Our school is helping all students develop the World-Class Skills outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by transforming education through the implementation of college- and career-ready standards. Our primary focus at Arden Elementary School is to provide and ensure that all students have opportunities to participate in cross-curricular learning experiences that support their growth and development. These coordinated activities help students grow academically and prepare them to become lifelong learners.
Arden Elementary School, located in the southern region of Columbia, is an integral part of the North Columbia community. We proudly serve approximately 230 students in Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. At Arden, our diverse students, families, staff, and community partners work together to cultivate an inclusive learning environment where every child and staff member is empowered to learn, grow, and achieve their fullest potential.
We proudly maintain a positive learning environment as we work toward achieving academic excellence. Student growth and achievement in all areas continue to be top priorities for our diverse student population. To further accelerate student growth and achievement, our school implements the tenets of Visible Learning, a research-based framework that focuses on teachers and students working collaboratively to improve educational outcomes.
Arden Elementary utilizes a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework to help educators provide academic and behavioral strategies for students with varying needs. Teachers work collaboratively to develop standards-aligned lessons using a variety of instructional resources. They also utilize data to inform instructional practices. Our teachers are committed to ongoing professional development and work closely with instructional coaches to identify effective strategies and evidence-based instructional practices that support both teacher development and student learning.
In addition to providing a rigorous academic curriculum, Arden continues to focus on the development of the whole child by implementing mentoring and educational support programs such as the Midlands Reading Consortium, the Comprehensive Remediation Afterschool Tutoring Program (CRP), Arden Girls of Excellence, and other school-based partnerships. Over the past several years, students at Arden have continued to benefit from the implementation of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative, which strongly emphasizes positive social skills and the reduction of behavioral challenges. Students are recognized and rewarded for demonstrating positive behavior and academic achievement.
In addition, our students participate in extracurricular activities such as the Fitness Club and Disc Golf Club. Throughout the year, students also participate in advocacy groups and school clubs that provide encouragement, guidance, and support. Through the collaborative efforts of parents, teachers, and our community, students are empowered to reach their fullest potential while continuing to make Arden a great place to learn.
We are Arden Elementary—Rooted in Community, Growth, and Excellence!
Shameka Stephney, Principal
Melvin White, SIC Chair
