. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris DeLoach . . . 843-270-1272 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Charleston area schools

 

As a Realtor, I get a lot of questions about the Charleston area; but, by far, the most common questions I receive are about our schools. 

 

The Charleston County School District is divided into eight constituent districts.  Within these districts are 42 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, eight high schools, 12 magnet schools (such as the award national winning Charleston Academic Magnet High School and the award winning Charleston School of the Arts ) , and a number of charter schools . 

Thanks to a renewed commitment to reading and math, students in Charleston County made significant gains on standardized testing in grades three through eight and the SAT in high school. The district has seen results from a five-year, $365 million building program that includes the four new high schools, two new elementary schools as well as school renovation and additions touching every community that is served. Charleston County School District has embraced accountability as the key to effective public education.

Dorchester District Two has nine elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools including Summerville High School, the one of the largest high schools in the State of South Carolina.

Dorchester School District Two was selected by Money magazine as one of the top 100 school districts in the nation. Dorchester School District Two is supported by more than 400 business partnerships and over 2500 volunteers. Five schools in Dorchester District Two have been named, "Palmetto's Finest"( an annual award given to the school recognized as being the very best of all schools in South Carolina) and three have been recognized as National Blue RibbonSchools.

Berkely County School District covers a very large area with much room to grow - and it is growing. New schools are being built to support this strong growth. Just one visit to one of the newest schools, such as Daniel Island Island Elementary, an amazing cutting edge facility, and you will recognize how important education is to the citizens of Berkeley County. Other very new schools include Cane Bay Elementry and Cane Bay High School.

Quite a few schools in Charleston County are among the very best in the state and in the nation.  As Charleston County has one of the largest school districts in the entire country, you would expect to find schools at both ends of the effectiveness spectrum. 

So, before you make a decision about where to buy your home, be sure that you spend the time to evaluate the schools individually. Use the liks below to help.

National Center for School Statistics

School Report Cards

Dorchester II on Great Schools

Charleston County on Great Schools

Berkeley County on Great Schools      

Special Needs    

Information on daycare   

All children entering first grade must present a birth certificate and must be six years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year. All children entering South Carolina schools for the first time must present an immunization record. For more information, visit http://ed.sc.gov.

 Charleston County School Options for your kids

• neighborhood school: a school that serves an assigned geographic attendance zone. Some of these schools have themes which are integrated into instruction and school activities.

• county-wide magnet school: a school, which, unlike a neighborhood school, does not have an assigned attendance zone. In addition to teaching according to the district's core curriculum and the state's standards, a county-wide magnet has a theme or focus area which is integrated into instruction and school activities. Any student residing in Charleston County and who is interested in the school's focus may apply, but acceptance may depend on how well the student meets admission criteria and the availability of seats. Some county-wide magnet schools hold lotteries to determine enrollment for the following year. Transportation is provided for all students.

• constituent district magnet school: a neighborhood school, which- in addition to serving students in its assigned attendance zone- also has a specific number of seats allocated to students who live outside the attendance zone but within the constituent district. In addition to teaching according to the district's core curriculum and the state's standards, each constituent magnet school has a theme or focus area which is integrated into instruction and school activities. Students living outside the assigned attendance zone must apply to the school in order to be considered for admission, and acceptance may depend on the availability of seats. Some constituent magnet schools hold lotteries to determine enrollment for the following year. Transportation is provided for all students within the constituent district.

• partial magnet school: a neighborhood school, which- in addition to serving students in its assigned attendance zone- also has a specific number of seats allocated to students who live outside the attendance zone including students 1) living in that constituent district or 2) outside the constituent district but in the county. In addition to teaching according to the district's core curriculum and the state's standards, each partial magnet school has a theme or focus area which is integrated into instruction and school activities. Students living outside the assigned attendance zone must apply to the school in order to be considered for admission, and acceptance may depend on the availability of seats. Some partial magnet schools hold lotteries to determine enrollment for the following year. Transportation is provided for all students living within - but not outside of- the constituent district.

