Philip Simmons Elementary, established in 2016, is located in Wando, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina in Berkeley County. We have just successfully completed our ninth academic school year. Our neighborhood school attracts people from all over the nation, creating a rich and diverse population.
Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills and Life and Career Characteristics outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. To achieve this goal, Philip Simmons Elementary School is committed to maintaining and achieving high standards, creating a school culture that supports and challenges our students, and providing foundational skills for student success. Our School Renewal Plan contains action steps to improve academic performance by focusing on STEAM and Arts Integration. Many teachers at PSE are STEAM endorsed, and all teachers receive professional development in arts integration throughout the year.
World Class Knowledge
Philip Simmons Elementary School is helping all students develop college and career readiness through a dynamic curriculum that integrates the rigorous South Carolina Curriculum Standards. We utilize the Berkeley County School District common curriculum units in all core areas. In addition, our teachers plan and embed relevant, student-driven STEAM units across the curriculum. Our teachers are either currently certified in LETRS or working toward certification. We follow the district framework for ELA instruction, cultivate mathematical discussions, and infuse the arts throughout all areas of study. PSE is providing exceptional instruction by hiring and retaining highly effective and qualified teachers. Approximately seventy percent of our teaching staff have advanced degrees and/or are Nationally Board Certified.
World Class Skills
Our school is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by implementing an arts integration and STEAM plan for our students. As a STEAM school, our mission is to engage students in solving real-world problems through a transdisciplinary approach to learning focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. We strive to help students develop a love for learning and become creators, innovators, communicators, critical thinkers and collaborators. With the ongoing support of business partners, parents, and community members, we are able to provide students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences that cultivate World Class Skills through the infusion of our Makerspace and robotics with the curriculum.
Life and Career Characteristics
In addition to a rigorous curriculum, high expectations for student achievement, and relevant learning experiences, our students learn to be good citizens through participation in numerous community service projects. Students gain a global perspective as they learn how we are all connected and how they can contribute their time and talents to make the world a better place. Career days, field experiences, expert speakers from the community, and parents expose our students to a variety of careers. Student leadership opportunities are designed to promote life and career characteristics that will carry over to their college and career successes. Through the character education program, which is aligned with the South Carolina State Department of Education standards, we recognize nine character traits that are introduced through guidance lessons and reinforced throughout the year.
Our parent body is one of the greatest treasures of our school community. Parents support their children and our school through working collaboratively with the teachers to provide learning opportunities beyond our school walls. They also support teachers and staff through their encouragement, resources, and a willingness to be involved.
Our District vision statement is "Create a future we dare to imagine and make a positive difference.” At Philip Simmons Elementary School, we are proud to say that we are indeed empowering students to unleash their creativity and make a positive difference in school and in life.
We look forward to another successful year!
Michael Huff, Principal
