Student leadership and self-reliance are developed through an emphasis on character education at Springfield. The students begin the day with our school creed via our student-produced daily newscast on WSTM, which is televised throughout the school each morning. Good behavior is stressed through the Good Citizenship program and our school-wide discipline plan.  The students at Springfield may choose from a wide selection of enrichment opportunities including the Springfield Skippers, an exhibition jump rope team; the Springfield Mustang Chorale; and ThinkQuest Junior.  Enrichment opportunities extend beyond the school day thanks to mini-courses in foreign language, science, pottery, drama, ballet and karate which are offered at a nominal fee. The school also has an "extended day" childcare program from 6:30AM 'til 6:00PM that is ideal for working parents. An afternoon "extended day" program is available for morning kindergarten students.

Computer Lab
     The students at Springfield Elementary School attend computer classes in one or both computer labs on a weekly basis. The Springfield Technology Committee has developed a curriculum based on the South Carolina Curriculum Standards for technology and we currently have a full-time teacher to develop integrated technology lessons and to assist classes in the Multimedia Lab.  We also have a full-time technician to maintain our extensive equipment and assist in the Primary Lab.

Media Center
     The goal of the Springfield Media Center is to provide a stimulating resource center where students feel welcomed and excited about reading! Some of the many  programs offered in the media center are:
    Birthday Book Club -- This program gives parents and grandparents an opportunity to share their child's birthday with the school by placing a book in the library in the child's honor.  Books are presented to the students on WSTM, our daily morning news program which is broadcast throughout the school from the media center.
    Celebrity Reading Auction -- Students in the fourth and fifth grades can earn pretend money called Mustang Book Bucks which can qualify them to come to an auction (with a real auctioneer) in the spring. Items from celebrities which have been collected throughout the year by a student letter writing campaign are auctioned off to the highest bidder. Students look forward all year long to this exciting event!
    Book Fairs -- The Media Center sponsors a Fall and Spring Book Fair to allow students an opportunity to purchase their own books.

Music
     Every student at Springfield Elementary receives a minimum of 40 minutes a week in music class. In the general music classes, students experience music through singing, musical movement, and musical theory games. The core of the curriculum comes from the use of the Yamaha M.I.E. ( Music in Education) program. The lab provides each student with hands on experiences which allow them to become a participant in the music-making process, rather than an infrequent and often passive onlooker. The design of the Music in Education curriculum components and instructional activities is intended to stimulate the development of personal musical skills through four distinct areas of experience: listening, describing, making and creating. Supplemental materials for general music are taken from the MacMillan,McGraw and Hill "Share the Music" series. Musical movement is taught with Phyllis Weikart's series "Teaching Movement and Dance" and Theory games are presented to the students starting in the first grade.
     4th and 5th grade students have an opportunity to audition for the Mustang Choral, directed by Allen Benson.  The chorale preforms two major concerts a year. Variety of music in unison and parts provide a challenge for their developing voices. Fifth grade students have the opportunity to make a commitment to study strings for one year. The classes meet twice weekly.

Art
     The art classes at Springfield Elementary learn about artists, do creative art work and work with Artists in Residence. We are proud of our many art contest winners.
     Selected classes are keeping their art portfolios on the computer. These students have a chance to write about their art work and reflect on its meaning. In the future we will add video and audio to the Portfolio Program.
      If you want to see great art work and artists, come to Springfield Elementary School.

Guidance
     Guidance in the elementary school is concerned with the mental, emotional, social, physical, and educational developmental needs of the students. Mrs. Crawford, the guidance counselor, is available for individual counseling, small group counseling and classroom guidance as needs arise. She is actively involved in teacher and parent conferences and also provides orientation for new students several times each year.  She serves as club sponsor for Student Council, Boys Club, Girls Club, and Flag Club. The Guidance Offfice has received a number of  grants used to enhance student initiated programs, anti-drug related programs, school wide performances by special professional groups and additional resource materials.
    The guidance counselor also works with our Assistant Principal, Mary Reynolds, who serves as the school/business partner liason. This enables the school to successfully implement many school-to-work projects, including a school-wide Career Fair which actively involves many businesses. There is also a very active mentoring program that promises to continue to grow. Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Reynolds believe in an open-door policy for students, faculty and staff and parents. They strive to always find the time to lend a listening ear and work hard to help others develop problem solving strategies that will expand a lifetime.

Resource
     Springfield Elementary has an effective resource program. Two teachers serve students with learning disabilities, other health impairments and emotional disabilities. We emphasize study skills, inclusion and a team approach to meet our students' special needs.

Physical Education
     The Physical Education Department at Springfield Elementary uses a combination of sports skills, movement, fitness and dance to help students focus on their overall health and well-being.
     Several extensions of the Physical Education Department involve students in soccer, hockey, and jump rope skills.
     Keeping students involved in healthy activities is a major goal of the Springfield Elementary Physical Education Department.

SAIL (Students Actively Involved in Learning)
     Springfield offers classes for identified gifted and talented students in both primary and elementary classes. These classes provide differentiated learning experiences in a pull-out program. The objectives of the program are to involve all SAIL students in a curriculum which will emphasize higher-level thought processes such as productive thinking, creative problem solving, decision making and investigative learning.

Springfield Skippers
     The Springfield Skippers are a  team of students from grades 1-5. They demonstrate partner, group and individual jumprope skills to promote fitness in children.
     For years they have performed throughout the low country at area university basketball halftime shows, Kids Fairs, PTA programs and area schools. They have performed twice at the Fitness Day at Carowinds.
     While practicing, they are encouraged to advance through a progression of skills. There are five levels to acheive with the top level being the "Masters" level. The Skippers have been trained by Fitness Champion Mark Rothstein, who holds a record in the Guiness Book of World Records for marathon jumping. The Skippers have also had the opportunity to participate in a jumprope workshop held by Ben Clark, a two-time world rope champion. Ben holds a world speed double dutch record for performing 9,842 consecutive double under jumps.
     With Skippers we encourage students to become fit and at the same time to gain a boost in their self-esteem.