• charter school: a public school that operates with freedom from many of the local regulations that apply to traditional public schools. A charter school does not have an assigned neighborhood or attendance zone. In addition to teaching according the state's standards, a charter school generally has a theme or focus area which is integrated into instruction and school activities. Any student residing in Charleston County and who is interested in the school's focus may contact a charter school about registering but enrollment may depend on the availability of seats.

• specialized program: a program that serves students with particular needs. Similar to the district's schools, each specialized program has its own facility, faculty, and instructional leadership. Because each specialized program is unique, each program has its own referral or application process.  

NEW LOOK UP TOOL: Charleston County - Maps and more

Looking for the right schools? Do your homework by using the following links:

• SC School Report Cards
• Free and reduced lunch stats
• Charleston County Schools
• Dorchester County Schools
• Berkeley County Schools
•  
  Top SC High Schools

• Information on Special Needs

• CCSD Family Resources (Academic Calander and more)

   

News Flash:

2010 Schools Rankings:

Academic Magnet High School Ranks among top US Schools once again! for 2010

TOP MAGNET SCHOOL in the USA - Charleston Academic Magnet High School: "#1 Magnet High School in the US" out of 12,786 public schools rated by U.S. News, 2009 !

Newsweek Magazine ranks AMHS 7th in the nation!

US News Ranks Academic Magnet HS #12 in the nation - received Gold Medal (2009)

 News Flash:  Lucy Beckham, Principal at Wando High School in Mt Pleasant is named 2010 MetLife /NASSP National High School Principal of the Year !

News for Berkeley County  Schools

March 2011

The Charleston area has shown a clear seriousness about education that continues to pay off – in gold, in silver and in respect.

Charleston area schools (Berkeley County this time) are receiving impressive awards again and again. Just announced: 21 Berkeley County elementary and middle schools have just been recognized with Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards. Nearly 80% of the district’s elementary and middle schools were recognized for their achievement (High Schools to be announced later).

Palmetto Gold: Cainhoy Elementary/Middle; Hanahan Middle; Westview Middle; Westview Elementary; Mar­irington Middle School of the Arts; Howe Hall AIMS Elementary; Macedonia Middle; Devon Forest Elementary; Berkeley Intermediate; Hanahan Elementary; and Daniel Island School.

 Palmetto Silver: Cross El­ementary; Henry E. Bonner Elementary; Whitesville Ele­mentary; J.K. Gourdin Elemen­tary; Marrington Elementary; Sangaree Intermediate; Sanga­ree Middle; Sedgefield Inter­mediate; Westview Primary; and Cane Bay Elementary.

Palmetto Gold (Closing the Achievement Gap): Marrington Middle School of the Arts; Howe Hall_. AIMS Elementary; and Sangaree Intermediate. 

Palmetto Silver (Closing the Achievement Gap): Hanahan Middle; Westview. Middle; Westview Elementary; Mace­donia Middle; Devon Forest Elementary; Berkeley Intermediate; Hanahan Elementary; and Sangaree Middle.

"Through the shared vision of our Charleston Achieving Excellence Plan we are enpowering students and teachers to succeed like never before.  As a result, there is a new optimism around our work.  This energy makes clear to everyone inside and outside our doors that our students are achieving excellence, and we are a great choice for any parents who want to prepare their children for success in the global 21st century."

Dr. Nancy J. McGinley, Superintendent of Schools Charleston County School District.

Charleston Magnet* Schools

There are approximately 65 private and parochial schools in the Charleston region with an enrollment of 13,470 students. (South Carolina Independent School Association, (803) 535-4820 or www.scisa.org )

Addlestone Hebrew Academy
Ashley Hall
Bishop England High School
Charles Towne Montessori School
The Charleston Catholic School
Charleston Collediate School
Charleston Day School
Christ Our King Stella Maris School
Daniel Island Academy First Baptist School of Charleston

Devine Redeemer Catholic School
First Baptist Church School of Mt Pleasant
James Island Christian School
Mason Preparatory School
Northside Christian School
Northwood Academy
Pinewood Preparatory Schools
Porter-Gaude School
St. Paul's Academy
Summerville Catholic School
Trident Academy

Addlestone Hebrew Academy 
1639 Wallenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 571-1105
Level: PK-8
 
