Summerville Elementary School is a Title I school that serves approximately 500 students in grades 4K-5. Our school is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. The vision at Summerville Elementary School is to “inspire greatness through learning, leadership, and love” and our mission is “to educate and empower all students to reach their maximum potential.”
In our effort to achieve world class status, we are focused on implementing rigorous standards in order to prepare all students to be college and career ready. All Sea Turtle students are issued a student device to use daily: 4K, kindergarten, and first grade students use an iPad while second through fifth grade students receive Dell laptops for daily use.
Students in all grades work to build literacy and math skills daily through a variety of educational software programs. Students also use devices to research various topics and complete writing assignments. Teachers integrate technology into the classroom by using interactive flat panels and Hue document cameras. Students interact daily with technology on various instructional and learning projects, which equips them with the 21st Century skills vital to their future success. Kindergarten through fifth grade teachers have access to science kits and Project Lead the Way STEAM kits for classroom instruction.
We utilize a systemic intervention model to support students in math and reading from kindergarten through fifth grade. Every child at Summerville Elementary is challenged at his or her instructional level through daily differentiated instruction as well as targeted interventions when needed.
Summerville Elementary builds community and a sense of belonging across our entire school campus through the implementation of the Ron Clark House System. All Sea Turtles, students and staff alike, are sorted into either the House of Reveur, House of Amistad, House of Isibindi, or House of Altruismo. Throughout the school year, students in all grade levels meet virtually and in person with their House members to learn different character lessons focusing on topics such as diversity, being a good friend, and solving problems with kindness. This House initiative allows all students from all grade levels to build relationships with students and staff members from other grades. This also provides multiple advocates and supports for all students across our school.
Summerville Elementary students are engaged with the community through a yearlong service-learning project in collaboration with Home of Hope and Hope’s House, local support services for men and women experiencing homelessness. Each month, students donate needed items for these local organizations and then calculate the number of items donated throughout the year. This is also a large part of our year-long House competition!
We are committed to keeping our students at the center of everything we do at Summerville Elementary. We set our yearly goals to include plans to benefit each and every child that we are honored to teach and mold for our future workforce. By working closely with parents, the PTA board, School Improvement Council, business partners, community members, and school faculty, Summerville Elementary focuses on student achievement and success.