Fourteen elementary schools in the Charleston County School District (CCSD) will be receiving increased support and resources in the 2025-2026 school year as part of the district’s newly launched Elevation Schools program. This initiative is a rebrand of the district’s previous Transformation and Acceleration Schools project, which has been in place since 2020.
Focus on High-Need Schools
The Elevation Schools program targets schools with higher student poverty rates, a larger population of multi-language students, and those with more special education students. The goal is to provide increased investment per student, with the aim of offering more wraparound services to help these students progress academically.
Superintendent Anita Huggins emphasized that this is a new phase of the district’s strategic efforts to support schools and is designed to address the unique needs of these high-need schools more effectively. This initiative will build on previous efforts but with a more targeted and strategic approach.
Educational Strategies and Professional Development
The district’s Chief Academic Officer, Michelle Simmons, and Associate Superintendent for Acceleration Schools, Jacqueline Haynes, are implementing strategies based on a partnership with the University of Virginia. Their goal is to ensure that teachers fully understand the standards students must meet, which involves intensive work in unpacking those standards and analyzing student work.
Simmons described the process as a “science,” emphasizing the intricate work required to ensure effective standards-based lessons. Teachers will have the support and training needed to deliver lessons that help students meet grade-level standards.
Program Success and Student Progress
Since the introduction of this program in 2020, many of the schools that initially required intervention have seen consistent gains in student achievement. While some schools have improved to the point where they are no longer part of the program, others continue to benefit from the added resources and strategies.
“We’ve seen double-digit gains, and so the blueprint is established. Our job moving forward will be to accelerate the growth that’s happening already in those existing schools,” said Simmons.
The Role of 90-Day Plans
One key tool used in the program is the 90-day plan, which sets targets for student learning and assesses progress. This tool has been so effective in the Elevation Schools that it is now being used in all schools across the district. The plan helps educators analyze data and student work to adapt teaching strategies and ensure that every student receives the support they need to succeed.
“We’re interested in where gaps reside for scholars. When we know where they’re lagging in terms of meeting grade level standards, we can then plan and deliver reteaching lessons,” Simmons explained.
Focus on Elementary Schools for 2025-2026
For the 2025-2026 school year, the Elevation Schools program will focus entirely on elementary schools. While other levels were included in the past, district leaders believe that laying a strong foundation at the elementary level is crucial. This will ensure that students are ready for success as they progress through their education.
“We believe that the foundation is at the elementary level. We give our scholars a fighting chance to be kindergarten-ready at first, and then when they exit the elementary environment, they’re ready, poised, and prepared to compete and succeed at a high level,” Simmons said.
Funding and Sustainability
The program is funded through a combination of grants and the district’s general operating funds. Initially, the program utilized ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding, but as those funds have phased out, general operating funds have taken over. Additionally, an education innovation research grant has been used to support the program’s expansion through 2027.
Chief Financial Officer Daniel Prentice noted that these funding sources help ensure the sustainability of the program, allowing it to continue to support schools effectively.
The 14 Elevation Schools for 2025-2026
The following 14 elementary schools have been designated as Elevation Schools for the upcoming school year:
- A.C. Corcoran Elementary School
- Chicora Elementary School
- Hunley Park Elementary School
- Julian Mitchell Elementary School
- Ladson Elementary School
- Ladson Primary School
- Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School
- North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School
- North Charleston Elementary School
- Pepperhill Elementary School
- Pinehurst Elementary School
- Sanders-Clyde Elementary School
- Stono Park Elementary School
- W.B. Goodwin Elementary School
These schools will receive the extra resources and support needed to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background or challenges.