 
Ashley Hall 
172 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403
 Phone: (843) 722-4088
Level: PK-12
 
 
Ashley River Child Development 
1101 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 556-2681
Level: PK-K
 
 
Bishop England High School 
363 Seven Farms Dr, Charleston, SC 29492
 Phone: (843) 849-9599
Level: 9-12
 
 
Blessed Sacrament School 
7 Saint Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 766-2128
Level: PK-8
 
 
Calvary Episcopal Day School 
106 Line Street, Charleston, SC 29403
 Phone: (843) 723-3878
Level: PK-K
 
 
Cathedral Academy 
P.O. Box 41129, Charleston, SC 29423
 Phone: (843) 760-1192
Level: PK-11
 
 
Charles Towne Montessori School 
56 Leinbach Dr, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 571-1140
Level: ungraded
 
 
Charleston Christian School 
2234 Plainview Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
 Phone: (843) 556-4480
Level: PK-8
 
 
Charleston Day School 
15 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401
 Phone: (843) 722-7791
Level: 1-8
 
 
Charleston SDA School 
2518 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29414
 Phone: (843) 571-7519
Level: ungraded
 
 
Coastal Shores Christian School 
8310 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418
 Phone: (843) 552-4105
Level: PK-12
 
 
Early Child Development Center 
66 George Street / 273 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29424
 Phone: (843) 953-5606
Level: PK-K
 
 
Elaine's Christian School 
913 Wappoo Road, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 571-0066
Level: PK-K
 
 
Evangel Christian School 
2957 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29414
 Phone: (843) 766-2986
Level: PK-12
 
 
First Baptist Church School 
48 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
 Phone: (843) 722-6646
Level: PK-12
 
 
Grace Umc Weekday School 
1601 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 766-1621
Level: PK-K
 
 
Harbor View Presbyterian Churc 
900 Harborview Rd., Charleston, SC 29412
 Phone: (843) 795-4077
Level: PK-K
 
 
James Island Christian School 
15 Crosscreek Drive, Charleston, SC 29412
 Phone: (843) 795-1762
Level: PK-12
 
 
Mason Preparatory School 
56 Halsey Blvd., Charleston, SC 29401
 Phone: (843) 723-0664
Level: 1-8

Nativity School 
1125 Pittsford Cir, Charleston, SC 29412
 Phone: (843) 795-3975
Level: PK-8
 
 
New Israel Christian School 
69 Simons St, Charleston, SC 29403
 Phone: (843) 723-9200
Level: PK-8
 
 
Northside Christian School 
7800 Northside Drive, North Charleston, SC 29420
 Phone: (843) 797-2690
Level: PK-12
 
 
Northwood Academy 
2263 Otranto Rd, Charleston, SC 29406
 Phone: (843) 764-2285
Level: PK-12
 
 
Northwood Christian School And 
8717 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29418
 Phone: (843) 572-0940
Level: PK-5
 
 
Palmetto Academy Inc 
913 Wappoo Road, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 571-7740
Level: 7-12
 
 
Porter-Gaud School 
300 Albemarle Rd., Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 402-4775
Level: 1-12
 
 
Remount Baptist Daycare 
1520 Remount Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406
 Phone: (843) 747-7403
Level: PK-K
 
 
Riverbend Christian Academy 
7035 Dorchester Rd., North Charleston, SC 29418
 Phone: (843) 552-2357
Level: PK-6
 
 
Saint John Catholic School 
3921 Saint Johns Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
 Phone: (843) 744-3901
Level: K-8
 
 
St. Andrews Presbyterian Preschool 
712 Wappoo Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 571-6426
Level: PK-K
 
 
The Charleston Catholic School 
888 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
 Phone: (843) 577-4495
Level: PK-8
 
 
The O'Quinn School 
1567 Harbor View Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
 Phone: (843) 795-6708
Level: PK-K
 
 
Wando Woods Baptist Church 
4123 Dorsey Ave, Charleston, SC 29405
 Phone: (843) 747-9088
Level: PK-K
 
 
Westminster Presbyterian Preschool 
1157 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
 Phone: (843) 571-0321
Level: PK-K