School Profile

Profile of South Elementary

Early Learning Center

Nancy Kluck, Principal

South Elementary Early Learning Center (ELC) is a primary level learning site that serves approximately 430 area students in grades kindergarten through two. The district Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Programs are located at this site.

The school is located on the southern edge of St. Peter overlooking the Minnesota River Valley and within walking distance of Gustavus Adolphus College. South Elementary is recognized by the Minnesota Elementary Principal's Association as a Minnesota School of Excellence. South Elementary is also actively involved in the Minnesota Educational Effectiveness Program and is North Central Accredited.

South Elementary staff takes great pride in the care and education we offer our students. Each child, as they enter our school, brings special gifts to the learning process. We believe that our responsibility is to recognize these gifts and provide the guidance necessary for each child to develop and flourish as they begin their journey through the world of education. As educators, we are prepared to work closely with parents to create and deliver a quality educational program for each child. Our school seeks community involvement as support for our reading and math programs. This support is provided through reading partners, study buddies, classroom and volunteer assistance.

We have approximately 70 full and part time faculty and staff members. Our facility has 21 classrooms, f8 classrooms for Kindergarten and 7 for First Grade and 6 for Second Grade. We are proud to have all-day, every day kindergarten classes. The building includes a full service kitchen and lunchroom facility. Other classrooms include: art, music, physical education, media center, and computer lab. We have several rooms designated for Title 1 that follows a Multi-Tiered intervention process. Other programs include English Language Learners, Special Education, Speech and Language, and Gifted and Talented Programs. We staff two social workers, district Psychologist, an ELL teacher, one Speech and Language teacher and a part time Occupational Therapist.

Education of children is the responsibility of both the home and school. Close cooperation and understanding between parents and teachers is needed to achieve the maximum level growth for each child.

Communication between the school and the parents is very important; we feel that one method of accomplishing this is by presenting parents with this our handbook regarding the kindergarten through third grade program.