Red Bank Elementary School is preparing all students to develop the World-Class Knowledge and Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by meeting every child at his academic, social and emotional level.
In order to empower students with world-class skills of creativity, critical thinking, innovation, communication, collaboration, technology and knowing how to learn, we believe in transparency of the learning expectations. What must be learned in the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards is explicitly translated to the students so that they become owners of the goals they set in order to become proficient in their learning.
Every child learns in different ways and at different rates. We honor that in each individual so that children are supported to levels of proficiency before moving on to additional learning that is based upon other foundational skills. At RBE, we continue to strive to become a system of competency-based, personalized learning.
Reflection is an important part of student learning and, as a result, students set goals for what should be learned next, strategies they will use to work toward the goal and track the strategies that lead to success. Each student tracks learning through a leadership notebook or digitally in Schoology. Keeping track of their learning makes them knowledgeable of the learning progression and allows them to be proud of the progress they make. Celebrating learning is important to all of us!
RBE continues to receive support from the S.C. Department of Education as a participant of an advanced cohort in personalized and competency-based learning. As a result, six educators were able to participate in professional learning customized to our school. We also hosted visits from other schools across the Southeast who hope to learn from us as they work to transform schools. The S.C. Department of Education hosted two Inquiry Labs at RBE, drawing more than 60 educators who were interested in learning about competency-based, personalized learning.
Furthermore, RBE was nominated for its innovative approach by the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Personalized Learning through an initiative called “Canopy.” The Christensen Institute’s Canopy initiative “is an effort to bridge knowledge silos and highlight diverse approaches to school innovation around the country.” RBE’s nomination included these remarks: “Red Bank has refined and developed their approach to student-centered learning under the principal’s leadership. The team at Red Bank has used action research to develop tools and strategies to increase student agency in a variety of ways. The school has developed learner profiles and pathways which are supported by flexible learning environments to allow students to be partners in the learning. The work of standards-based reporting has allowed Red Bank to focus on authentic feedback in meaningful ways. There is a strong emphasis on equity at Red Bank — since their students come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences it is important that the school ensure ALL students are learning at high levels, not just some or most.”
Student agency and leadership are central to the work we do at RBE. Students hold leadership roles in their classrooms and throughout the entire school. They apply for positions on committees and lead all programs and assemblies. Through Stephen Covey’s 8 Habits of Highly Effective People, students learn the characteristics that will support them now and throughout their lives. These habits are integral to the way we work and learn together.
The culture at RBE is inclusive and exhibits a sense of collaboration and respect for all. Students recognize the purpose of education beyond academics. They strive to be the best versions of themselves and help others do the same. RBE was honored to be one of the two elementary schools in the state of South Carolina named a National Banner Unified Champion School. Elementary schools that receive this recognition must meet ten standards of excellence in the categories of Special Olympics Unified Sports and Young Athletes, Inclusive Youth Leadership, Whole-School Engagement and sustainability.
Additionally, a Community Development Block Grant and a Children’s Trust Grant allowed students and families additional opportunities. The CDBG allowed students to have after-school opportunities in arts and fitness. The Children’s Trust Grant provided the Strengthening Families Program, which provided a meal and evening instruction for 14 weeks. This program provides learning activities to build a stronger and more effective family unit. These programs involved our community and school together.
RBE continues to be supported by business partners such as Michelin, Bojangles’ and the local faith community. Over 50 students are provided with mentors through these partnerships.
As a faculty and staff, we continued to work on meeting students exactly where they are through continuous collaboration centered around formative student data. Both teachers and teaching interventionists tracked the progress of students and worked together, with the support of instructional coaches, to provide “just right” instructional strategies to promote student growth. Being intentional in providing personalized learning opportunities contributed to a rating of Excellent in the area of student growth on the School Report Card, indicating that “school performance substantially exceeds the criteria to ensure all students meet the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.”
As a Title I school, we used data to determine precisely where to use our funding to have the most impact on student learning. Students were able to receive after-school instruction and our youngest students who needed extra reading support participated in a three-week summer reading camp.
At RBE, we strive to lead, to learn and to love. With the child at the center, we live each day with purpose and urgency. Every child is worth our best... every day.
Marie Watson, Principal
April Spires, SIC Chair