Bryceville Elementary School

Bryceville Elementary School (BES) is a kindergarten through fifth grade school of 215 students that is nestled amidst the serene old-growth pines of northeast Florida. It is not just a school; it's a cornerstone of a tight-knit rural community. Rows of planted pines, dirt roads and fields of cattle are plentiful. Here, where 65% of kindergartners embark on their educational journey without prior pre-K experience, we embrace every child and family with open arms. Our school's rich history spans generations, with families returning time and again, drawn by the warmth and excellence we offer.

At BES, excellence isn't just a goal; it's a tradition. With highly qualified teachers and support staff, we have earned an A school rating twenty out of the last twenty-three years and have earned the designation of a School of Excellence from the Florida Department of Education. But our commitment to excellence extends far beyond accolades. Over the past four years, we've embarked on a journey of campus revitalization, transforming our campus, learning spaces, library and cafeteria into vibrant spaces conducive to learning and community engagement. Our school now enjoys an outdoor learning space, garden, chicken coop, reading hammocks, murals decorate the walls of both the library and cafeteria, and we installed a Little Free Library that we share with our community.

Our academic approach is as innovative as it is effective. Small group instruction in reading and math ensures that every student receives personalized attention. Our primary building lays a strong foundation in phonics and phonemic awareness using scientifically based strategies grounded in the science of reading. This foundation supports the rigorous learning that continues in our upper grades building. Our intermediate grades provide rigorous and deliberate instruction that spirals throughout the year to foster success and student mastery of the Florida state academic standards. We take pride in our rigorous Science and Social Studies instruction that supports the ELA and Math Standards. Recognizing the diverse needs of our learners, we create and provide targeted interventions for struggling students.

Education at BES isn't confined to the classroom. Our extracurricular offerings range from robotics and art clubs to an agricultural club fostering hands-on experiences in gardening and animal husbandry, we nurture interests beyond the traditional curriculum. Our guidance counselor and school resource officer lead clubs focused on kindness and self-confidence, instilling invaluable life skills in our students.

As a Title I school where fifty percent of families qualify for free and reduced lunch, we understand the importance of holistic support. That's why we offer extensive no cost after-school tutoring programs, utilizing both instructional and non-instructional personnel to provide additional academic support. Whether it's push-in tutoring during the school day or before-school sessions for students facing transportation challenges, we leave no stone unturned in our quest to empower every child to reach their full potential.

Beyond academics, BES is a hub of community activity. Our Junior Beta club facilitates multiple community care events throughout the year from supporting families with Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, stuffing stockings for the elderly in a neighboring town’s nursing home, to helping with Bobcat Prowl the kindergarten registration event. Our school serves as a focal point for families, who gather for parent-student-community events like family game nights and bingo for books. It is a tradition that we serve dinner at our evening events, so it is easier for our families to attend. We host monthly Coffee & Conversations that are relaxed morning events where parents can join administration and other school support personnel to chat about school, kids and challenges of life in a small town. Our quarterly family reading nights and annual science night foster a love for learning that extends far beyond the school walls, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bonds that define our community. Bryceville faces the same challenges that all schools are facing, with the ever-changing needs of families. We strive to rise to the challenge to meet those needs.

In Bryceville, education isn't just about academic achievement; it's about nurturing the whole child. It's about instilling a sense of resilience, kindness, and confidence that will serve our students well long after they leave our halls. It's about fostering a community where every child knows they are valued, supported, and capable of achieving greatness. Welcome to Bryceville Elementary, where excellence is not just a destination but a way of life.