On December 15, 1964, the Calhoun-Clemson School on College Avenue and 123 burned during the early hours, destroying all but the lunchroom and new wing. For the next two years, classes were held on the Clemson University campus, at Central Elementary, in portables, and in what was left of the old building. Students were bussed to the cafeteria from all locations for lunch. In spite of scattered locations and other hardships, the school flourished with the leadership of Principal Clif Harkey.

To replace the burned Calhoun-Clemson School, construction began at Highway 123 on Frontage Road. More than 600 students and 20 teachers moved into the new building, called Clemson Elementary, in August of 1966. On January 22, 1967, the school was named Margaret Morrison Elementary School in honor of "Miss Maggie," a life-long resident of Clemson. Miss Morrison taught for 36 years in the area and retired as principal of Calhoun-Clemson School.

After integration in 1970, the students Calhoun Elementary on Butler Street moved to Morrison Elementary; the building on Butler Street, known as the Morrison Annex, was used to house primary grades. At this time there were 1,050 students in grades one through eight. One year later, the seventh and eighth graders moved to the newly opened R. C. Edward Junior High School.

In the 1979-1980 school year, Morrison Elementary was one of three elementary schools in the state to be chosen as "Palmetto's Finest," an award recognizing academic excellence. Since that time our school has been a finalist for the "Palmetto's Finest" three times.

By the 1990's Morrison Elementary School and the Morrison Annex had outgrown their buildings. On November 16, 1999, ground was broken on Berkeley Drive for a new school building. To return to the tradition of community, the name Clemson Elementary was chosen for the new school. Students and teachers moved into the building in August of 2000 under the leadership of Principal Paul Prichard, who was named in 2001 by the governor of South Carolina the first South Carolina Year of the Child Hero.

We are one of very few schools in South Carolina to have earned the prestigious Palmetto Gold Award each year of its existence.

Clemson Elementary won the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award by the U.S. Department of Education in 2021. Clemson Elementary is distinguished as an Exemplary High Performing School by The National Blue Ribbon Program. 

Jendi Lindsay, a local mural artist, has painted murals in our halls that represent both "town and gown"--the downtown of Clemson decorates one hallway, while the university buildings are found on the other main hallway. There are very meaningful murals there as well. To remember friends near and dear to our hearts, Clemson Elementary students, faculty, and staff have been memorialized in paintings of the State Botanical Gardens.

One of our school logos is a graphic representation of the tower at the front entrance of our school. This tower was designed to echo the tower at Tillman Hall on the Clemson University campus. Our school mascot is a tiger cub. Our school slogan surrounds him--"Clemson Elementary: Where every day is a great day to learn." You'll see the tiger involved in various activities in our school.

Our school mascot is a tiger cub. Our school slogan surrounds him--"Clemson Elementary: Where every day is a great day to learn." You'll see the tiger involved in various activities in our school.