Laurel Hill Primary receives NAEYC accreditation
September 5, 2018
Laurel Hill Primary School recently received their Certificate of Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This honor is held by just a handful of public schools in the state of South Carolina.
“We are so proud of our hardworking staff for setting high standards for our Loggerheads,” said Laurel Hill Assistant Principal Jason Sims.
Principal Ashley Dorsey explained that the NAEYC accreditation is done every five years, and is important to maintain since primary schools do not participate in standardized state testing. Laurel Hill Primary, one of only two primary schools in Charleston County School District, has been accredited since 2011.
“This accreditation is a component to show that the school is meeting high standards for learning,” added Dorsey.
The 2017-2018 school year was Laurel Hill’s renewal year. The process involved a year-long program of creating portfolios for the school as a whole, individual classroom portfolios, and a site visit by NAEYC. The renewal means Laurel Hill Primary is accredited for another five years.
“A lot of daycare programs and preschools are accredited through NAEYC; not as many public schools are,” Sims explained. “We take pride in the fact that not only did we take the time to put in the extra work, but that we have such a high quality staff and high quality instruction that we were able to pass the test.
“There is a lot work associated with the actual portfolios and the renewal process,” Dorsey stated. “We also have to make sure we have professional development required, board certifications, etc. Even with the amount of work that goes into it , at the end of the day, you have to actually be good at what you do.”
“We take pride and honor in this designation,” Sims said. “We know what we’re doing is good, it is child-centered, and developmentally appropriate. We’re not just cutting and pasting around here.
To learn more about Laurel Hill Primary, and the school’s accreditation through NAEYC, contact Assistant Principal Jason Sims at (843) 849-2200
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools that span 1,000 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 86 schools and specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees district-wide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region.
CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.
