• Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 394
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 5%
    White/Caucasian: 82%
    Hispanic: 2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 10%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:23
    % Reduced Lunch: 73%
    % ELL Learners: 15%
    Founded: 1979
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Stephanie Blanton
  • CONTACT:
    140 Cooley Springs School Road
    Chesnee, SC 29323
    864-592-1211
    Stephanie.Blanton@spart2.org
Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary School
Chesnee, SC
"Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts!"
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
The students at CSF experience success as we build on a foundation of knowledge and skills. We are committed to high levels of learning as we live out our mission to empower students in a nurturing environment. At CSF, we implement practices that are proven to have a significant influence by creating an environment of collaboration and accountability. In the Spring of 2022, SCReady data indicated that 73% of students scored Meets and Exceeds in Reading and 75% in Math. Through the analysis of longitudinal data and reflection on personalized strategies, we provide engaging, authentic experiences that promote student success and instill interpersonal skills. Through experiences, intensive interventions, and protected instructional time, our students become critical thinkers and problem solvers. As a result of our success, we maintain a positive, vibrant community of learners at CSF.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The greatest contributing factor that has promoted a positive change within our school is the agreed upon understanding that all students can achieve at the highest level. This mindset, in conjunction with a commitment to daily differentiated instruction driven by real-time data, has proven to take academic achievement to the next level for our students.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
The school’s commitment to its vision, “Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts” is at the forefront of decision-making for fund designation. At CSF, ESEA funding has supported our school’s success through vetted research based instructional tools. Careful planning has been taken by the instructional team to designate curriculum supports that scaffold instruction and meet students’ needs through well-trained interventionists. Teacher and leadership teams meet regularly to discuss students’ progress and next steps in learning. CSF’s commitment to teacher clarity and efficacy impacts the intervention program in both reading and math.The after-hours academic support program, sponsored by the Upstate Kids Club, works tirelessly to partner with CSF with timely and standards-based tutoring for each grade level. CSF teachers connect with club leaders to provide academic assistance, technology, and experiences beyond the classroom that enhance community-building and citizenship.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
While our professional development activities were limited over the past three years due to the pandemic, CSF has remained committed to improving teacher knowledge of instructional strategies through relevant professional learning. CSF supports collaborative professional learning and data-based decision making. Fusing professional collaboration and evidence-based approaches with John Hattie’s most influential interventions, we capitalize on collective teacher efficacy by analyzing and unpacking priority standards in order to develop learning progressions to drive student ownership of learning. Focusing on each step of the progression, we can deepen learning intentions while ensuring mastery through differentiation. Through our professional work, we ensure that every student makes progress toward grade level expectations as we live out our daily vision of ensuring that every student matters and every moment counts.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
The culture of CSF is built upon elevated expectations and nonnegotiable accountability. Superior work-ethic from all teachers and students lead to the school’s success in terms of student achievement and academic growth. Commitment to collaboration with teacher teams encourages the communication of prerequisite and extension standards that allow instruction to be remediated as well as enriched. Vertically-aligned and standard-specific work sessions allow teachers to share instructional practices, analyze student work, and determine the sequence for subsequent instruction. A comprehensive systems approach strengthens the school’s success with an “all-in” mindset.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
As a rural community, we strengthen our success with students through parental involvement and partnerships with local churches. Volunteers not only assist with everyday needs of the school, but also with academically focused needs such as one-on-one tutoring. Our exceptional volunteers are determined to provide elevated opportunities for CSF students to build core memories of school as a safe and unique haven by meeting students’ basic needs and encouraging family involvement through exciting year round events. Caregivers partner with us in learning and communicate routinely with teachers to ensure access to the resources at home where students can be supported in review of previously taught skills.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 394
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 5%
    White/Caucasian: 82%
    Hispanic: 2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 10%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:23
    % Reduced Lunch: 73%
    % ELL Learners: 15%
    Founded: 1979
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Stephanie Blanton
  • CONTACT:
    140 Cooley Springs School Road
    Chesnee, SC 29323
    864-592-1211
    Stephanie.Blanton@spart2.org