We are delighted to announce our new designation as an arts-integration school! Students will benefit from having full-time art, music, and P.E./Creative Movement teachers. Experiences in other areas, such as drama, dance, and creative writing will be offered by artists-in-residence and volunteers from our community. Copies of our Arts Brochure with more details about the program are available in the office and on this website.

The mission of East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts is to accommodate differences, reveal a passion for learning, teach appreciation, and stimulate creativity. We are a family-friendly community school with an emphasis on academics, arts, and character development. East Aiken is an Arts in Basic Curriculum Site, a recipient of a Distinguished Arts Program grant, and our partnership with the Aiken Community of Character initiative continues. We infuse character development throughout the school culture by integrating academics, arts, and character education. One example is our monthly school production, featuring students, teachers, and community members who demonstrate good character traits through literature, music, drama, and dance.

Literacy instruction is the backbone of our curriculum. Struggling readers qualify for early intervening reading instruction from a trained reading interventionist, who collaborates with teachers to insure student achievement in literacy. The School Intervention Team analyzes data to decide which students should enter and exit this program.

Students and teachers use innovative technology throughout the curriculum such as interactive white boards, digital cameras, and etvStreamlineSC to enhance lessons in all areas. Four mobile laptop labs are available for classes to use for a variety of computer programs and for research projects using the Internet. Our teachers are all deemed technology proficient by our school district.

The Sunshine House continues to provide outstanding opportunities for student growth and development in the daily after-school program, known as The Quest Zone. Grant funding and collaboration with community resources allow children to benefit from a wide range of academic and enrichment services

Mentors make a vital contribution to the success of our students. Every teacher and staff member chooses a child to mentor throughout the year. We also have parents and other volunteers who serve as mentors to children who need a caring adult in their life.

Our Title I Parenting Center in the Media Center continues to house a variety of resources to help parents become full partners in the education of their children. We believe that our school is a cooperative zone among parents, teachers, students, and members of the community.