Mt. Zion Elementary School is helping all students develop world class skills of the South Carolina Graduate profile by implementing strategies and programs that build our students' creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
Our mission, working in partnership with students, staff, parents, and the community, is to ensure that all students are provided a high-quality education through a curriculum that utilizes content advancement, analysis of abstract themes or concepts, development of complex thinking processes, and transformation of learning into creative products.
We have partnered with Kiawah Cares to develop a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) initiative at Mt. Zion, with teachers completing training for Project Lead the Way Launch, as well as implementing a “STEAM Olympics” this school year, among other STEM/STEAM challenges and learning opportunities. Our teachers have also been trained in Ongoing Assessment Practices (OGAP) to further their knowledge of teaching math conceptually, by building students’ conceptual understanding.
Following a pilot in January 2022 for grades K-5, faculty and staff are continuing to develop students’ ability to read and write creatively and critically while building deep background knowledge through the implementation of the EL Education literacy curriculum. In addition, our K-3 staff continues to implement small group reading and writing instruction under the guidance of the University of Florida Lastinger Institute through our partnership with Trident United Way. In the fall of 2022, our K-3 staff will embark on LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training, which will deepen knowledge of best practices in the science of reading. The faculty, staff, and parents look forward to seeing the results of the strategies designed to increase students’ ability to read and write critically and to think creatively to solve problems.
We have worked with multiple community partners to increase wraparound supports and services for our students in light of the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Trident United Way, Kiawah Cares, Whirlpool Care Counts, Support Mt. Zion Kids, Backpack Buddies, the Morton Family Foundation, Reading Partners, Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club, and Lowcountry Orphan Relief.
We believe this combination of curriculum and wraparound strategies for students combined with professional development and support for our staff members will prepare our students to reach their full potential and read on grade level by 5th grade in 2027.
