Purple, green, and yellow flyer about the Alumni Expedition

Apply for the Next Alumni Expedition to Grand Teton National Park

Spend five days in Grand Teton National Park learning outdoors, building leadership skills, and reconnecting with fellow alumni. All travel costs, lodging, meals, and activities are covered. Chaperoned by NME staff. Apply by February 1, 2027.

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Nelson Mandela Elementary Home

A scholar is pictured running and laughing on the playground while other children play behind them.
Scholars and their teacher pose with their projects
A scholar stands outside with a clipboard and poses for a picture with a peace sign
A scholar plays the violin outside.
A picture of the NME cafeteria
Picture of an empty classroom with a Mario theme
An empty classroom is pictured with notebooks stacked on desks
An empty hallway
A picture of the NME computer lab
An empty classroom is pictured with a white mug that has the Nelson Mandela Elementary logo on it in the foreground, sitting on a table.
An empty classroom
A picture of the NME playground
Nelson Mandela Elementary School Grounds

Our Mission

The mission of Nelson Mandela Elementary is to provide quality instruction that demonstrates ALL scholars can learn and develop academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. Nelson Mandela Elementary is committed to maximizing the educational success of all scholars and bridging the learning and achievement gaps.
Top 6 Reasons to Choose Nelson Mandela Elementary
1

Family Engagement

Intentional and meaningful family engagement does more than just support the child; it lays the groundwork for a future where family, community, and learning are intricately linked. 
2

Direct Reading Instruction

The science of reading with a phonics-based, direct, multidisciplinary approach to reading instruction, which results in strong reading outcomes, has been the cornerstone of our school. 
3

Year-Round School

Mandela offers a year-round schedule that helps address the academic “summer slide” and provides extensive enrichment experiences for scholars in the summer months. 
4

Violin for Every Child

Playing the violin creates positive learning outcomes, by improving reading comprehension, language, math, and attention skills.  It also emphasizes practice and teamwork.
5

Required Recess

Play is essential to building a child’s social-emotional skills. Scholars at Mandela have three required recesses daily, and recess is treated equally to other academic practices. 
6

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices and a consistent, responsive, social-emotional learning curriculum help scholars resolve conflicts and restore relationships in positive and peaceful ways. 
"Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world."

- Nelson Mandela

Mandela News

Three scholars on swings outside at the apple orchard

Newsletter 10/5/26

Check out our weekly newsletter for all of your need to know info each week!
Scholars holding up their fake money for the school store

Newsletter 9/28/26

Check out our weekly newsletter for all of your need to know info each week!
Scholars and the principal riding their bikes

Newsletter 9/21/26

Check out our weekly newsletter for all of your need to know info each week!
Scholars on the climbing feature of the playground, smiling at the camera

Newsletter 9/14/26

Check out our weekly newsletter for all of your need to know info each week!
Three scholars on the playground

Newsletter 9/8/26

Check out our weekly newsletter for all of your need to know info each week!
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Our Story

Scholars start every day with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the quote from Nelson Mandela listed above and our own addition, "and I will change the world with my Hope, Strength, Service, Unity, Peace, and Wisdom". We do believe that education is the most powerful and effective way to change the world. Scholars and all members of the Mandela Team commit to that each and every day. The foundations were determined after taking the colors of the logo, which came from the South African flag, and exploring values associated with those colors. Although purple is not part of the logo, it has become a key school color.