The vision of the 21st Century Learning and Leadership Academy at Cross Elementary School is to engage students in meaningful academic and community activities to learn how to lead by example in the 21st century.

The mission of Cross Elementary School is to provide all students with opportunities to reach their fullest potential supported by a committed school and community.

Description:
Cross Elementary School serves students in child development through sixth grade. The school is located in rural Berkeley County near Lake Marion. A tradition at Cross Elementary School is to recite the following school pledge and motto at the beginning of each school day:
“I pledge allegiance to Cross Elementary School. Each day I will do my best. I am important, special, and I believe in myself. I am the only one who can make myself somebody. I BELIEVE IN MYSELF, I CAN!”
The Cross Elementary School pledge and motto positively affirm students' ability to succeed.

To broaden students' scope of success, the 21st Century Learning and Leadership Academy at Cross Elementary School was established. Academic achievement is critical in the development of students’ positive self view (Osbourne, 1995). Since most schools attach a high value to academic success, it often becomes a primary measure by which children judge themselves, their esteem, and their self-worth as they progress through elementary and secondary education. Lower levels of academic achievement are considered to be a considerable threat to self-esteem. Students enrolled in the 21st Century after school program at Cross Elementary School have experienced a history of lower levels of academic success. For this reason, it is vitally important to present these students with alternative ways by which to experience a genuine sense of accomplishment (Rettig, 2005). Providing these students with alternative means of demonstrating knowledge mastery will not only improve their sense of academic accomplishment, but also improve their self esteem.

Reference:
Osbourne, J. W. (1995). Academics, self-esteem, and
race: A look at the underlying assumptions of the
disidentification hypothesis. Personality and
Social Psychology Bulletin, 21, 449-455.

Rettig, M. (2005). Using the multiple intelligences to
enhance instruction for young children and young
children with disabilities. Early Childhood
Education, 32, 255-259.

History:
The 21st Century Learning and Leadership Academy at Cross Elementary School was established in January 2008. The 21st Century Learning and Leadership Academy for Students is a personalized, small group coaching session specifically designed for 30 fifth and sixth grade students enrolled in the 21st Century after school program. The goal of the 21st Century Learning and Leadership Academy for Students is to present real-life scenarios with scholastic applications to encourage students to have fun, practical, and innovative academic and social exchanges with their peers. The activities presented in the Academy reinforce and complement regular education curricula by incorporating South Carolina benchmark standards in all activities, nurturing students' interest in reading, science, math, dining etiquette, social graces, self-respect, and building community. In addition, each student discovers and develops his or her own unique leadership style through a broad range of team building experiences that include peer mediation, musical and artistic expression, public speaking, and community service. In sum, the 21st Century Learning and Leadership Academy for Students at Cross Elementary School encourages students to consider how healthy relationships correlate with academic achievement and positive contributions to our communities.

Contact people:

Kyndra Ford, Project Leader, (email) Darlene Wright, Program Director, (email) Dr. Carolyn Gillens, Principal, (email)

Office fax number: (843) 899-8918

Address:

1325 Ranger Drive Cross, SC 29436 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.berkeley.k12.sc.us/elem/ces/ces.htm

Directions:

Off of Highway 6