Charleston County Schools Superintendent Anita Huggins praised Sanders Clyde Elementary’s gains on state assessments despite high poverty and trauma from violence on Charleston’s Eastside. Principal Janice Malone highlighted attendance as the core challenge, addressed through innovative supports.​
Attendance Strategies
Family coaching built trust with parents, while $25 weekly incentives encouraged consistent student attendance, proving effective despite controversy. Teacher incentives via the federally funded D20 PCP program offered $500 for perfect attendance over nine weeks.​
Staff Retention Efforts
On-site daycare for teachers’ children aided recruitment amid rising costs, supporting six new mothers in one year. Collaboration with peninsula principals and consultant Dr. Barbara Dilligard tailored solutions to shared needs.
Academic Outcomes
These efforts boosted test scores, parental engagement, and broke poverty cycles by prioritizing daily school presence as key to student investment.
