Principal's Message

Dear Grant Elementary Families and Community,

It is my honor and privilege to serve as the proud principal of Grant Elementary School. Since becoming principal in July 2020, I have had the opportunity to lead, learn, and grow alongside an extraordinary community of students, families, educators, and staff. Together, we continue to build upon Grant’s more than 120-year legacy of educating children in the heart of East Hollywood while preparing our students for an ever-changing world.

At Grant, we believe that every child deserves access to a high-quality, rigorous, inclusive, and joyful educational experience. Our mission is to develop students who demonstrate academic excellence, responsibility, good citizenship, critical thinking, creativity, and respect for themselves and others. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment where the diversity of our students and families is recognized as one of our greatest strengths.

Our vision extends beyond academic achievement. We strive to educate the whole child, providing students with opportunities to develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, and creatively. Through rigorous standards-based instruction, intervention and enrichment, the arts, science and STEAM experiences, field trips, social-emotional learning, and positive behavior supports, we work to ensure that every student has opportunities to discover their strengths, develop their voice, and reach their fullest potential.

Central to this work is our commitment to equity and high expectations for every learner. We use student data to identify strengths and areas of need, differentiate instruction, provide targeted supports, and continuously improve our practices. Our goal is not simply for students to make progress, but for every Grant Tiger to have the support, opportunities, and encouragement necessary to achieve excellence.

Strong schools are also built through strong partnerships. We value our families as essential partners in their children’s education and encourage parents and caregivers to remain actively involved through parent workshops, Coffee with the Principal, volunteering, school events, and participation in our SSC, ELAC, and LSLC. When educators, families, students, and community partners work together, our children benefit.

As the proud principal of Grant Elementary, I remain deeply committed to ensuring that our school is a place where every student feels known, valued, challenged, supported, and inspired to succeed. I am proud of how far our school community has come, excited about where we are headed, and grateful to lead this work alongside our Grant families and staff.

Together, we are Roaring Towards Excellence, one student, one classroom, and one achievement at a time.

With Tiger Pride,

Scherrie James
Principal
Grant Elementary School
Roaring Towards Excellence 🐯