Improved academics, a positive school climate, and strong community partnerships, North Charleston Elementary is taking pride in its accomplishments. NCES is our Cool School of the Week. Making significant academic gains and improving the school's climate, the North Charleston Elementary School Dolphins are riding a wave to success. "We have gone from a below-average school to this year we are a Good rated school." Principal Melissa Brubaker says it's an accomplishment they reached over four years. "We have worked really diligently intentionally to build a culture that's a little different from other schools. I wanted to make sure our kids come in and find the joy of learning, so we have worked on that over the years. We still have some work to do, but we are making great strides in creating that environment here at North Charleston," says Brubaker. Kindergarten student Leroy Smalls agrees. I like this school so much because it's big and giant, and I like it. I have blocks, I have walls, I have pictures, I have stairs, elevator. My teachers are awesome. Fifth-grade student Jada Singleton says, "I've been here my whole life, and it's pretty much been great." North Charleston Elementary is a Title One school with 345 students. Principal Brubaker attributes their academic gains to data-driven strategies, solid instruction, access to high-quality curriculum, providing professional development and support for teachers, strong community partnerships, and the House System. North Charleston Elementary implemented the Ron Clark House System, creating an exciting and engaging atmosphere where students are celebrated for their growth. Fourth-grade student Nathanyal Smith says, "The teachers are nice, and the environment is nice." A big factor in the school's success is community partnerships with the Liberty Hill STEM Initiative. Brubaker says, "We have a wonderful partnership with the Liberty Hill STEM Initiative that comes out of a couple of different organizations from our community, including the Coastal Foundation and Charity Foundation. Through that, we're able to fund a lot of our resources for Project Lead the Way STEM Education. Our students in kindergarten through 5th are able to receive that in full-time special areas, because of the Weighted Student Formula, we can have that teacher here. She's trained our whole specials team. Our students receive that high-quality STEM education. We have Boeing come in at least once a week when we are doing our STEM Club as well as NIWC. They also bring in connections with Tuskegee Airman. They come in and help do a drone club for us in the spring. They connect us with a lot of community support, as well as resources for purchasing Project Lead the Way materials."  Students learn how to build their own drones and fly them. They have STEM Club in the afternoons and Stem-Tastic Saturdays. Cheryl Walden is the Liberty Hill STEM Initiative Community Engagement Specialist. She says Principal Brubaker has been instrumental in the program's success. "Without the programs we have put in place here, many of these students would not have the opportunity to even meet STEM professionals that look like them. That's something we focus on.  We try to bring in professionals throughout the school year that all the students can identify with, give them the opportunity to be a part of some of those programs. During the summer they have an opportunity to participate in programs with NIWC through cyber security. Many of the students attend programs at the Citadel, Citadel STEAM Camp. We have had programs in place at the school all students can be a part of. It gives them the opportunity to start at an early age, just to have that hands-on experience," says Walden. Staff and students say they're thankful for the school's leadership. English teacher Adriana Brooks says, "We're able to have fun at school, but also get students on grade level. Leadership matters because it just makes the environment of the school. They have created such a good community. I love coming to work because I know I feel supported." Fifth-grade student Jea'lym Alston says, "North Charleston Elementary is a Cool School because of the encouragement and positivity. It's a calm cool and collective environment." Principal Brubaker says, "I think we're a cool school because we are doing whatever it takes to make sure our students are finding joy in learning and making adjustments every day to make sure they do that." If you would like to nominate a Cool School, teacher, or principal, send an email to Octavia Mitchell at [email protected].