James Simons Elementary School is a Title I Montessori school located in downtown Charleston. We serve children three years old through grade eight with a current enrollment of approximately 400 students. Our staff holds high standards for themselves as well as each student. They are passionate about teaching and learning and have created a positive, nurturing school environment that exemplifies our school motto of Peace, Passion, and Purpose. Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by implementing the Montessori curriculum. The Montessori approach promotes children’s inherent love of learning by giving them the opportunity to be spontaneous and engage in meaningful activities under the guidance of a trained instructor. The Montessori classroom provides a prepared environment where children can be driven naturally to work and learn. Children develop concentration, motivation, persistence, and self-discipline within this framework. They progress at their own pace and rhythm according to their individual capabilities. The organized curriculum presents lessons simply and concretely in the early years, and then introduces them again in a more abstract and complex manner during subsequent years.
Professional Development is an integral part of our school week based on a variety of school data. A Response to Intervention Model (RTI) is fully implemented at James Simons. Students receive instructional supports based on data. This year we implemented an accelerated literacy block. Reading proficiency goals were exceeded across all grade levels with the exception of grades three and seven.
Increased student leadership and decision making are in place through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The PBIS model is practiced school-wide with student recognition for appropriate choices in and out of school. Our goal for PBIS is to improve immediate behavior, as well as provide students with life skills necessary for positive and productive decision making. Our PBIS model is shared with families to assist with the transition of concepts within the home. We look forward to sharing our family matrix with parents/guardians during the 2019-2020 school year.
Collaboration with community agencies continues in an effort to provide assistance for specific student and family needs. Parents are provided with information and resources to enhance student learning throughout the school year. Communication includes on-going parent sessions, daily homework folders, monthly event calendars, newsletters, phone calls, e-mails, report cards, progress reports, notes, and conferences.
James Simons Elementary School is one of four schools in Charleston supported by Charleston Promise Neighborhood (CPN), a nonprofit organization modeled after the highly successful Harlem Children’s Zone project and designed to ensure that every child and family has supports they need to thrive. A few of the services provided through CPN include health services, family engagement opportunities, and field trips.
Continuous efforts to increase parental involvement include vigorously recruiting parents to attend school events, volunteer, and participate in decision-making teams. We believe that community involvement is a vital component of school success and are proud of our committed partners – two Universities, several churches, our mayor’s office, and many local businesses.
Christine Ryan, Principal
Aaron Whitney, SIC Chair
