Mt. Zion Elementary School supports all students to develop the world-class skills of the South Carolina Graduate profile by implementing strategies and programs that build our students' creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.

Our mission, working in partnership with students, staff, parents, and the community, is to ensure that all students are provided a high-quality education through a curriculum that utilizes content advancement, the analysis of abstract themes and concepts, the development of complex thinking processes, and the transformation of learning into creative products.

We have partnered with Kiawah Cares to develop a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) initiative at Mt. Zion, with a dedicated STEAM teacher utilizing the PLTW Launch curriculum for CD - 5th grade students. Our math teachers and administrators have been trained in Ongoing Assessment Practices (OGAP) to support building students’ conceptual understanding in mathematics. 

Our faculty members have continued to develop students’ ability to read and write creatively and critically while building deep background knowledge through the implementation of the content-rich Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum.  The majority of our teachers have completed the two-year Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training, which has deepened our collective knowledge of best practices in the science of reading and has enabled us to target our students’ individual needs through specific interventions. 

This year we continued to welcome volunteers into the building for Reading Partners as well as through two “Reading Role Models” events, where diverse stakeholders came into our classrooms to read engaging books. We have continued to benefit from rich partnerships with Ground Swell Capital, Waterproof Inc., and Support Mt. Zion Kids, all of which have allowed us to invest significantly in our students’ well-being in support of initiatives such as the Water Wise water safety program and school mentors. 

We believe this combination of curriculum and wraparound strategies for students, partnered with professional development and support for our staff members, allows us to prepare each student to reach their full potential and will enable us to support all of our students to read on grade level or above by fifth grade in 2027.

Anna Mims, Principal

Joanna Buffington & Corrie Nixon, SIC Co-Chairs