Heath Springs Elementary School is committed to helping all students develop the World Class Skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the SC Graduate by providing opportunities for students to master grade level standards across the curriculum through project or problem based learning experiences. We provide these experiences through an implementation of our school vision: Change Your Mindset, Expand Your World! We demonstrate this vision by challenging our students with best practices and professional development for our teachers. These learning experiences will emphasize STEAM activities, encourage creativity, innovation, critical thinking and collaboration. These experiences will also promote self-direction, perseverance, tolerance and a positive work ethic as new windows are opened to global perspective. We have a STEAM lab which includes a science lab, drama room with a dance floor, and pottery room. Teachers use the state STEAM Continuum to evaluate and plan for improvements in our STEAM initiative each year.   We have two computer labs, computers in the classrooms, and are one-to-one in 4K--5th grades.. We facilitate the development of engineering and math through opportunities with building and design activities with LEGO blocks and sets, KEVA planks, project design, and coding.

Heath Springs Elementary School’s curriculum emphasizes the whole child education, reading and writing across the curriculum, and the response to intervention (RTI) protocol. Our faculty and staff study and use data results to develop instructional goals and plans to meet each and every child’s needs. In the 2021-2022 school year, Heath Springs Elementary served 356 students in Prekindergarten to Grade 5, with 46 percent being female and 54 percent being male.  Approximately 72% percent of our faculty members had advanced degrees. HSE determined strategic steps to follow a multi-tiered system of support in order to meet the needs of all students. The MTSS process ensured that students’ academic needs, as well as, social and emotional needs were addressed. Students that were not responding to tier 2 and tier 3 instruction in the classroom, began the referral process. These students were referred to our MTSS Leadership team and had speech, hearing, and vision screenings. Once health screening were passed, the student was assessed by the MTSS interventionist using FastBridge and began intense interventions for 6 weeks. Based on the intervention data, the team determined if the student would continue interventions in the classroom or move forward to further testing with the school psychologist. 

In the spring of 2021, Health Springs Elementary students exceeded the state averages for math on SC READY with 49.4 percent of students scoring meets or exceeds (compared to a state average of 37.3 percent and district average of 41.4 percent). Meanwhile, 41.1 percent of students reached the same level in SC Ready ELA (compared to a district average of 42.4 percent and a state average of 42.6 percent). 39.7% of students scored meets or exceeds in SC PASS Science (compared to a district average of 40.7 percent and state average of 43.3 percent.) 

We are an arts infused school. We receive funding through ABC-Arts In Basic Curriculum and DAP-Distinguished Arts Program grants. The teachers coordinate opportunities for the arts to be blended across the curriculum. We had one drama productions last year. Mrs. Leis, our music teacher, produced and directed our 3rd-5th graders as they performed The Ugly Duckling. Mrs. Gardner, our art teacher, along with a student stage crew directed the stage set and design.  We had artists in residency which included Vicky McLain with oil paintings for grades k-5, Caroline Hoadley and dance with 4th grade, Timmy Abell (Silver Trout Arts) and Brassworks as well as artist Bob Doster.  

[1] “Home.” Heath Springs Elementary School. http://hses.lancastercsd.com/