Belle Hall Elementary School’s mission is to develop skilled, respected, independent seekers of knowledge possessing World Class Skills by providing them rich, diverse, and challenging experiences. The school’s population for the 2022-23 year was 673 students ranging from a Child Development (CD) program (four-year olds) through the 5th grade. The enrollment consists of 85% Caucasian and 15% minority students. Instructional programs include various inclusion-based special education services, fine arts exposure, adaptive digital content software learning, extended research project work, and regular intervention groups for students needing academic assistance. Our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support team is based on a Response to Intervention model and meets weekly to identify, monitor and support students in need and address any achievement gaps. This year, we were able to resume many of our regular activities including field trips, assemblies, guidance groups, chorus, CD-1st grade swim lessons, recorder pipes and handbell ensembles that were put on hold during the pandemic-impacted years. Our tennis, running and basketball athletics also resumed. An after-school Kaleidoscope program serves 120 students daily and offers additional extracurricular activities. Almost half of the 3rd through 5th grade students qualify for the school district’s Gifted and Talented program. All students develop effective Life and Career Characteristics through school-wide participation in monthly charity drives, wellness programs, diversity awareness campaigns, a Student Council, grant projects, and career exploration activities. Our celebrated environmentally-aware Green Team features student-driven initiatives such as recycling, food composting, and an interactive garden!
Students gain the World Class Skills and Life & Career Characteristics from the Profile of the South Carolina (SC) Graduate as we emphasize the acquisition of World Class Knowledge through rigorous academics based on the SC Curriculum Standards. This is evidenced by the most recent SC school report card data which reflects grades 3, 4, and 5 SC READY exam results and survey feedback from students, teachers and parents. Teachers emphasize critical-thinking and problem-solving skills via the Bridges math curriculum. Accordingly, on-going faculty professional development focuses on OGAP math instructional strategies training and the iReady digital learning and assessment programs in math and reading. To realize our school district’s goals to improve literacy and to have all students reading on grade level by the end of 5th grade in 2027, intensive professional learning communities (PLCs), additional staff planning time and collaboration efforts are committed to implementing the language arts curriculum. Kindergarten through 3rd grade reading teachers are being trained in the LETRS instructional strategies. Additional resources are directed to support all students with rigorous differentiated core instruction, academic intervention and regular benchmark assessments in order to meet the district expectations. The aim is to assist and challenge each student at his/her learning level to produce strong and engaged readers who are prepared for the next level of their academic pathway.
Our school setting prioritizes security, safety, and a nurturing environment that promotes character development through regularly scheduled guidance classes, the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum, and a school-wide Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) system. Numerous initiatives are facilitated by our proactive School Improvement Council, PTA and ESSER federal funding. In recent years, the United States Department of Education recognized Belle Hall Elementary as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2021 and we strive to maintain this standard of excellence by acknowledging our diversity, developing citizenship, and enabling every student to become a successful, fulfilled learner. This collective goal continues and its success will certainly be a direct result of our strong school community involvement and spirit.
Mr. Kevin Conklin, Principal
Ms. Jennifer Huffman, SIC Chair
