William S. James Elementary School
We Learn and Grow Together
School Structure:
The hours of operation for WSJES are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The staff has reorganized into grade level cluster groups to better meet the needs of the students.
About our School:
William S. James Elementary is the center of a dynamic, growing community of Box Hill North, in Abingdon, Maryland. We thrive on the strength of the growing diversity of our community, which unites families from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. This year, the school community will embark on further understanding and appreciating different cultures of diversity, through our Cultural Arts assemblies. In 2004, we were recognized for outstanding achievement in including students with disabilities in the mainstream of school life, by winning "The Arc of Maryland School Inclusion Award."
We are also a Math Professional Development School partnered with Towson University. The student interns, along with the teachers, focus on curriculum promoting math and technology. We have a strong PTA, which supports our efforts. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to participate in a variety of ways in our school. They are encouraged to participate in activities ranging from working in the classrooms to contacting other parents for the Safe to School program.
Our School Improvement Plan continues to target student achievement and closing the gap that we've identified. Professional Learning Communities or PLCs have been established in order for teachers to learn and grow in our commitment to increase achievement for all students.
The school's mascot is the jaguar. It characterizes the strength, persistence, and adaptability that our students and staff bring to the school. Our motto is "we grow and learn together." The students and staff at William S. James Elementary live up to this statement every day.
Community Involvment:
WSJES has an extremely active PTA and strong volunteer program. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to participate in a variety of ways in the school. Volunteers are engaged in activities ranging from working in the instructional program to performing clerical tasks. Through fundraising, the PTA provides funding for field trips, cultural assemblies, and instructional materials. Morning and after school daycare is provided on the premises through the YWCA.
After school hours, the building is used by the Parks and Recreation Department, scouts, and other community organizations. WSJES has business partnerships with Exxon, Kleins Superthrift, Giant Foods, Super Fresh, Target, Staples, Campbell's, Burger King, and BJ's.