About University Place Elementary

Growing tomorrow's leaders today!

  • students At University Place Elementary, our mission is Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today. Students are provided daily opportunities to develop both academically and socially. Our mission is accomplished through our project-based curriculum and a leadership-based culture. In our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program, students learn by doing and applying through interdisciplinary, project based learning (PBL) activities that help them develop authentic 21st century college and career readiness skills. We provide schoolwide enrichment opportunities with our daily STEAM/Garden lessons, introduction to a foreign language in lower grades and our monthly interest-based clubs. Our students also have the opportunity to learn an engineering progression using our LEGO lab. In our Leader In Me program, students learn the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People through relevant daily lessons and develop the life skills necessary to reach their full potential and be successful in their next level of learning.
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  • New Ways of Learning

    We learn with our hands and minds. In our one-of-a-kind LEGO Lab, students can complete an ever more complex progression of LEGO models, make LEGO movies and program LEGO robots. Knowing that application to real world settings is the key to understanding mathematics. Our 4th and 5th grade students are using BMX bikes, remote control cars and catapults to learn geometry and measurement concepts.

  • Learning By Doing

    We are currently in the process of becoming the first AdvancED STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) certified school in the TCS system. This certification will confirm our educational philosophy: Students learn by doing! At UPES we value individualized, student-directed learning, and our students have the opportunity to explore their interest in fields such as coding, model making, robotics, 3-D printing, cooking and cosmetology.

  • Schoolyard Roots

    We are raising science scores and increasing environmental awareness through our school garden project. All students and teachers participate in the planting, caring, harvesting and selling of fruits and vegetables. Our students embrace their roles as community service providers and helpers. This year they installed a mini “Free Pantry” at the Wings of Grace Center and stock it weekly.

  • Parental Engagement

    Parental Involvement is a huge key to our success. We host events such as Donuts with Dudes and Muffins with Moms to ensure a sense of family and fellowship at University Place Elementary, where everyone is welcome! We host monthly leadership assemblies to recognize student, parent and community leaders and utilize their expertise to assist with extracurricular and after school projects.

Contact

  • University Place Elementary School
    2000 1st Avenue
    Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
    205-759-3664

    Ms. Nakelya Mullins, Principal

    Ms. Kiera Ezell, Assistant Principal

Key Facts

  • SERVING 570 STUDENTS (GRADES PRE-K THROUGH 5 AND AUTISM UNITS) 

    65 FACULTY & STAFF (CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED)

    STEAM PROGRAM: INTERDISCIPLINARY, PBL CURRICULUM

    LEADER IN ME LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL (FIRST IN TCS)