R. C. Hemphill Elementary School, is a first class progressive, innovative public school and the winner of the Title I Distinguished School Award embarked upon the task of defining its mission and vision by engaging collaboratively with stakeholders in a comprehensive, consensus building process that involved students, parent, community partners, support staff, teachers, and administrators. Hemphill's School Based Leadership and Accountability Team (SBLAT) is charged with providing guidance for the coordination of our mission.
The History of R. C. Hemphill dates back to the early 1870's. In 1871, a small frame school building was constructed on a 25'x45' lot. The buildong was later moved to Cotton Avenue and replaced with a three-room wooden schoolhouse. In 1902, a two story brock buildin was constructed with J.L. Lyles appointed as the first principal. This was the first unit of West End School. The mayor of West End, Robert Hemphill. later procured funds to complete the building, which was later re-named in his honor. The West End community was annexed by the City of Birmingham and R.C. Hemphill Elementary joined the Birmingham Public School System in 1910.
R. C. Hemphill Elementary School is a Pre-K through 5th grade public Title I school. We are a proud school that embraces our community, our students, and our parents. There are 18 classes from Pre K through fifth grades. Our Pre K service special needs students who spend 3 hours a day learning social skils. Our Gifted and Talented Enrichment (GATE) students receive accelerated instruction throught E.P.I.C. our neighboring school one day a week.
The faculty at our school are all certified highly qualified teachers. We have a total of 11 support staff members. In addition, we have 4 itinerant teachers, who spends part os their day in other schools. Our itinerant staff includes instructors in Art, Speech, and Special Education.Our full time Reading Coach provides workshops and resources for our classroom teachers. The Librarian supports literacy providing a wide variety of resources and materials Our Physical Education teacher and paraeducator provides a program that focuses on life fitness skills. Our Specific Learning Disabled teacher is on staff full time. The school has one Administrator and a full-time Counselor. Our paraeducators assisit with our specially challenged students giving them one-on-one assistance. We have intervention teachers who works with our At-risk population. These teachers are retired and hold valid teaching certificates. We have two National Board Certified teachers on our staff. Teachers and Administrators are actively promoting programs the encourage academic achievement as well as high self esteem.
Our school provides a wide range of support to our students through Academic, Character Development, Extended School Day, Discovery Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Book Club, Science Lab and our Outdoor Classroom aresome of our engaging learning opportunities along with technology. Each classroom has 2 computers with internet access, promethean board, and an elmo presenter. There is also two computer labs in addition to our READ 180 lab. We are constanly seeking initiatives to promote a balanced and accelerated schoolwide curriculum.
