Education
Excellence is the standard of all Charleston Metro area schools. An exceptional education is something every child deserves, and to provide this, Charleston’s schools have high expectations not only of their students but also of teachers, staff, parents, local businesses, and the whole community, who are expected to support and contribute to the improvement and success of their local schools.
ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
The Charleston area is comprised of four public school districts: Berkeley County School
District, Charleston County School District, and Dorchester County School District Two and District Four. More than 90,000 students are educated in 130 schools. Another 11,000 students attend the 65 private and parochial schools in the region.
The Charleston County School District is divided into eight Constituent Districts. The districts educate approximately 42,500 Pre-K through 12th grade students in 47 elementary, 15 middle, 13 high, and six multi-level schools. With more than 3,300 teachers. Charleston is the second largest school system in South Carolina and fourth largest employer in the region. 54.1 percent of the region’s teachers have advanced degrees, up from 52.8 percent. All four districts strive for educational excellence and each has distinguished itself with a variety of achievements and awards. In Berkeley County, SAT scores continue to improve. The composite score of college bound seniors rose 58 points over the past five years. More than 12,000 classroom computers have access to the Internet, making this one of the state’s most up-to-date districts in current technology. The district’s instructional program combines proven best practices and the necessary teacher training to ensure curriculum effectiveness.
The district has set the standard in other areas as well: teacher evaluation, career planning, and computer technology. In 2007, eighteen graduates-level courses were offered to Berkeley County teachers while many other workshops and staff development activities were also available. Its Teacher Forum is one of the most active in the state and has served as a state model for leadership development. The $192 million bond referendum that passed in 1999 paid for the renovation of 17 schools and the building of three new schools. New building and renovation needs are currently being addressed.
The Charleston County School District has embarked on a fiveyear, $365 million building program, which is seeing dramatic facility improvements. When complete, the plan will include four new high schools, two new elementary schools, and numerous school renovations and additions. The first of these new schools, West Ashley High School, opened in August 2001 and is considered the flagship facility in the district’s building program.
Following the example of the State Department of Education, the Charleston County School District has embraced accountability as the key to effective public education. The district’s commitment began in 1998 when it became the first public school system in South Carolina to publish report cards about its schools. In addition to providing quality education to Charleston County students, the school district strives to remain an important part of the overall community through programs such as continuing education, the Gold Pass Club, parent resources, and emergency shelter locations.
High expectations for all students, a quality teaching and support staff, and strong parental and community involvement make Dorchester School District Two one of the leading and fastest growing school districts in the state. The district serves more than 20,400 students in 11 elementary schools, six middle schools, and two high schools. District Two also operates the Givhans School, an adult education center that received the U.S. Secretary of Education’s Award for the Top Ten Adult Education Programs in the nation. The South Carolina Association of Public Charter Schools presented Dorchester School District Two with the Public Charter School District of the Year Award and, in 2005, named its assistant superintendent as School District Administrator of the Year. Money magazine also selected the district as one of the top 100 school districts in the nation. More than 400 business partnerships and 2,500 volunteers in the district helped it earn this coveted designation.
Five schools in Dorchester District Two have been named “Palmetto’s Finest” schools and three have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools. All schools in Dorchester Four are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Serving approximately 2,600 students in Pre-K through Adult Education, the district has the highest percentage of teachers with advanced degrees and the most per pupil expenditure. District Four offers gifted and talented education, special needs services, vocational training, and a wide array of core curricula and extra-curricula programs, artistic and athletic programs. District Four’s mission is to develop successful citizens in an environment conducive to learning by providing challenging experiences and promoting character development. Challenging educational programs and utilization of available resources make this mission a reality for its students.
Helping students prepare for life after high school is imperative to their success. Whether a high school senior is bound for a two-year college, a four-year college, or the work force, he or she must possess the skills and abilities necessary for future success. The School-to-Work Transition Act was passed in 1994 in recognition of changing work force demands. It allows school districts to implement a system that prepares students for the work force. A major component of the program is the fostering of partnerships between schools and businesses. Throughout the region, businesses are working with students, teachers and administrators to prepare students for the careers of the future. School-to-Work initiatives give businesses the opportunity to work with local schools and prepare
students for successful careers. Employers benefit from an increased member of qualified applicants.
Community involvement with area schools are important to residents. This commitment is evident in bond referendums, classroom volunteers, Junior Achievement programs with area businesses, strong parent-teacher association involvement, and the encouragement of student and resident participation in community service projects. The Metro area also promotes continuing education, as many of the region’s school districts sponsor classes for adults. The
course list has everything from the art of calligraphy to basic auto mechanics.
