Douglas Elementary School (DES) is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing an academically stimulating learning environment where students are nurtured and challenged to reach their full potential. This environment is provided through the implementation of our school vision to provide a safe and stimulating environment where our students can receive a quality education that promotes strong academic and social skills to use in a culturally diverse society. We have provided the following programs to assist with our school’s vision: Open House and Curriculum night; Math and Science Title One Night; Veterans' Day Program; Christmas Night: 100 th Day Celebrations; Read Across America; Father/Daughter and Mother /Son Family Dance Night; and IREADY Celebrations.
We are also working to teach our students positive behavior. Positive behavior is rewarded through Student of the Month recognition.
To meet the mission at Douglas Elementary we provide engaging educational opportunities that encourage positive academics and social growth through critical thinking and problem-solving skills. DES continues to maintain high expectations for students in relation to academic performance and growth. Teachers at DES are highly qualified, dedicated teachers who believe in meeting the needs of each and every child. Led by our leadership team, professional development focused on our school’s need for improvement is provided weekly. This year our professional development focused on increasing our math scores district wide.
Our school’s instructional coach met routinely and engaged in powerful opportunities for professional growth focusing on lesson pacing guides, collaboration with teachers across all schools during the school day, and fair and rigorous classroom evaluations to improve teaching skills. 50% of teachers at Douglas Elementary School have completed two of LETRs professional learning. The other 50% are at various stages in the LETRS Professional development. PD is based on student data that has been carefully analyzed to identify areas of strengths and areas of concern in student learning. This process helps teachers become the best they can be by giving them opportunities to learn better teaching strategies. We are working hard to learn about and implement best practices so that all of our school community is speaking a common academic language. Effective classroom strategies include phonics, phonemic awareness, small group reading, independent reading, and daily writing. We also used a research-based math program IReady which provided rigorous hands-on math strategies. We support students who require additional instruction in reading and math through the multi-level intervention process through MTSS. Teachers are working to implement total participation techniques, so every student achieves academic success.
At DES we fully believe that it takes a village to raise a child. For the 2025-2026 school year, our district is adding a full basketball court to our newly renovated playground. We have also partnered with our local community to provide school supplies, coats, shoes, and appreciation items for teachers. Our students, staff, parents, and community work together as a team as we prepare and develop our students to be the future South Carolina graduates and world leaders of tomorrow.
Windie Burton, Principal
