Bethel Elementary School is helping all students develop world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the Graduate by engaging children in a nurturing learning environment and providing a quality education. We provide such an environment through the implementation of our school vision: “Cardinals Fly High”. We demonstrate this vision by encouraging students to dream big and reach their goals, implementing a continuous improvement model for student achievement, and offering a variety of learning experiences including academic and enrichment activities.
We are an award winning school with a history of academic excellence. During the 2016 school year, Bethel was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. In recent years, Bethel has received awards for Palmetto’s Finest, Palmetto Gold, Red Carpet, Greenville County Elementary Healthy School of the Year, and Greenville County Safety Award. The faculty, staff, and community provide an annual update to our school portfolio to guide our direction for the future and to comply with accreditation requirements. Our school goals focus on academic achievement, professional development, technology integration, and community relations. Specific strategies are developed to support the attainment of each goal.
Since 1997, multiage classes have been an innovative option to consider in lieu of a traditional classroom setting. Our Primary Multiage consists of first and second graders, while our Intermediate Multiage has third and fourth graders. Thematic projects, literature circles, and cooperative learning centers are incorporated based on curriculum standards.
Technology integration is an important aspect of the elementary curriculum at Bethel. Teachers and students utilize technology on a daily basis while teaching and learning. Students utilize Chromebooks to work on research and other assignments. Students in third through fifth grade engage in 1:1 classroom environments using Chromebooks that travel between home and school. The media center promotes technology with the use of iPads, Chromebooks, and makerspace activities. The addition of 3D printers has seen the development of 3D print projects, including an ornament design fundraiser that supported families in our community during the holidays. The media specialist works with teachers and students to support creative ways to share their ideas and research through technology.
The counseling staff provides a high level of support services for our students. These services include school-wide character education, parent education, mentoring programs, classroom instruction, and small group and individual counseling. Mentor Upstate is a wonderful partnership that intentionally pairs students and mentors with similar interests, backgrounds, and challenges that helps cultivate our students' confidence and academic success. The school counselors conduct monthly classroom guidance lessons that are based on Sean Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. This curriculum teaches children seven principles that focus on social-leadership skills, problem solving, and successful communication. Fourth and fifth grade students explore and investigate careers using SCOIS (SC Occupational Information System). Career interest inventories are completed and portfolios are created which expose students to career clusters.
Our reputation of providing a quality education, caring faculty, and outstanding student achievement is a reflection of the high expectations of our stakeholders. Parents and the community value education as evidenced by PTA membership and dedicated volunteers. PTA actively supports our school through fundraising and volunteer efforts. Parents have a wide range of opportunities to be involved in their child’s education. The active involvement of the school’s PTA helps provide integral programs that benefit all of our students.
Bethel Elementary prides itself on the community aspect that brings home and school together through various activities hosted by the school and PTA. Our Burgers with the Bald Guy Open House promotes a casual family night for families to meet with their child's teacher and learn about the year. Our Bethel Bash is a carnival that offers a fun night for families while also supporting our PTA's efforts. Our media center leads the distribution of our Bethel Bots program that allows families to bring our robotics curriculum during the school week or over the weekends as well. Currently, the programs lends Dash and Sphero bots to our families. Holiday and buddy lunches fill our cafeteria with visitors by the 1,000s as do annual holiday concerts and poetry slams by our students.
