Great Falls Elementary is helping all students develop the world class and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by being continually committed to the social, emotional, and academic development of every child. Our school is a safe, challenging, caring, and supportive environment where teachers, parents, students and community members work together to ensure all students have a solid foundation for life. We strive to make the learning experiences interesting and engaging while holding students accountable for reaching their highest potential.

Great Falls Elementary is a rural school that serves a diverse population of approximately 400 students in grades PK – 5.  Great Falls Elementary is working to achieve the standards for progress toward the 2020 SC Vision Performance and is working towards meeting the standard for progress toward the 2020 SC Performance Vision.  Although Great Falls Elementary has begun to experience growth in all academic areas, the staff continues to work hard to close existing gaps in achievement while moving more students into the categories of meets and exceeds to be comparable with other schools throughout South Carolina.  Although achievement data for the school in Math and ELA have been below both district and state averages, Great Falls Elementary is working diligently to exceed both.

Great Falls Elementary works hard to provide many opportunities to help our students be successful and well-rounded both in and outside of the classroom. Students have a plethora of activities in which to participate, including: Student Council, Safety Patrol, Recycling Club, a variety of Book Battles and Competitions, GITI Math and Science Club, Girls on the Run, Art Club, and Chorus. Parent involvement and community connections continue to improve through planned PTO and school events including: a Winthrop Partnership, a new School-wide Discipline PBIS, a Mentoring Matters Program, Junior Achievement, Meet the Teacher Night, Open House, Quarterly Awards' Days, monthly Student Awards, Veteran’s Day Program, Parent Conferences with a steadily increasing rate of parents attending, classroom volunteers, Fall Festival, Reading Buddies throughout the school, Reading Nights, Donuts with Dads and Divas, Grits with Grandparents, Family Literacy Picnic, Annual Bike Run, and grade level field studies. Great Falls Elementary is committed to ensuring students obtain a solid foundation for the next steps in their journey through life - on their path to becoming college and career ready.

Last year, survey data indicated a need for strengthening home/school relationships.  The school employed a Title I Parent Facilitator to provide parent events and activities that helped to improve both school climate and student achievement data.

Kindergarten:
According to Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) the percentage of students in Kindergarten meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in Reading improved throughout the year - from 9.2% in the fall to 15.3% in the winter - and 22.9% in the spring. The number of students in Kindergarten meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in math also improved throughout the year.  The students scored 40% in the fall, 43.1% in the winter, and 65.9% in the spring.

First Grade:
According to Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) the percentage of students in first grade meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in Reading fluctuated throughout the year - from 16.1% in the fall with a dip to 12.7% in winter - and up to 23.8% in the spring. The number of students in first grade meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in math also fluctuated throughout the year.  The students scored 40.3% in the fall, 39.3% in the winter, and 53.6% in the spring.

Second Grade:

According to Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) the percentage of students in second grade meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in Reading improved throughout the year - from 20% in the fall to 24.6% in the winter - and 30% in the spring. The number of students in second grade meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in math also improved throughout the year.  The students scored 40% in the fall, 44.6% in the winter, and 52.6% in the spring.

Tammy Taylor

Principal

Tonya Weir

School Improvement Chair