About KIPP Pride Lower Elementary School
Founded in 2012 as KIPP Gaston Primary School, KIPP Pride Lower Elementary is a free, non-profit, high-performing, college-preparatory public charter school providing an academically rigorous and joyous school experience to K-4 Grade students in Gaston.
KIPP Pride Lower Elementary is a family that nurtures and supports children as they grow through guided investigations of our world to begin their journeys to colleges, careers, and lives of joy and purpose.
Two statements encapsulate our values and vision into primary student-friendly mottos: Cubs can. Cubs care. These statements represent the values we prioritize in our development of moral character based on life experience and the work of Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson.
“Cubs can” encompasses the character traits of optimism, persistence, integrity, and self-control. A cub can when they attend to their needs independently and with self-control. They can tie their own shoes to keep themselves safe; they can clean up a mess when they spill something; they can talk out a problem with a classmate; they can sit in the peace chair to calm down if they get upset. “Cubs care” actualizes love, zest, gratitude, and respect.
Our guiding motto encourages our students to care about school and the people there, which they display by approaching tasks with interest and curiosity. A cub cares when they speak kindly to others, asks probing questions in class, shares their materials, and helps others.
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Heather Acree
Heather Acree was born and raised in Roanoke Rapids, NC. She earned a BA in Psychology and K-6 Teaching License from Meredith College. She began her teaching career teaching first grade at Aurelian Springs Elementary School, and in 2008 she also earned National Board Certification. In 2012 she joined KIPP Gaston College Prep (now KIPP Pride) as the Founding Kindergarten Teacher followed by two years serving as Assistant Principal. She became School Leader of KIPP Pride Lower Elementary in 2016 as well as earned an MEd in Administration and Supervision. She has been leading the Lower Elementary school for the past 10 years.
She is dedicated to collaborating with families, coaching our teachers, and creating an environment where our young children are able to be enthusiastic, joyful learners who are growing the skills they will need to be successful in achieving their lifelong goals.
Additional Information
Transportation
Visit or call the school to inquire about busing.
Uniforms
Visit or call the school to order uniforms.
School Menus
See what’s cooking in our kitchen each month here!
Nurse’s Station
Families frequently use these two forms in conversations with our school nurse:
Health History in English and Spanish
Medication Authorization in English and Spanish
School Calendar
Our 2025-26 school calendar for families is available in English and Spanish.
Handbook
Our 2024-25 Student & Family Handbook (which includes our Family Engagement Policy) is available in English and Spanish.
Exceptional Children Program
To learn more about our Exceptional Children program and services, click here.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Families are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population in the United States. This act contains a specific definition of homelessness that includes a broad array of inadequate living situations, including:
- Living with a friend, relative, or other people
- Hotel or motel
- Shelter or transitional housing
- Car, park, or other public places
- Campground, storage unit, abandoned building, or other inadequate homes
- Youth living on their own, runaway youth, or youth kicked out
The living situations above do not include all situations that may qualify. If you or someone you know is in transition and would like to speak with someone about the program, please contact the McKinney-Vento Liaison for KIPP Pride or Lisa Phillips, the Coordinator of the NC Homeless Education Program, at (336) 543-4285.