Duncan Elementary School of the Arts is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing every student quality education experiences in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. Engaged learners are more apt to be learners who are meeting and exceeding grade level expectations.
We are committed to providing world class knowledge through effective instruction based upon rigorous standards and curriculum. Our English Language Arts’ program is presented through a workshop approach. Each day students receive at least ninety minutes of uninterrupted reading instruction, thirty minutes of writing instruction, and an extra thirty minutes of support/intervention during what we call “Whatever I Need”(WIN) Time.
In Mathematics, our teachers view instruction through the constructive approach and conceptual learning. Typically, students use a “hands-on” approach to construct and deconstruct mathematical concepts to develop this understanding. Students work in collaborative groups as they construct their understanding and learn multiple approaches may be taken to solving problems.
Our teachers monitor student progress and plan for instruction through a variety of formative and summative assessments. One source of data is from iReady, an academic progress monitoring tool by Curriculum Associates, which is closely monitored to determine growth of students through the school year. Typically, students take the diagnostic in reading and math three times a year, in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. This diagnostic pinpoints students’ needs down to the sub-skill level. Through regular use of the iReady program designed for each student, these needs are addressed.
Percent of Students On or Above Grade Level (2023-2024 iReady)
Diagnostic #1 Diagnostic #2 Diagnostic #3
Fall Winter Spring
(Figures in RED indicate percentages the prior year, 2023-2024)
Reading 23.0% (20.4%) 48.0% (47.2%) 60.0% (58%)
Math 13.0% (8.4%) 36.0% (32.4%) 58.0% (54.4%)
Students in all grades received instruction in Visual Art, Instrumental Music, Choral Music, Dance, Theatre, and Physical Education. Our schoolwide musical this year was 101 Dalmatians which highlighted the talents of nearly 100 students and also highlighted our 4K students. Our Winter Showcase highlighted our focus groups and 5K students and our 3rd grade students led our Black History program in February. The Arts’ team has already met to plan more opportunities for the 2025-25 school year so that all grade levels will have more opportunities to perform. The future of the arts program at DESA is bright!
Our students and their families benefit from the support provided by our local Middle Tyger Community Center. Our Faith Community continued to partner with us to provide Backpacks of Hope for our students. Our students have the benefit of observing real-life application of life characteristics that are demonstrated by the community partners and resources around them.
Our parents are involved in a variety of ways at Duncan Elementary. Parents were involved at school through learning at home; through decision making; communicating; and collaborating with the community. It is through this collaboration that we share in the responsibility of educating our next generation of students and citizens.
Our highly qualified staff is involved in professional learning, and they are dedicated to providing exemplary educational opportunities and academic excellence to our students in order to improve the quality of their lives as well as improving our community. We are committed to living our district’s motto-”Every Child, Every Day.”
Marc Zachary, Principal Sommer Snyder, SIC Chair
