Our district is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by creating an educational environment in all of our schools that helps ensure our students’ success in school, in life and in careers. In Chester County School District (CCSD) we know that the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired now will be the foundation for future learning. Rigorous and relevant curriculum ensures students use critical thinking skills to obtain knowledge on various cognitive levels. Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity are paramount for teaching and learning. Our goal is to provide students with experiences and programs of study that will help make them good citizens. We know that teaching non-academic life and career characteristics early on will carry over to their college and career successes.
CCSD is proud to employ a cadre of teachers who are passionate about teaching, dedicated to their craft and committed to excellence for all children. Our faculty and staff embrace collegiality and teamwork while they grow as professionals working within professional learning communities (PLCs). PLC’s have been the catalyst used to augment our ability to use data to guide instruction that is prescriptive and specific to individual student needs. Moreover, teachers meet in grade level teams and/or content areas to collaborate for vertical articulation and horizontal alignment throughout the year that further enhances student growth and achievement.
Our district has implemented a technology plan that ensures 1 to 1 technology for grades PK-12. Students in grades K-12 have tablets for daily use, and Pre-K students receive Chromebooks through a state grant, the Waterford Upstart program. Children from birth to age 3 were provided Seedlings, an android device for use to increase parent involvement with early literacy for their child. These devices were funded by the Springs Close Foundation and the Alcorn Foundation.
All teachers receive on-going professional development, led by GRIT (Growing Rigorous Instruction through Technology) mentors, in the use of instructional technology. Our instructional technology professional development goal has been to help students become creators, communicators, critical thinkers and collaborators. To meet this goal, we created demonstration classrooms led by exemplary lead teachers for the purpose of peer observation and feedback to grow the capacity of new and veteran teachers alike.
During the spring of 2020, our nation experienced a pandemic of global proportions affecting every facet of our everyday lives. The Covid-19 coronavirus interrupted the academic calendar as districts across our state were required to close for one-third of the school year. During the 2020-2021 school year we were faced with the challenge of meeting students’ academic needs while balancing virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning. We met the challenge by adopting Schoology, a district learning management system, offering virtual academy, and providing in person learning on e-learning days.
As a district, our ultimate goal is to graduate students who are college and career-ready. We capitalize on the four C’s of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity to meet the unique needs of our students and families. CCSD is a great place to grow, and we are committed to excellence for ALL students as we work to become a “District of Distinction.” #ChesterCountyStrong
Dr. Antwon Sutton, Superintendent
Mr. Doug Shannon, School Board Chairman
