Drayton Hall Elementary School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by ensuring that all staff members are committed to excellence. This is achieved through a rigorous curriculum, setting high expectations for all students, and utilizing a one-to-one learning environment that integrates iPads into daily instruction. Our school culture emphasizes creativity and a collaborative environment. The utilization of South Carolina College and Career Readiness Standards ensures that all students receive a detailed, individualized education that meets their learning needs. Enrichment opportunities are provided through co-planning, co-teaching, and itinerant teachers to meet the needs of all students.
We are recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for our commitment to innovation and technology integration in education. Students collaborate, communicate, and problem solve using the iPad as one tool to demonstrate their learning.
In order to meet the Charleston County School District’s goal of all 5th grade students reading on grade level by 2027, we strategically utilized our literacy interventionists, adopted the EL Reading curriculum last school year, and hired an additional literacy interventionist for the 2023 -2024 school year. CCSD provided additional adaptive digital content to support literacy for Kindergarten to 5th grade. We fully implemented the Bridges math curriculum during the 2021-2022 school year and continue to use it. Drayton Hall Elementary piloted the Second Steps social-emotional learning curriculum several years ago. It has helped reduce the number of behavior referrals to the office and allowed for a better level of collaboration among students. Using the Second Steps curriculum, the guidance counselor and teachers taught specific skills to support student collaboration, conversation skills, and problem solving to our students. During the 2022 - 2023 school year we made several positive modifications to our PBIS as well.
The principal participated in professional development called Leverage Leadership. This professional development provides a framework for teachers to deepen their understanding of possible learning gaps for future instruction, real learning gaps for current instruction, and a framework for addressing those learning gaps.
Our PTA will continue to be involved in school planning by providing materials to support instruction and rewarding students for achievement. We continue to be proud of our student-produced morning news show. The Kaleidoscope program at Drayton Hall offers interactive before- and after-school care.
A rigorous curriculum, collegiality, strong leadership, and clear goals define our successes. At Drayton Hall Elementary School, we believe that educating the students in our attendance area makes our families’ community stronger and we are part of building a better Charleston.
Brian Agnew, Principal
Laura Elsey, SIC Chair
