About

School of Character

Welcome Message from the Principal

Welcome Independence Families! We are so excited to work with you and your family this year! The staff of Independence truly focus on supporting the whole child and meeting students where they are in their growth. We foster student leadership and empower students to have a voice and a sense of belonging within our community. We work to grow our character within ourselves and our students.

There are many wonderful opportunities for families to be involved in various capacities. Please contact our main office if you have an interest in volunteering and thank you for your support!

Emily Pavia
Principal

Vision

Values and Character Education

The 11 Principles of Character Education and the Core Values have been an integral part of Independence since 2003. Our values are ever evolving to match the needs and interests of our culture. When assessing our values we gather input from students, staff, families, and community members. Throughout the year, the core values are taught and reinforced during classroom circles, teacher newsletters, school newsletters, and celebrated during whole grade level meetings we call Town Halls.

Independence current Core Values: Friendship, Empathy, Responsibility and Honesty

11 Principles of Character Education
The 11 Principles are guidepost to plan, implement, assess, and sustain our commitment to growing our character.
Principle 1: Core Values are defined, implemented, and embedded into school culture.
Principle 2: The school defines “character” comprehensively to include thinking, feeling, and doing.
Principle 3: The school uses a comprehensive, intentional, and proactive approach to character development.
Principle 4: The school creates a caring community.
Principle 5: The school provides students with opportunities for moral actions.
Principle 6: The school offers a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that respects all learners, develops their character, and helps them to succeed.
Principle 7: The school fosters students’ self-motivation.
Principle 8: All staff share the responsibility for developing, implementing, and modeling ethical character.
Principle 9: The school’s character initiative has shared leadership and long-range support for continuous improvement.
Principle 10: The school engages families and community as partners in the character initiative.
Principle 11: The school assess its implementation of character education, its culture and climate, and the character growth of students on a regular basis

School History

In March 18, 1999 at 9:02 PM the Francis Howell Board of Education approved the name Independence for its ninth elementary school. Here is the history behind our name:

   In 1885 a one-room schoolhouse called Independent School
   opened its doors and ran continuously until May 1941. After
   that time, Independent School voted to join the Consolidated
   School District No. 2 of St. Charles County. Through the years
   the name changed to Independence School. Many former students
   are still members of the Francis Howell community. The original brick
   schoolhouse remains on Independence Road today.

Independence Elementary opened in July 1999.

Independence Elementary is the home of the Eagles; our colors are red, white, and blue.

For the second time in five years, Independence Elementary was been named a National School of Character (NSOC) by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) for its commitment to character education and for fostering a positive environment for social and academic learning. Independence Elementary was recognized in 2013 as well as 2018 and will hold the distinction for five years.

School Improvement Plan

Pyramids of Intervention

A pyramid of intervention is a tiered approach to prevention and intervention strategies to support students both academically and behaviorally. The pyramid uses a variety of strategies and techniques to help all students stay on the right track. The foundation of the pyramid offers Tier 1 supports for all students. Tier 2 interventions provide additional support for smaller groups of students who need more targeted help. Tier 3 provides the most intensive supports for individual students when Tier 1 and 2 interventions have been unsuccessful. Our schools review and update their pyramid on a regular basis to ensure new strategies are incorporated and all are aligned with best practice.

Attendance Pyramid of Intervention

Core Values

Friendship, Empathy, Responsibility and Honesty

Mission

Independence Elementary
Where we learn and grow together

School Handbook

The student handbook summarizes District policy and contains general guidelines and information. Translated copies of this Handbook are available. Contact the school office.

View the Handbook