James Island Elementary School

1872 Grimball Road

School District

Charleston 01
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Charleston 01 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 19, 2023

James Island Elementary School is such a gift. We didn't know much about the school when we moved here. We were so pleasantly surprised by how involved, engaged, and professional the teachers, leadership, and experience has been. Under Principle Ms. Gregory's leadership, the students are the center of the school and the teachers all advocate for them. There are alot of thematic days and opportunities for parents to get involved through the PTA and through the School Improvement Committee. It's clear everyone cares very deeply about the school and about the children. We are very fortunate to have our little ones there.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2023

I am so impressed with James Island Elementary! The teachers are fantastic, my son loves the library and other special areas, the school campus is clean and spacious, the field trips take advantage of Charleston’s unique offerings, and I’m amazed at how involved the principal (Ms. Gregory) is with every aspect from morning drop offs to evening meetings. I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering at the school and have been lucky to see how well JIES performs behind the scenes as well. I can’t say enough good things about this school!
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2023

Amazing school! Amazing teachers! JIES is the best!
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2022

Have 2 littles at JIES. Our children are getting an excellent education and love going to school. As with any school, some teachers will be hit or miss and you don't always get the "preferred" teacher. Breaks of the game. But overall we are very impressed by the leadership of the principal and admin staff. New teachers who are excited about their jobs and really become a part of our kids' lives. Science, music, physical education, art, computer class - they are getting a well rounded experience. Wishing there was more CCSD could do to support them. Most schools on the island have an assistant principal - JIES does not. That would help spread the workload. Hoping folks on the island know it's a great option - and consider it first before trying to game the system with charter and magnet schools. That bleeds this school of students and reduces their resources. If given more resources, this school would be absolutely amazing.
Submitted by other on April 23, 2020

poor. I am sorry no other come here. Why doesn't the Principal get back to me?
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2019

I am a 3rd grade teacher at this school. I could work way closer to home but this school rocks. I love working here, The Principal and staff, the teachers, the parents and most importantly the students are all great!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

Excellent we have been extremely happy here
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2018

Awesome! Great community of parents, teachers and staff at JIES!
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2018

James Island Elementary is the best kept secret on the island. The teachers and staff are excellent and care deeply about the students. Ms. Gregory, the principal, is truly one of the best. She is only in her second year there and has already made some tremendous improvements and additions. We love the diversity, the campus, and the people!
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2018

This is our first year in JIES. Our child is in the CD program and our child's teachers are outstanding and make an excellent team! Overall, my husband and I like this school, and plan on enrolling our younger child here as well. Kudos to Mrs. Hamilton & Ms. Herring for their dedication to their students!
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2018

We love JIES. We have three daughters there. The SAIL gifted and talented program is good. Teachers are caring, and the leadership is good. We are proud Beacon parents!
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2016

JIES is such a neat school! The principal is a nice and knowledgeable person. During the times I have spoken with her at school events, she seems like she's an advocate for the children. The teachers are too. Our kids are thriving in this environment! They always come home excited about the fun STEAM stuff they do in class! They are becoming well-rounded learners. We are excited about the new school year! I am proud to call JIES our home!
Submitted by teacher on June 11, 2016

This is a great STEAM school that does have resources for students who qualify that are low or high. This is the most diverse school in the district and that shows in the diversity in gifted students.There are so many positive things happening at JIES. Go check it out before making a decision.
Submitted by other on May 24, 2016

JIES was great during the 1st year my child attended. Her teacher was phenomenal!! Informative, connected, available & showed genuine interest in my childs education & well being. The past 2 years/teachers have gone from bad to worse. The teachers are cracking jokes & literally laughing aloud during one IEP plan meeting. The principal was there yet when her supervisor asked if my child had an IEP & she replied, "No" Her teacher offers no positive feedback. The data clerk is not responsible or professional. The school has programs for overachievers yet JIES has no programs for students with learning disabilities.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2016

This is a great school. The teachers were wonderful and caring. The outdoor classroom is a plus.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2016

My son loved his first grade teacher, Mrs Butler-McLendon. She went above and beyond to get him to read! The school is filled with awesome teachers that love teaching.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2016

This school is a great home. The afterschool program is wonderful. The STEAM program is hands-on. The Principal is friendly and well-liked. Most of the teachers go above and beyond.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2016

This school is run by a great administrator, Dr Davis-Fickling. She has made the school a STEAM school with lots of activities. I am not sure where the last comments came from. My child said facetime is blocked on the ipads. All the teachers who taught my children went above and beyond. We love the ipads every other week, the hands-on engineering activities, the atmosphere and the changes throughout the program. My child has Mrs. McLendon, Ms Williams, Ms Harley and all are terrific teachers. The outdoor classroom is beautiful. My children love the school and the teachers dearly. Mrs Sim makes the best concerts by children ever! Coach Harrington taught them PE and fishing! The whole staff goes above and beyond.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2016

Dr. Fickling-Davis is a wonderful Principal with a large experience portfolio. Ipad usage is only by two teachers. The district blocked facetime use as it was accidentally available. One student broke the rules and was counseled. The two teachers who use the ipads have taught slideshows, research, writing, reading and much more. The previous writer seems unaware or jealous? My child has access they don't? The school continues to have all day STEAM events that my child loves. The school has many hands-on projects and are building engineers. Some students are programming. I think those who want a traditional school could be threatened by these changes. My child is the future and we need these changes for him to succeed, I have heard of teachers leaving their students alone or slamming doors on administrators. Those teachers also seem to be trying to remove the Principal, probably due to being trouble? The prior head STEAM teacher quit and was missing for two weeks suddenly; I would be concerned if my child were in that class? My son said his friend in the class got screamed at all day this could be what the writer is talking about? It must be that teacher was inappropriate. I find this whole situation ridiculous. The Principal wants the students to succeed and has many staff who support her programs and ideas feel the same. Those that don't should find a new school! This is a gem in the district. The new library next door and the outdoor classroom will only build it's sparkle.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2016

The administration is running it into the ground. Teachers, with good reason, fear retribution if they ask questions or express concerns. The ones who strive to improve the school are punished, while grade-level teachers who speak inappropriately to the children and allow them to use iPads to FaceTime parents during instructional time are rewarded. Just as long as they don't disagree with the principal! In addition, parent concerns raised with the principal are rarely addressed or acknowledged. There is a small but dedicated group of parents and teachers who consistently volunteer for PTA functions, so that is a plus. The school is touted as a STEAM school, but there is little evidence of this. Saying it is so doesn't make it so. Unfortunate, but they had a great teacher in charge of STEAM and assigned someone else to it. There are a few positives: MOST of the teachers are dedicated, there is a strong tennis team, and the Kaleidoscope afterschool program is a plus.