Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School remains steadfast in its mission to help all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. We do this by providing a rigorous, engaging, and inclusive academic environment where every child is supported and challenged to reach their full potential. Our vision, "To educate ALL students to the highest levels of academic achievement and empower them to build emotional, social, and physical well-being", is deeply embedded in our instructional practices, ensuring a cohesive and nurturing educational experience for all learners.
Serving a diverse population of 546 students in Pre-K through 5th grade, our school celebrates the richness that comes from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. We believe in cultivating leadership in every child by providing a variety of opportunities for student voice, choice, and active involvement. Initiatives such as Bee Ambassadors, Student Government, the Morning News Show, Beautification Club, and the Busy Bee Postal Service all give students meaningful ways to lead and serve within our school community.
Central to our commitment to student leadership is the implementation of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). AVID empowers students by equipping them with essential skills needed to become confident, self-directed learners and future leaders. Through AVID, students are encouraged to set meaningful goals, take ownership of their learning, and actively engage in critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and effective communication. By fostering these competencies, AVID prepares our students for both academic and life success. Schoolwide, students engage daily in WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading), which are seamlessly integrated into core instruction and cultivate habits of lifelong learning.
Our ongoing commitment to excellence has earned us numerous accolades and recognitions, including:
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2025 National Merit School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America for our ACE Magnet Program
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Magnet Schools of America Certified Demonstration School (ACE)
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2024–2025 AVID Certified Site
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Accreditation through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement
Creating a supportive and inclusive school environment is essential to nurturing the whole child. Our school-wide behavior expectations, the 4 BEES: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be a Leader, are the foundation of our positive school culture. These core values guide student behavior, promote character development, and are consistently reinforced through assemblies, classroom discussions, and recognition programs. We are proud of the many ways our students embody these principles daily, creating a school climate where respect, accountability, and kindness thrive.
Our teachers are committed to continuous professional growth, consistently implementing strategies to meet the evolving needs of our students. Through approaches such as Response to Intervention (RTI), differentiated Instruction, collaborative planning, and the use of formative and summative assessments to inform instruction, we ensure that every child receives the personalized support necessary for success. We also recognize that strong partnerships between the school, families, and the broader community are vital. By closely working with parents, guardians, and community members, we foster open communication and collaboration in support of student achievement and well-being.
At Lonnie B. Nelson, learning extends beyond the classroom walls. Our students actively participate in real-world experiences that develop a strong sense of civic responsibility. The Academy for Civic Engagement (ACE), our school-within-a-school magnet program, offers students immersive learning opportunities focused on government, economics, & service learning. Whether partnering with local organizations or leading service projects, ACE inspires students to engage meaningfully with their communities and create lasting, positive change in the world.
As we look to the future, Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary remains committed to continuous improvement, academic excellence, and fostering a safe and supportive learning environment. We will continue to cultivate a community where every student believes in our shared mission: “Learning to lead, leading to learn betters myself, home, school, and world.”
Dr. Maranda Hayward, Principal
Mr. Marcus Polite, SIC Chairperson
