The St. Helena Island community is served by three elementary schools. Over 1,000 students are divided between St. Helena Elementary (340), Lady’s Island Elementary (260), and Coosa Elementary(490). Two of the three schools has 100% economically disadvantaged students. St. Helena and Lady’s Island serve a majority of black and Latinx students.

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Reading performance is below expectations for St. Helena and Coosa elementary while all three schools meet or are above expectations for math. However, second grade students who are on track for success in English Language Arts at third grade is far below state averages: Coosa (48%), Lady’s Island (13.2%), and St. Helena (8.3%). The numbers for math are similar and are comparable for first graders as well. The State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said, “These achievement gaps, particularly amongst our youngest learners demonstrate just how much learning has been disrupted” due to the pandemic. The need for intervention is paramount.

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Additionally, as development, gentrification, and the climate crisis continue continue to impact our cultural landscapes, cultural and environmental sustainability initiatives are paramount for protecting Gullah Geechee heritage on St. Helena Island.

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We are committed to preserving and sustaining our cultural heritage through environmental resilience, capacity building, and bridging educational and generational gaps.