A Glimpse of Northside Elementary

picture of the front of northside elementary

Northside Elementary is one of five public elementary schools in Colleton County and one of two elementary schools within the town of Walterboro. It is a Title I School serving between 530-600 students per year in grades 1-5.   The demographics of Northside are very well-balanced among race and gender.  The school has an average rating based upon the last state report card.

Northside hosts 4-5 teachers per grade level, as well as, teachers for special education and related arts.  Grade level teachers meet bi-weekly to discuss data and plan for rigorous instruction. Lessons are a mixture of both whole and small group instruction.  Technology is utilized as each student has access to their own Chromebook. 

Students receive individualized instruction based on their needs.  There is Response to Intervention (RTI) and a reading interventionist for struggling students.  ESOL students also receive interventions and after-school tutoring. Students who need more challenging material are served through the district's gifted and talented (SPICE) program.  

Beyond academics, students are taught life lessons.  Northside participates in the Positive Behavior and Intervention (PBIS) program.  This allows focus to be placed on positive behaviors.  Class Dojo is used in conjunction with PBIS to allow teachers, students, and parents to track each child's positive behavior.   Each week, teachers host a classroom discussion centered around the OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program.  Monthly, the guidance counselor and Positive Behavior Support Specialist visit classrooms to further discuss life skills. Students are also given opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities such as robotics, honors chorus,  Young Men of Hope, and Junior Beta Club.   There are several opportunities during the year for students to interact with the Veterans next door at the Veterans' Victory House.