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 2021-2022 school year, James Island Elementary delivered rigorous, standards-based instruction to students through in-person instruction. 

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, Music Concerts, 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. During the 2021-22 school year we received the first place district award for our commitment to 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 school year our art teacher worked collaboratively with grade levels to develop synergistic projects that weave art and academic curricula together in science and social studies units. Our students also had the opportunity to sculpt animals chosen during the ecology unit of their science education and incorporate key natural history elements. 

Jonetta Gregory, Principal

Kathryn Cockril, SIC Co-Chair

Katharine Marsico, SIC Co-Chair