At Centerville Elementary School, education means more than simply preparing students for the next grade level. Since opening our doors in August 2020, we have proudly served the Gilbert community as a vibrant hub of innovation and belonging. Housed in a 128,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art campus, our school features flexible classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and welcoming common areas designed to spark curiosity and foster connection. Here, our mission is guided by the Lexington County School District One Graduate Profile, centering on three core beliefs: that all students can learn, that the right conditions for learning are within our control, and that every child holds unique gifts, passions and dreams that can take them anywhere.
We bring this mission to life daily by developing well-rounded individuals who embody the essential competencies of the Lexington One Graduate Profile. Our students grow into effective communicators who listen and share ideas respectfully, and creative thinkers who innovate and persevere through challenges. They become collaborative team players, resilient learners who embrace feedback, and kind citizens who act with empathy and integrity. By teaching students to apply academic content in real-world ways, set independent goals, and practice personal and social responsibility, we ensure they leave our halls fully prepared for the future.
To ensure these competencies are accessible to every child, Centerville Elementary uses strategic Title I funding and professional collaboration to support diverse learning needs. We utilize reading and math interventionists for targeted academic instruction, ensuring each student receives the support they need. Behind the scenes, our educators actively participate in weekly collaborative team meetings based on the PLC at Work (Professional Learning Communities) model. Through this approach, teachers collaborate with administrators, literacy coach and math coach to dive deep into student data, identify specific learning needs and create targeted instructional plans. By analyzing exactly who is mastering the content and who needs additional support, our teachers ensure that core classroom instruction is tailored to meet the distinct needs of every individual student.
These foundational academic skills are put into action in every corner of our campus, extending naturally beyond the regular school day through a rich variety of extracurricular opportunities. For students in grades 1–5, our Learning Clubs offer a dynamic space to explore personal interests and build character. Clubs like World Cultures and Kitchens, Outdoor Adventure, Mastermind Board Games, and Aviator Art encourage students to become knowledgeable creative thinkers and problem solvers. Meanwhile, our Aviator Performing Arts and Aviator Chorus programs build immense personal confidence and strong collaboration skills, while the Archery Club fosters focus, discipline, and resilience.
This commitment to the whole child is further reflected in our structured afterschool programs, where students learn to apply their resilience in competitive and cooperative arenas. The Run Hard program promotes fitness and personal responsibility, teaching students to build endurance and push past physical and mental challenges. Additionally, our 21st Century afterschool program proudly served 75 students last year, providing vital tutoring, enrichment and snacks in a supportive setting that reinforces independent learning. The CES Archery Team routinely adds new trophies to our display case, representing our school with the utmost pride and demonstrating the exact perseverance we strive to instill in every Aviator.
Just as our students support one another in learning clubs, extracurriculars and in the classroom, family and community engagement form the absolute heart of who we are. Our dedicated family liaison connects families with essential attendance and academic support, strengthening the connection between home and school. Through strong partnerships with local churches and community organizations, we are also able to meet our students' fundamental needs by providing weekend food bags, school supplies, mental health referrals and holiday assistance, allowing them to focus fully on their education. Groups like our School Improvement Council (SIC) and Community Partnership Action Team play active roles in shaping our school's priorities and building lasting local relationships. This collective community spirit was beautifully displayed in our recent musical production of Finding Nemo Kids, which featured 120 student performers from grades 3–5 and brought together more than 1,000 proud family and community members. The magical performance was a perfect blend of collaboration, communication, and creative expression, showcasing exactly how far our students can go when an entire community stands behind them.
Ultimately, we believe that ensuring every single student reaches their full potential is a collective responsibility shared by all of us — educators, families, and community members alike. At Centerville Elementary, we live by the mantra that no one flies alone; we are one crew, one flight, one mission. Whether our students are completing an academic task, painting a masterpiece, practicing their aim in archery, running the final lap of a race or simply offering a kind word to a classmate, they are supported by a unified team dedicated to their success. Together, we give our Aviators the tools to thrive, living out the promise we make to every child who walks through our doors: Start here. Go anywhere!
Lauren Vann, Principal
Stacey Ashley, SIC Chair
