Westcliffe Elementary is helping all students develop the world class skills of the profile of the South Carolina graduate by honoring our school mission statement, “In cooperation with home and community, our school prepares students to be life-long learners and citizens of good character in an ever-changing world.” Working to ensure that Westcliffe's students become life-long learners is the focus of faculty and staff members as we challenge students to always strive to reach their full potential.
Westcliffe teachers continue to refine their teaching, using the most effective instructional strategies in their classrooms. Strategies include Thinking Maps, computer coding, researched based literacy instruction following the LETRS model, and Write from the Beginning and Beyond. These programs provide instruction to optimize learning for our students.
Another way the Westcliffe staff supports learning for our children is working with Math and Reading interventionists who help provide support to eligible students from kindergarten through fifth grade. We are very proud of the strong history of academic success for Westcliffe students.
In addition to our academic programs, we provide various programs that focus on the development of the whole child. We believe that character development and physical well-being are integral parts of our students' success. Through our school-wide guidance counseling program, Westcliffe students learn about life skills, character traits, and careers. In connection with Prisma Health, we use Conscious Discipline strategies, a program developed to meet the social emotional needs of learners. Programs centered on health and wellness such as Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety teach valuable life skills. Teachers and staff also work with our students on having good manners, being honest, serving others as well as being organized and having a personal responsibility to self and others at all times.
Westcliffe is thankful for the partnerships that consistently support our students. Partners include Bradshaw Institute at Prisma Health System, The Cliffs Communities, School Photographers of America, Trailer Source of Greenville, Greenville Federal Credit Union, South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Horace Mann Insurance, Public Education Partners, Greenville County Library, Greenville County First Steps, and Neighborhood Focus. Our community partners support our students through activities like hosting a Summer Reading Program, providing take home books for all of our students, kindergarten through fifth grade, tee shirts for our students and staff, taking part in the after-school program, and student transportation and tickets for South Carolina Children’s Theatre performances. Many of the community partners are involved with our community outreach program, Westcliffe On Wheels, when Westcliffe staff members and community partners gather several times a year in our community to provide support and materials to our students and their families. Families and students interact with staff and community partners through activities that promote academics as well as address the some needs outside of school that families might have. Westcliffe on Wheels provides common ground for the school and home to come together and have fun while sharing valuable information and community services that are available to families. Additional partners for Westcliffe on Wheels include United Way of Greenville County, DSS SNAP to Work, Neighborhood Focus, and the Berea Fire Department. Children always enjoy seeing the fire truck and smoke house simulator and learning about fire safety. Westcliffe on Wheels has also provided, through community partners, information on internet safety, getting a library card, health and wellness and social services.
At Westcliffe Elementary, the faculty and staff believe the school, family, and community share the educational responsibility for our children. Westcliffe Elementary is privileged to serve children, families, and the community. Working together we strive to meet the needs of our students as they begin the journey toward developing skills to become college and career ready graduates.
Karen Fisher, Chair of the School Improvement Council
Beth Farmer, Principal
