Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary School is dedicated to ensuring that all students develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. We achieve this by cultivating an innovative learning environment that promotes leadership and empowers students to become self-directed learners. Our school culture is anchored in our guiding motto: “Learn. Lead. Make a Difference.”
Administrators, teachers, and students work collaboratively to establish meaningful goals at the schoolwide, grade-level, classroom, and individual levels—particularly in the areas of literacy and mathematics. Progress toward our Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) is tracked throughout the year, and we intentionally celebrate both growth and achievement. This process fosters personal accountability and supports the development of confident, goal-oriented learners. At Shanklin Elementary, building a culture of leadership means equipping every student to take ownership of their learning and recognize their capacity to lead.
Our academic program remains grounded in rigorous, standards-aligned instruction. We implement a Balanced Literacy framework and the Eight Mathematical Practices with fidelity to support deep conceptual understanding. Hands-on learning is further enhanced through the integration of math manipulatives and science lab kits. In addition, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) are firmly established, contributing to a safe, respectful, and supportive school climate.
Through the district’s Connect2Learn 1:1 initiative, all students have access to individual digital devices, which enhance collaboration, creativity, and the purposeful use of instructional technology. Leadership development is embedded throughout the student experience, with opportunities available through the STEM Club, Student Lighthouse Team, JSES Morning News Show, Safety Leaders, and Leadership Ambassadors.
We are proud to partner with dedicated volunteers who support our Literacy Initiative, and we continue to engage families as essential partners in improving student attendance and reducing truancy and tardiness. Together, we remain committed to making Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary a place where every member of our school community can find their voice, achieve their goals, and truly learn, lead, and make a difference.