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
BERKELEY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
229 East Main St.,
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843.899.8600
www.berkeley.k12.sc.usCHARLESTON COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOL DISTRICT
75 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401
843.937.6300
www.ccsdschools.com
DORCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT II
102 Greenwave Blvd.,
Summerville, SC 29483
843.873.2901
www.dorchester2.k12.sc.us
DORCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT IV
500 Ridge St., St. George, SC 29477
843.563.4535
www.dorchester4.k12.sc.us
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Approximately 11,200 students in the region are enrolled in private schools. The tri-county area has more than 65 private and parochial schools that provide various options to students. For a complete listing of private schools contact:
- TRI-COUNTY ADMISSIONS COUNCIL
- P.O. Box 1733, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
ASHLEY HALL
172 Rutledge Ave., Charleston, SC 29403
843.720.2854
www.ashleyhall.org
THE CHARLESTON
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
2234 Plainview Road,
Charleston, SC 29414
843.556.4480
www.charlestonchristian.org
CHARLESTON COLLEGIATE
2024 Academy Dr.,
John’s Island, SC 29455
843.559.5506
www.charlestoncollegiate.org
CHARLES TOWNE
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
56 Leinbach Dr., Charleston, SC 29407
843.571.1140
DANIEL ISLAND ACADEMY
300 Seven Farms Dr.,
Daniel Island, SC 29492
843.971.5961
www.danielislandacademy.com
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
SCHOOL OF CHARLESTON
48 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401
843.722.6646
www.fbschool.org
MASON PREPARATORY SCHOOL
56 Halsey Blvd., Charleston, SC 29401
843.805.6015
www.masonprep.org
PINEWOOD PREPARATORY SCHOOL
1114 Orangeburg, Summerville, SC 29483
843.376.0142
www.pinewoodprep.com
PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL
300 Albemarle Rd., Charleston, SC 29407
843.556.3620
www.portergaud.edu
TRIDENT ACADEMY
1455 Wakendaw Rd.,
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843.884.3494
www.tridentacademy.com
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Higher education opportunities are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels by eight institutions. The Charleston’s area’s colleges and universities stand at the head of the class in the Southeast. More than 30,000 students take advantage of the educational opportunities that the surrounding institutions have to offer, such as medical and technical training, numerous levels of graduate and undergraduate programs and even culinary arts degrees. Recently, the Citadel, a co-ed military college, was featured in Newsweek magazine as one of the nation’s 25 hottest colleges.
Graduate programs for full and part-time students, including masters of business administration and teaching, are available from Charleston Southern University, The Citadel, the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina and Webster University.
- AMERICAN COLLEGE
- OF THE BUILDING ARTS
- 1362 McMillan Ave., Suite 102,
- Charleston, SC 29405
- 843.577.5245
CHARLESTON SCHOOL OF LAW
81 Mary St., Charleston, SC 29403
843.329.1000
www.charlestonlawreview.org
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
UNIVERSITY
9200 University Blvd.
Charleston, SC 29406
843.863.7050
www.charlestonsouthern.edu
THE CITADEL
171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409
843.255.3294
www.citadel.edu
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
66 George St., Charleston, SC 29424
843.953.5670
www.cofc.edu
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF
CHARLESTON AT TRIDENT
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Main Campus, 7000 Rivers Ave.,
N. Charleston, SC 29406
Palmer Campus, 66 Columbus Street
Charleston, SC 29403
843.820.5090
www.CulinaryInstituteofCharleston.com
EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL
UNIVERSITY
101 W. Hill Blvd., Bldg. 221, Charleston,
SC 29404
843.767.8912
www.erau.edu
LIMESTONE COLLEGE
4500 Leeds Ave., Suite 208,
N. Charleston, SC 29405
843.745.1100
www.limestone.edu
MILLER-MOTTE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
8085 Rivers Ave., N. Charleston, SC 29406
843.574.0101
www.mmtccharleston.com
THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTH CAROLINA (MUSC)
171 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29425
843.792.2300
www.musc.edu
SOUTHERN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
4055 Faber Place Dr., Suite 301,
Charleston, SC 29405
843.266.7981
www.southernwesleyanucharleston.com
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
101 W. Hill Blvd.,
Charleston AFB, SC 29404
843.552.7320
http://wed.siu.edu/public/
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE AT
CHARLESTON
4390 Belle Oaks Dr., Suite 200, N.
Charleston, SC 29405
843.554.7244
www.spfldcol.edu
STRAYER UNIVERSITY
5010 Wetland Crossing,
N. Charleston, SC 29418
843.746.5100
www.strayer.edu
TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE
7000 Rivers Ave.,
N. Charleston, SC 29406
843.574.6111
www.TridentTech.edu
VOORHEES COLLEGE
6296 Rivers Ave., N. Charleston, SC 29406
843.553.1175
www.voorhees.edu/charleston
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
5300 International Blvd.,
N. Charleston, SC 29418
843.760.1324
www.webster.edu
