Mitchell Math and Science Elementary are helping all students develop the World Class Skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by focusing on critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Our mission at Mitchell Elementary is to "create a safe, supportive, and loving environment where all students can become independent and lifelong learners."
Mitchell Elementary is part of Charleston County School District's "Acceleration Schools Initiative," which focuses on serving our students' academic, social, and cultural needs and works alongside staff, families, and our community to develop and support the whole child.
Our top priorities continue to be student achievement and academic growth. All students not only access but are engaged in the high-quality, grade-level curriculum of EL (Expeditionary Learning- EL) for ELA and Bridges for math instruction. We have a full-time Science teacher. All CD-1st grade students access the lab once a month, and 2nd-5th grade students visit the lab weekly. Students have hands-on experiences with science while in the lab setting and the outdoor gardens. Literacy and math instruction are embedded into the lesson. In addition, our related arts teachers embed these skills into their lessons.
As a Second Step and PBIS school, there is a schoolwide discipline plan allowing students to develop interpersonal skills that will help them throughout their lives. We are excited that we are going to begin planning to become a Leader in Me school for the 2023-2024 school year.
At Mitchell Elementary, we believe in supporting and fostering collaboration with our staff to provide the very best education for our scholars. We have partnerships with Leading Educators and Darden University that provide professional development for teachers and administration. Teachers also participate in weekly Professional Learning Communities to discuss strategies and lessons and make data-based decisions for instruction.
We are committed to growing our partnership and communication with our families. We have continued to increase communication with parents and the community by updating our website, Facebook, and frequent contact with families. We hosted Mitchell Family Nights via Zoom to continue to engage our families with the limitations due to Covid. Families participated in a Literacy night, Celebrate Mitchell night, Christmas Concert, Black History Celebration, and a Salt Marsh project in conjunction with the Green Heart Project dinner.
We have a wide range of community partnerships that contribute to our focus on health and wellness. Charleston Hope supports our scholars with additional social and emotional time embedded within the school day and after school. In addition, we work in collaboration with the Green Heart Project to show the importance of not only growing your vegetables but how to incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables into a healthy lifestyle.
Along with the strong community support, the vast number of volunteers, and the many partnerships, we feel Mitchell is a true "Gem of the City."
Dr. Amber Sainz, Principal
Courtney Canosa, SIC Chair
