James Island Elementary School is a neighborhood STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) school committed to building lifelong, 21st-century learners with skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, James Island Elementary delivered rigorous, standards-based instruction to students through in-person and virtual learning environments. Although some students were learning from home this school year, our curricular program was enriched with virtual field trips, guest speakers in the arts and sciences, and Zoom participation in a hybrid learning environment.
James Island Elementary School fosters collaboration with productive interdisciplinary cooperation among our teaching staff. Our teachers work together, both within and among different grade levels, on thematic units and family events such as our virtual Family Reading Night, Virtual Music Concert, Prize Patrol “Get Caught Reading” Program, and on Family Math and Science Nights.
We are committed to the health and wellness of our students and staff. Students engage in social-emotional learning in the classroom and receive enriching guidance instruction. In addition, our Wellness Team encourages teachers and students to make healthy choices with the creation of Wellness Monthly challenges, a designated Wellness Room, and the revitalization of our school garden. James Island Elementary School was the recipient of the 2020-2021 Boeing MUSC Wellness Grand Prize award for our outstanding commitment to health and wellness.
As a STEAM school, we value creativity and arts education in all facets of our school. Our understanding of creativity extends beyond the arts and into creative approaches to our academics. During the 2020-2021 school year, we partnered with the Besharat Arts Foundation Museum and Gallery to display “The Faces of Innocence” exhibit featuring the photography of Steve McCurry. This partnership was one way we overcame the obstacles of COVID-19 by bringing the outside world into our learning environment. In addition, our teachers and staff worked closely with our related arts teachers to develop synergistic projects by weaving arts and academic curricula together via science and social studies units.
Jonetta Gregory, Principal
Kathryn Cockril, SIC Co-Chair
Katharine Marsico, SIC Co-Chair