For the 2025-26 school year, Pelion Elementary School continued to build upon a strong foundation of academic growth, positive school culture and meaningful student engagement under the schoolwide theme, “Level Up: Inspire Greatness.” This theme served as a daily reminder for students and staff to strive for continuous improvement, personal growth and excellence in all areas. Through the intentional integration of P.R.I.D.E. — Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Effort — students were encouraged to grow not only academically but also as responsible and compassionate individuals.
A major focus of the year centered around the continued implementation of Visible Learning and Teacher Clarity practices in partnership with Corwin. During the first year of this work, teachers intentionally developed and communicated clear learning intentions and success criteria aligned to the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards. Students increasingly demonstrated ownership of their learning by articulating what they were learning, why it mattered and how they would know when they had been successful. Classroom walkthroughs conducted throughout the year revealed growing evidence of student clarity, purposeful instruction, and strong alignment between standards, instruction and assessment.
Professional learning remained a priority as teachers and administrators participated in ongoing training related to Visible Learning, LETRS, UFLI, Eureka Math Squared and the implementation of the new South Carolina College and Career Ready Math Standards. Teachers collaborated regularly during collaborative team meetings to unpack standards, analyze student data and plan intentional instruction to meet student needs. Additional support from instructional coaches, district coordinators and interventionists strengthened instructional practices across all grade levels.
Pelion Elementary continued its commitment to creating a positive and supportive learning environment through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS. Students were regularly recognized for demonstrating positive behaviors aligned with P.R.I.D.E. and schoolwide celebrations helped foster a culture of encouragement and belonging. Teachers and staff also intentionally incorporated the Lexington One Graduate Profile competencies into daily instruction, with a particular focus on helping students become collaborators, kind individuals and independent learners.
Academically, students demonstrated growth across multiple measures. The use of i-Ready Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction pathways in reading and math enabled teachers to tailor instruction to individual student needs and monitor progress throughout the year. Teachers also utilized district common assessments, Standards Mastery assessments, small-group instruction and targeted intervention support to monitor student progress, inform instructional decisions and accelerate student learning. Continued implementation of structured literacy practices grounded in the science of reading further strengthened foundational reading instruction for students.
Students were provided with numerous opportunities to develop leadership skills and participate in enriching extracurricular activities. Programs such as the Morning News Show, Safety Patrol, Chorus, Running Club and the 21st Century After School Program helped students build confidence, responsibility and teamwork skills. Our nationally recognized archery team continued its tradition of excellence, bringing great pride to the school community through outstanding performances and sportsmanship.
Family and community engagement remained an important component of the Pelion Elementary experience. Events such as academic nights, family celebrations, performances, veteran recognitions and community showcases strengthened partnerships between school and home. These opportunities allowed families to actively participate in their children’s educational experiences while reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines Pelion Elementary School.
The School Improvement Council, or SIC, and Parent-Teacher Organization, or PTO, continued to work collaboratively to support school initiatives focused on student achievement, school improvement and community involvement. Under the leadership of SIC Chair Kaci Bailey, the SIC remained committed to supporting the school’s mission and vision while promoting meaningful stakeholder involvement in the continuous improvement process.
As Pelion Elementary School reflects on the successes of the 2025-26 school year, we remain committed to ensuring high levels of learning for all students while fostering a culture where students and staff are empowered to “Level Up and Inspire Greatness.” Through strong relationships, intentional instruction and a shared commitment to excellence, Pelion Elementary continues to thrive as a school community dedicated to preparing students for success both in school and beyond.
Francina Gerald, Principal
Kaci Bailey, SIC Chairperson
