Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences is helping all students develop the world class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by empowering students to reach to their greatest potential, by encouraging students to be inquisitive individuals that pose questions about all subject matter, and by educating students at the highest level of rigor, in which students seek to apply their knowledge in meaningful experiences. Students at Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences are challenged to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. All stakeholders are committed to developing a culture that supports student growth and development, allowing students to meet their personal goals. Our students are able to develop world class skills at Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences, where wonder grows.
Dutch Fork Elementary immerses children in learning based on discovery and exploration, collaborative study, scientific research, use of scientific tools and technology, and a strong sense of community. During the 2020-2021 academic year with continued school wide efforts in regards to social emotional learning because it is at the core of our first school believe (All people deserve to feel safe, valued, and loved). We inquired into being ready to learn and unpacked how self-awareness is continued to our learning. We engaged in a school wide shared reading around the three picture books on this topic: Quiet, Puppy Mind, and The Magical Yet. Collectively we inquired to being responsible as a learner and honed in on the importance of responsible decision making. We also engaged an another school wide shared inquiry about this topic with the following picture books: Grow Strong - A book about healthy habits, Grow Happy, Dear Girl, and A boy like you. We will continue to build upon these efforts as we embark upon the upcoming school year.
A core belief of Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences is that students desire to share and take ownership of their learning and learning experiences. Students are provided opportunities to develop and practice world class skills throughout all subjects across the school day. Teachers develop meaningful, differentiated curriculum and learning experiences to develop students’ areas of needs and to strengthen students’ areas of strengths. In addition, students at Dutch Fork Elementary School Academy of Environmental Sciences engage in critical thinking and inquiry-based learning practices through carefully designed units of study. Across the school, students in each grade level participate in student-led conferences, designed to provide students the opportunity to share their learning experiences, strengths and weaknesses, as well as goals to their teachers and families. Students are taught skills to effectively communicate their understanding in both written and oral formats to their classmates, grade levels, and an outside audience of stakeholders through student led conferences, learning celebrations, and personal passion projects.
We are committed to ensuring that learning in our school reflects learning in the real world. Through teaching world class skills and empowering and encouraging students to practice these world class skills, our students are developing into critical thinkers and creative problem solvers. Students are able to take risks and stretch their wonder and love for life within our safe and nurturing environment. Through the lens of environmental scientists, our students understand that every action, no matter how small, has an impact on our community and our world, and, in turn, strive to use their actions to make our community and the world a better place.
Julius Scott, Principal
Lenny Sanchez, SIC Chair
