Our school, Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center (HHIECC) is helping all students develop world class skills and knowledge, as well as the life and career characteristics of the Profile of the Graduate. HHIECC accomplishes this by creating an environment that promotes curiosity, exploration and self-expression. Children are also encouraged to become actively engaged in their own learning. We have a remarkable staff of collegial professionals who believe that all children can achieve success academically and socially/emotionally. The total number of students attending HHIECC for the 2021- 2022 school year was 363 students (240 Kindergarten, 120 PK4, and 11PK3). We meet the individual needs of our diverse population of young students, with over 60% of our Kindergarten students receiving free or reduced lunch and 44% of our Kindergarten students coming from homes whose primary language is not English. Our Pre-Kindergarten classrooms are comprised of students who qualify for our program through the ChildFind process. Both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten teachers work diligently with individual children, small groups and whole group, meanwhile differentiating instruction and using best practices to meet students’ needs.
HHIECC has a history of academic progress and achievement. In Spring 2021 over 83% of our students in reading and 84% in math left our school at or above norm grade level mean on the nationally normed Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. This was during a year under Covid-19 restrictions and adjustments (virtual learning, hybrid learning, and face-to-face instruction.)
Interventions are a key to the success of many struggling students. ESOL, Literacy, and Title I tutors support the learning in a small group setting. Progress, or lack of, is documented and monitored through our Response to Intervention (RtI) Process. Students with Individual Educational Plans (I.E.P.) work towards goals outlined in their plan and are reviewed at least annually.
HHIECC is technologically rich, with students and teachers having access to Interactive White Boards, laptops, and iPads to supplement instruction. Our students have access to many online instructional tools at school and at home to support learning.
Related Arts options for our Kindergarten students include: Explorations (Science and Social Studies based), Media/Technology, Physical Education and Music. Art class is done in a small class setting, in an art studio located between every two classrooms.
Our teachers communicate with parents regularly by phone, newsletters, communication apps such as Remind, and through Facebook. Teachers regularly provide parents with school happenings and updates. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to conduct our day and evening parent engagement sessions such as Family Math, Hands-on Literacy night, Parents as Partners, ESOL nights and “What’s Special about Specials?”
We are proud of our implementation of our award winning Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) program. We continue to support students doing their B.E.S.T.: Be kind, demonstrate Effort, show Self-control, and build Teamwork each day. Students receive “Gotcha” cards when they are caught demonstrating appropriate behaviors. We host assemblies to recognize students who are meeting or exceeding expectations.
Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center is a place where students are provided a foundation of skills in order to be successful in school and develop a love of learning!
Jane Misra: SIC Chair
Kim Bratt: Principal
