Jackson School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by empowering our students to reach their full potential by providing experiences that enhance critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in a safe and caring environment. We do this through the implementation of our school mission with being empowered to use a growth mindset and develop skills to communicate as compassionate leaders.  We prepare our students to be career-and college-ready by equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to be successful in life. Jackson School has developed a framework that is aligned with the Partnerships for the 21st Century Skills that has positively impacted our student readiness and growth.

Jackson School embeds critical thinking and real-world problem solving within innovative techniques and strategies that are used throughout the educational experiences at our school.  Students are provided with a balance of direct instruction, supportive technology, and project-based learning opportunities. Small groups, differentiated instruction, and blended learning are integrated in our curriculum as key components that enhance student growth. Our teachers also promote critical thinking skills by utilizing the Lucy Calkins Units of Study in reading by using a workshop model to address the South Carolina ELA Standards. We consistently analyze formative and informative assessments to identify areas of strengths for enrichment and areas of deficit for targeted intervention.  According to the results of our 2021 Spring MAP Assessment, 39.75% of our students are on track in math and 47.4% of our students are on track in reading. These students scored greater than or equal to the 40th percentile on the Spring MAP assessment. 

We also focus on collaboration at Jackson School. Data is used consistently to drive instruction. It is with our teamwork that we collect and analyze data to set goals to effectively meet the needs of all of our students. Our staff shares best practices and participates in the following opportunities for collaboration:

• Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Meetings

• Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Meetings

• Professional Learning Communities (PLC)

• Faculty Meetings

• Delayed Start Wednesdays Professional Development

• Learning Walks

• Learning Labs

• Parent Conferences

• School Improvement Council (SIC) Meetings

• Peer Observations

• School Visits

Along with collaboration, the climate of our school fosters creativity. Students are encouraged to use their imaginations and to think “outside of the box.” Music and art are incorporated in various aspects of our curriculum to promote creativity, concentration, and other cognitive functions.

We have established excellent communication with all of our stakeholders beyond our school walls. We invite community members to be a part of our educational experience. Our students learn the eight habits of highly effective people by Dr. Stephen Covey. We are proud of the history of leadership success. We have been a Franklin Covey “Leader in Me” school for ten years. We are proud of the fact that we prepare our students to LEAD at school, home, and in their community. Our school utilizes various modalities of communication. Some examples of our methods include the following:

• The Bear Express  (for Parents and Students)

• The Leadership Journal  (for Faculty and Staff)

• School Webpage

• School Facebook Page

• Parent and Student Portals

• Notes/ Letters

• Face-to-Face Conferences

• School/Classroom Newsletters

• Classroom Dojo

• Phone Conferences

• Interim Reports

• Report Cards

• Special Education Progress Reports

• Parent/Teacher/Student Surveys

• Veterans Day Program

• Leader in Me Program

At Jackson School, we have a vision that 100% of our students will meet their individual reading goals by the end of each grade level. Through goal-setting and continuous hard work, all of our stakeholders are able to yield positive outcomes, academic excellence, and success. 

Estelle Benson- Principal

Sara Fakoury- School Improvement Council Chair