Belle Hall Elementary School’s mission is to develop skilled, respected, independent seekers of knowledge possessing World Class Skills by providing them rich, diverse, and challenging experiences. The school population of 720 students in Child Development (four-year olds) through the 5th grade has an enrollment of 81% Caucasian and 19% minority students. Instructional programs include various inclusion-based special education services, fine arts, technology, research projects, guidance groups, Accelerated Reader, chorus, recorder pipes, hand bells, and regular intervention groups for students needing academic assistance. A staff Multi-Tiered Systems of Support team based on a Response to Intervention protocol meets weekly to identify, monitor and support students in need and address any achievement gaps. Students may also participate in swimming, tennis, basketball and an after-school Kaleidoscope program among other extracurricular activities. Approximately half of the 3rd through 5th grade students qualify for the school district’s Gifted and Talented program. Opportunities to develop effective Life and Career Characteristics include school-wide participation in monthly charity drives, wellness programs, diversity awareness campaigns, Student Council, securing grants and career exploration activities. Our celebrated environmentally-aware Green Team features student-driven initiatives such as recycling, food composting and an interactive garden!
Beyond the traditional curriculum, all of our students have access to extra support via a technology lab instructor, literacy specialists, targeted academic intervention tutors and skills-building software programs. Our school setting is a safe and nurturing environment that promotes character development through regularly scheduled guidance classes, the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum and a school-wide Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) program. Additionally, numerous initiatives are facilitated by our proactive School Improvement Council and PTA!
Our school assists all students in developing the World Class Skills and Life & Career Characteristics from the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by emphasizing the acquisition of World Class Knowledge through rigorous academics based on the SC Curriculum Standards. This is evidenced by this report card data which reflects the spring of 2019 grades 3, 4 and 5 SC READY exam results, 4th and 5th grade SCPASS results and survey feedback from students and parents. In 2018-19, teachers focused on critical-thinking and problem-solving skills by implementing the Bridges math curriculum in kindergarten through 5th grade. The faculty also continued their professional development with OGAP math assessment and instruction training, as well as the FastBridge assessment program for kindergarten and 1st grade. Communication skills, both written and technological, were targeted by increasing student instruction in Text Dependent Analysis strategies and committing more learning time to adaptive software resources. Digital device academic support continues to increase thanks to the school attaining “1-to-1 status” in May 2019 with iPads and Chromebooks for every student. School-wide success was evidenced in the Spring 2019 Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) results, which showed every grade level exceeding the projected student growth in both Reading and Math.
We must continue efforts to strengthen our instructional core, provide intervention resources to classrooms and differentiate support for all students especially those who are under-performing. Securing adequate time for teacher planning and professional development remains a challenge and a goal. Our faculty strives to collaborate within our building vertically, in grade level professional learning communities and through articulation with educators at other schools. Teacher-selected training is encouraged in order to build our instructional capacity and to increase the levels of individualized, highly-motivational lessons. Historically, the Belle Hall Elementary educational purpose has been to acknowledge all students and enable them to be successful, fulfilled learners. This collective goal continues and its success will certainly be a direct result of our strong school community and spirit.
Mr. Kevin Conklin, Principal
Ms. Marshelle Grant, SIC Chair
