385 Egypt Road Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 843.849.2841

Jan Irvin, Assistant Principal

Terri Nichols, Principal

Belle Hall School Profile

Belle Hall Elementary School opened its doors to a beautiful new facility for over 600 students on August 23, 1990.  Our motto, Learning, A lifelong, Journey, depicts our strong commitment to our school being a community of learners.  Our symbol, the Hot Air Balloon, illustrates our belief that we are all High Flyers and that learning is an exciting journey.  We have a strong active PTA and local School Improvment Team.  Volunteers are seen everyday on our campus doing a variety of activities.  Many academic and extracurricular programs are incorporated to challenge students to remain curious and open minded seekers of knowledge, and to become successful problem solvers. Belle Hall serves an ethnically diverse population of 635 students in grades Child Development through 5th grade, with 77% of our students white and 23% non white.  Instructional programs include all special education services, Reading Recovery, Gifted and Talented, fine arts, computer, DARE, guidance and Accelerated Reader. First grade enrollment has been reduced to an average of 15 students per classroom.  Second and third grades maintain a 24:1 student/teacher ratio.  Belle Hall has enjoyed a less thatn 1% attrition rate among the teacher population.  Over 80% of the teachers hold master's degrees or above and have an average of fifteen years of teaching experience.

Belle Hall Highlights

Math: Focus on state standards, using varied approaches and manipulatives, and utilizing higher order thinking skills. Writing: Strongly emphasize at all levels in all subjects with use of full sentences expected in first grade.  Focus on state standards using eclectic approaches and varied materials. Reading: Reading Recovery program                 Rotary Reader Volunteer Program                 Accelerated Reader Program The Arts: Chorus and Handbell Choir Selected to particpate in the Tri- County Regional Arts Collaborative Endeavor (TRACE)

Awards

Exemplary Writing Award - Winner since 1992, achieving Hall of Fame in the 1996 - 97 school year SAIL (Program for the Gifted and Talented) - Winner of both state and national environmental awards Community of Readers SC Reading Initiative - Selected as one of six schools in the county to participate in this three year program. Literacy Spot - Finalist in 2000 South Carolina Incentive Reward - Winner from 1992 -1998, with honorable Mention in 1994 - 95 PACT Achievement - Score of 3.7, placing Belle Hall 3rd in the county and 8th out of 844 schools in the state.