Cool School: Sand Hill Elementary

Rigorous academics in a fun and positive environment, National Blue Ribbon School Sand Hill Elementary takes pride in their stellar accomplishments. We’re in Dorchester School District Two where students have cracked into academic success.

On the day News 2 visited Sand Hill Elementary, Principal Vincent Joy was doing what he does best, spreading joy, and having fun with students. “It’s called egg roulette. I don’t know which ones are raw, take an egg and smash it on my head.” says Joy. No yolks about it, Sand Hill Elementary is an egg-cellent school, and with the fun, it all boils down to students’ learning. Joy says, “She knows what it is, it’s boiled. She says it’s boiled. She did the math. Real math at work, she was right.”

There is no shortage of fun here at Sand Hill Elementary, a school with more than 1200 students. Joy says, “We are one of the largest elementary schools in the state.” All yolks aside, rigorous academics always take center stage. Principal Joy’s daughter, fifth-grade student Elsa Joy says, “I love my teachers. The work is hard, but it makes it fun too. We get to do a lot of cool stuff if we earn it.”

SHES was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, one of only four schools in South Carolina to receive this honor last year. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that have students who perform at high levels or show significant academic improvement. 

Principal Joy says, “We were one of the top 352 schools in the nation for high achievement and closing the achievement gap. It’s all thanks to hard work and a positive school culture. Sand Hill Elementary is just a fabulous community. Fun and academics are directly correlated together. Strong lessons, managed behavior equal fun. When I go out and do my observations, these kids are engaged, they’re enjoying it. Happy teachers, happy students, happy parents, that’s how I make decisions. That’s how my team makes decisions. I could not be the successful principal I am, without an amazing leadership team that I rely heavily on to pass things by, but really it’s the teachers that make this school and this community so great.” 

Kindergarten teacher Brooklyn Kleiber says, “I absolutely love Sand Hill. The environment here is just so impactful that you want to be a part of it. It spreads to everyone. The kids have so much energy. The staff has so much energy, and it increases their engagement in learning. They absolutely love it. I really love this school and everyone here. It’s a wonderful community to be a part of.”

SHES has a steel drum band, chorus, and morning/afternoon student jobs. Fourth grade student Anthony Warren says, “I really like it here, and our school is a very cool school. People follow procedures. All of our PTA members and our teachers are all very cool and fun, and they care for us. Our principal Mr. Joy he is very fun. He also brings joy. Sand Hill is probably one of the best schools ever to exist. I’ve been here a long time, and I know the experience our school has.”

Principal Joy says the Sand Hill Sandpipers will continue to soar. “Sand Hill Elementary is a Cool School because of the community, teachers, these awesome students. These students are what make it cool.”

If you would like to nominate a Cool School, teacher, or principal, send an email to Octavia Mitchell at [email protected].