Windsor Elementary is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, nurturing, caring, and academically enriched environment, where all children are challenged to reach their full potential. Through our International Baccalaureate program and implementation of AVID, all students in grades K-5 are taught through an inquiry process where active learning and student engagement is the main focus. Students are taught daily to explore, investigate, and develop a high level of thinking. In addition, through AVID our students are developing agency of their learning through expanding their organizational skills. Our schools’ focus aligns with the district’s model of Learning, Character, Community, and Joy.
Our students learn inquiry processes daily through the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) units of study. As a culmination of this learning, fifth grade students hold an Exhibition to share their inquiry based project with the school and community. Through the focus on the 21st Century Skills of Communication, Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, students are provided an opportunity to showcase their personal talents and demonstrate leadership in planning, designing, and implementation of their project. Students are engaged in a rigorous learning environment that grows their world class skills and demonstrate the characteristics of the “Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.” In continuation, our students consistently demonstrate leadership and the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Students have ongoing guidance support through lessons using the IB curriculum and are consistently provided opportunities to seek ways to impact their community through service learning. Character development is key and is an ongoing focus among our student leadership organizations.
Teachers engage in an ongoing cycle of learning, always striving to improve instructional practices to best support teaching and learning. They are reflective of their instructional decisions driven by the in-depth review of data. Through this cycle of data informed decision-making from a variety of assessment sources, teachers adapt their instruction to improve student achievement outcomes. Windsor teachers are adept at inquiry based learning, Response to Intervention, and strategies for differentiation in the tier one setting. Our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support allow us to meet the needs of all students. Programs like Response to Intervention (RTI) provide students with the support needed to become successful learners. Through student screenings at the beginning of the school year with Easy CBM, appropriate reading and math levels are determined. With the use of Mastery Connect, extended planning and quarterly data conferences, teachers are able to accurately address all student needs and accelerate learning. Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) are incorporated to determine if students met growth goals in reading and/or math.
Our students and faculty are actively involved in the community and we believe those partnerships are essential in developing 21st Century learners. We have ongoing opportunities throughout the year to engage families and the community in rich experiences at Windsor Elementary. At the beginning of the year, Open House is scheduled for students and teachers to meet and community organizations including the Richland County Sheriff Department, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, and STEM for Kids to share information with our families. Throughout the year, Windsor hosts a variety of other events to include curriculum nights where families are given information on the South Carolina Curriculum Standards, WE Fest, and Windsor’s Spring Gala. These events are held yearly to entertain families and bring the community together. We also host a yearly Black History Program, Veteran’s Day Program, We Pink We Can Cancer Walk, Cultural Arts Day and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We are committed to service to our community through planning culturally rich and diverse learning experiences for students and families that will have a positive impact on our community.
Our school theme, PAWS Up, encompasses the school's character education focus at Windsor. Our belief is that when we practice persistence, accountability, are well-balanced, and safe then we will show growth and make progress. In all we do, we celebrate our successes and share joy. Teachers and staff members are given a platform to celebrate successes and students are a part of the learning team when they are recognized for academic and behavioral success that is personalized for each student. PAWS Up is a part of the Windsor culture where students are being developed as future leaders and scholars for tomorrow. Authentic and meaningful educational experiences are a part of the Windsor learning culture. Through these endeavors, we will best prepare our students to be life and career ready. We value our stakeholders’ ongoing support in growing better together!
DeAnna Savage, Principal
Anthony Bracy, School Improvement Council Chair
