Mitchell Math and Science Elementary is helping all students develop the World Class Skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by focusing on critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Our mission at Mitchell Elementary is to "create a safe, supportive, and loving environment where all students can become independent and lifelong learners."
Mitchell Elementary is part of Charleston County School District's "Acceleration Schools Initiative," which focuses on serving our students' academic, social, and cultural needs and works alongside staff, families, and our community to develop and support the whole child.
We are excited to become a Leader in Me school in the 2023-2024 school year. Our staff and students will be trained in Stephen Covey's 7 Highly Effective Habits. These leadership habits will be embedded into our school day.
Our top priorities continue to be student achievement and academic growth. All students have access but are engaged in the high-quality, grade-level curriculum of EL (Expeditionary Learning- EL) for ELA and Bridges for math instruction. We have a full-time Science teacher. All CD-1st grade students access the lab monthly, and 2nd-5th grade students visit the lab weekly. Students have hands-on experiences with science while in the lab setting and the outdoor gardens. Literacy and math instruction are embedded into the lesson. In addition, our related arts teachers embed these skills into their lessons.
At Mitchell Elementary, we support and foster collaboration with our staff to provide the best education for our scholars. We have partnerships with Leading Educators and Darden University that provide professional development for teachers and administration. Teachers also participate in weekly Professional Learning Communities to discuss strategies and lessons and make data-based decisions for instruction.
We are committed to growing our partnership and communication with our families. We have continued to increase communication with parents and the community by updating our website, Facebook, and frequent contact with families using Classroom Dojo. We hosted Mitchell Family Nights, including a Literacy Night and Black History Celebration. Students also were a part of Christmas and Black History concerts. Students also participated in D20 concert events.
We have a wide range of community partnerships contributing to our health and wellness focus. Charleston Hope supports our scholars with additional social and emotional time embedded within the school day and after school. In addition, we collaborate with the Green Heart Project to show the importance of growing your vegetables and incorporating fresh fruit and vegetables into a healthy lifestyle. Empowered Minds supports our scholars with yoga in the classrooms.
Along with the strong community support, the vast number of volunteers, and the many partnerships, we feel Mitchell is a true "Gem of the City."
Dr. Amber Sainz, Principal
Courtney Canosa, SIC Chair
