Richard Carroll Elementary School is assisting all students in developing the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by implementing the framework developed by Partnerships for 21st Century Skills. According to this framework, student readiness can be increased through the utilization of the four C's - critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. We begin with the implementation of our school mission: Together We… Learn with Passion, Lead with Integrity & Succeed with Confidence! We demonstrate this mission by partnering with the home and community, to ensure the educational, social, emotional, and physical development of all learners in an effort to produce students who embody the characteristics indicated by the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.
We pride ourselves in being a school that educated our students BOTH face-to-face and virtually during this pandemic year from August 2020 through June 2021!
Our school and teachers constantly strive to find new and effective strategies to ensure all students learn and feel successful in the classroom. Our curriculum has that rigor piece that challenges learners of all levels. Staff currently in use that support our endeavors are a Math and Reading Interventionists and Literacy Coach. Programs utilized include Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), Developmental Reading Assessment, Accelerated Reader/STAR, and Response to Intervention (RTI) technology programs which target Tier 2/3 students. We have established a partnership with Nikki Haley’s Original Six Foundation to have a fully funded Afterschool Program taught by RCES teachers serving select students in our state tested grade levels (grades 3 - 6) four days per week.
Richard Carroll Elementary also places a focus on the development of life-long leadership skills. This process is embedded in all that we do. Evidence can be seen in the roles and responsibilities that students play within our school. Student teams include: Raider Town Newsletter, Safety Patrol, school photographers, recycling, etc. Student leaders are seen throughout the school and every student is celebrated at the end-of-the-year to remind us that everyone can learn and be successful in their own manner. Our guidance lessons reinforce and focus on this as well.
We push technology use with all students. Grades K - 6 utilize 1:1 chrome books. Teachers utilize Google Classroom for assignments and parent involvement.
RCES earned an overall rating of High Average (51 points) on the state report card for the 2018-2019 school year. Data driven instruction is the norm! Teachers and students set personal goals and celebrate when they are met.
Community relations are another big factor in what we do and teach. Our Recycling program involves students assisting in the sorting, weighing, and preparing plastics for pickup. We partner with the community and strive to assist through the Cheese and Cracker Box by providing food and clothing to those in need. We also offer breakfast to ALL students ensuring that every student has the opportunity to begin their day with a healthy breakfast.
In conclusion, RCES is a rural school that has made a name for itself outside of the small town it is located in. It is embedded within our walls that the education of our students is first and foremost before all things. Learning encompasses many things besides a textbook and our students learn in those diverse means. This endeavor is accomplished by the efforts of the school, our families, our community, and our business partners. It is truly a team effort!
Stacey Walter, Principal
Connie Porth, SIC Chair
