FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Growing student enrollment at Fort Jackson schools has resulted in the addition of new teaching positions this year, including a full-time music teacher for Pierce Terrace Elementary School.
At the start of this school year, 270 students were enrolled at C.C. Pinckney Elementary School, and 345 were enrolled at Pierce Terrace Elementary School.
"Pierce Terrace has really grown significantly, compared to what it was last year," said Samantha Ingram, school district superintendent. "I'm excited about the fact that, with that growth, we've been able to add some additional staffing."
Because of the change in enrollment, the school has also added a first grade teacher to the roster. Ingram said the teacher has already been selected and will start work Monday.
The school district has also hired a full-time music teacher for Pierce Terrace, giving both Fort Jackson schools their own music instructors. Previously, the two schools shared a single music teacher, Ingram said.
The new position was announced during the Sept. 6 school board meeting. The new teacher, Alan Danahy, started work Monday.
This school year, the student to teacher ratio is 1:18 in kindergarten and first grade, and 1:20 in the second grade, Ingram said. The student-teacher ratio is higher for older students. There is one teacher for every 21 students in third grade, 1:22 in fourth grade, and 1:26 in fifth grade.
There is one classroom vacancy at C.C. Pinckney Elementary School, because growing enrollment has created the need for another sixth grade teacher, Ingram said.
"Now, the student-teacher ratio is down to 1:21 for sixth grade," she said.
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