Coosa Elementary School assists students in developing World Class Skills, along with life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina graduate. We foster and promote an environment where students are actively engaged in 21st century learning.
We are honored to be the flagship Leader in Me School in Beaufort County, the 12th elementary school in South Carolina, and one of the Leader In Me Schools internationally to have been honored with Lighthouse status based on Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s books, The Leader in Me and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The Leader in Me philosophy encourages students to make good choices through planning ahead by setting goals, working well with others and taking care of themselves - mind, body and spirit. These practices are embedded into the curriculum and modeled daily by our staff, reinforcing it to our students and community. All students who attend Coosa Elementary are considered leaders and are provided opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills throughout the school year.
Coosa Elementary provides support for students through the Multi-Tiered System and Supports, as well as provides challenging curriculum for students in our Gifted and Talented Program. We provide an academically challenging curriculum that encourages students to develop innovative and authentic solutions to real world situations, working both collaboratively and independently. Through our instructional practices, students gain confidence and take ownership of their learning! Teachers and students collaboratively work together through units that enable students to ask the right questions, research information, and evaluate data to both answer questions and communicate solutions that foster a students’ natural curiosity.
Our staff takes pride in being lifelong learners. We consistently research new teaching methods and applications which enable us to improve instructional practices. This professional growth ensures students receive the needed skills in order to meet the challenges they will encounter in the future. This year, faculty members enrolled in a gardening course through Clemson Extension that focused on implementing a school-wide gardening program. This course prepared them to instruct students with planting and harvesting produce for the local food bank. Of course, students are given the opportunity to sample everything they grow!
Our Pre-K-1 students are issued iPads and our 2-5 students are issued individual laptops. This enables students to extend their learning and incorporate technology across all content areas. In addition, the school is equipped with a computer lab for further technological use, and a STEM Lab in which students attend weekly lessons. We have implemented a competitive Robotics Program that teaches students to design, code and operate STEM designs. Teachers utilize interactive boards within the classroom to assist with presenting engaging lessons.
The success of Coosa Elementary is demonstrated through the involvement, collaboration, and participation of dedicated students, parents, staff and community members that value and see the need for a quality education. Volunteers and parents dedicate both valuable time and assistance that provide an invaluable support system for our students and staff!
Melissa Pender, Principal
