Luther Vaughan Elementary School (LVES) is helping all students develop the World Class Skills encompassed in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment.
Luther Vaughan has a goal of intentionally providing a challenging and meaningful curriculum with a high degree of student engagement that is also supported by real-world connections. We seek to provide a robust academic experience through differentiated, student-centered instruction with a special emphasis given to the 4 C’s: (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication). All while our highly qualified staff maximizes the educational experience for all students by providing a solid foundation for mastery in all content areas. Our unique, student-centered, and innovative instructional program includes Next Steps to Guided Reading (NSGR), project-based learning, 1:1 devices, guided math, and the RISE intervention program.
Effective educational technology integration is a key aspect of the elementary curriculum at Luther Vaughan. Teachers and students utilize technology on a daily basis while teaching and learning. Teachers collaborated to design units of study that included the use of technology for research and project-based learning opportunities that increased engagement, fostered student creativity, improved communication skills, and encouraged collaboration. All students have access to iXL activities, iReady, DreamBox, and other supplemental education tools. The media specialist collaborates with teachers and students to support creative ways of sharing ideas through research and technology.
The school counseling department provides a high level of support for our students. These services include school-wide character education, parent education, mentoring programs, classroom instruction, small group intervention, and individual counseling. The school counselor conducts bi-weekly classroom guidance lessons. In alignment with our mission to ensure that all students have the opportunity to become responsible, productive citizens in 21st century society by providing a variety of learning experiences that address the diverse needs of every student, our counselor arranges numerous opportunities for our students to interact with colleges throughout their career at LVES. Each year, students participate in several college student days, tour campuses, and watch sporting events. The school counselor invites college students and business professionals to visit LVES and speak with the students to provide inspiration and guidance.
In our ongoing efforts to develop the “Whole Child,” our school opened The Champion Savers Credit Union, an in-house, school-based branch location of the local credit union for our students. The credit union was established to assist students in becoming more aware of the importance of financial literacy and applying real-world connections to math skills they are learning in the classroom. Students increased their oral and written communication skills by applying and interviewing for various positions within the bank. Students continued to enhance their communication skills by interacting weekly with students as they made deposits into their bank accounts. The student bank accounts are real accounts that allow students to begin saving at an early age. By saving early, students will be on a successful financial path when they graduate high school.
Supporting the Whole Child requires an intentional partnership with our parents and community. Families are welcome to visit classrooms, eat lunch with their child, attend programs that highlight student performances, and participate in various parenting seminars presented by the school’s home school coordinator. In partnership with community organizations, we were able to provide book bags for each child filled with grade-level specific school supplies and some supplies for our teachers and staff. We appreciate the partnerships that we continue to cultivate with our families and community. These elements have played an essential role in ensuring students from LVES are responsible and respectful students ready for the next step in their educational journey.
Our theme for 2021-2022 has been “Together We Will Rise.” Through this theme, Luther Vaughan Elementary is evolving into a first class educational institution, continuing our quest to develop creative thinkers, and responsible leaders who can collaborate with their peers to excel as global 21st century learners.
Justin Garrett, SIC chair, Mrs. Loretta A. Holmes, Principal
