CDS has been the BEST school choice for our family. We've sent two of our children, first through…read moreeighth grade, here and currently have our daughter enrolled. The teachers and staff have always been incredibly supportive and encouraging for both student and parents. It's a small goldfish bowl atmosphere which is what my husband and I wanted at this stage of our children's' lives. When you show up for school events everyone knows one another and there's a sense of family. The curriculum is challenging and every year my children are reading at least three grade levels above their current grade. A class period excursion around downtown Charleston for a history lesson or off to see a play at Dock Street Theater are just some of the incredibly brilliant uses CDS employs in regards to their proximity to the historical significance of our city. Lastly, you won't find a better Spanish teacher anywhere in the state as rigorous and as encouraging as Senior Catlett. Your child will be PREPARED for high school Spanish II Honors as a ninth grader if Senior has anything to say about it. We've been blessed to have found Charleston Day School for our children's early education and development.

Charleston Day School is a top notch school in historic Charleston! The quality of the teachers is…read moreexemplary. There is regular professional development for the faculty, and the curriculum embraces 21st century teaching. They have a wonderful balance of incorporating traditional learning with innovative and creative teaching methods. Charleston Day School works hard to differentiate and reach all learners without changing their standards. The teachers go above and beyond and clearly love working there. This shows in the happiness of the students and parents.

Our kids went to a local Charleston charter school, but as soon as we found out they got into…read moreARCAE, we pulled them immediately. ARCAE is one of the very best, and our children have thrived since the first day. We're so glad we took that leap, and never looked back!

I don't know if they were busy or they treated me different because I am hispanic.... I walked to…read moreask about enrollment for next school year since I am moving from another state and the lady treated me like I was wasting her time. She wouldn't even answer my questions completely. I knew right there my daughter is not coming to this school..... sad

Memminger Elementary or Memminger School Of Global Studies on Beaufain Street in Charleston is a…read moregreat school with caring teachers and really good students. I have been impressed every time I have visited here to volunteer or participate in events. This school is well maintained and has a lot to offer their students.

James Island Elementary School is such a gift. We didn't know much about the school when we moved…read morehere. We were so pleased by how involved, engaged, responsive, and professional the teachers, leadership, and experience has been. Under Principle Ms. Gregory's leadership, the students are the center of the school and the teachers all advocate for them. There are alot of thematic days and opportunities for parents to get involved through the PTA and through the School Improvement Committee. It's clear everyone cares very deeply about the school and about the children. We are very fortunate to have our little ones there.

Mason Preparatory School is located downtown Charleston off of Halsey Blvd and Bull Street. Mason…read morePrep is a private school associated with SCISA schools. This is a great private school with strong and experienced faculty in all of the core subjects. Also very strong French and Spanish faculty so the students are well prepared for High School. Overall Mason Preparatory School does an excellent job of preparing the students for High School and I highly recommend it thus the 5 Stars!

From the owner: Students at Mason Prep experience a vibrant learning community that prepares them for success in…read morethe classroom and beyond. Here, students, families, and educators work and learn as a team, with a shared goal of whole-child development. Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make on behalf of your child. We know that this process involves a great deal of research, and we are here to answer your questions. Our admissions process is highly personalized and designed to foster a partnership between our staff and parents, which ultimately ensures each student's success. Contact us for more information or to tour our campus. 843.805.6015, admissions@masonprep.org

Charleston Collegiate has been a wonderful fit for our family. After attending private schools in…read moreCharlotte, our daughter is much happier and more engaged at this middle school. I respectfully disagree with Sarah M.'s review suggesting the school lacks a culture of enthusiastic and disciplined learning--our experience has been quite the opposite. The teachers and staff are genuinely welcoming. They greet students by name each morning and cultivate an environment where learning is both enjoyable and meaningful. Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones through hands-on, creative projects that spark curiosity and confidence. One standout feature is the Outdoor Education Class (OEC) taught by Mr. Spann. Held entirely outdoors, it offers students a much needed break from traditional classroom routines while still providing valuable learning experiences. We've also had the opportunity to attend several student exhibitions this year, where kids proudly present their projects to parents and staff. It's been inspiring to see our daughter's growth and excitement. From a safety standpoint, which is extremely important to us, there is a security guard on campus, locked buildings, and attentive staff throughout the campus whenever we've visited. Most importantly, being of another religion, my daughter felt welcomed and safe at Charleston Collegiate which cannot be said about her previous private school. Charleston Collegiate may not be the right fit for every family, but if your child thrives in a non-traditional setting and would benefit from a more diverse and dynamic educational experience, this school is certainly worth considering.

A truly amazing school--the atmosphere, the teaching, the people. One of a kind and unique…read more Couldn't recommend it more.

Great school with great administrators and teachers. I was there with my civic club for a meeting…read morethat was here for just that week. We sat in a big hall and had plenty of room and a nice place for a meeting. Our speaker spoke about programs handled by the school that our club had supported and with good reason. Our speaker was well spoken and deserved our support. I hope we continue to support their efforts with children.

My children have gone here now and it's their first year. They have been happy with the…read moreextracurricular activities and have made wonderful friendships. Also, the teachers are rising to the occasion in this pandemic and are continuing the high level of educational instruction we've grown to appreciate and associate with this school.

Located in the shadow of the Sullivan's Island lighthouse, SIES is one of the best public…read moreelementary schools in the state of South Carolina. Students who attend live on either Sullivan's Island or Isle of Palms. In 25 years, I have never known a student to be anything but grateful for having attended this school. Island kids loving their coastal school. Even after Hurricane Hugo ravaged the islands and classrooms consisted of trailers, the education continued to be stellar. Now, with a gorgeous new building, opportunities for the children are even better. An important part of the education at this island school is coastal conservation. Something everyone should learn. With an area so rich in history and natural resources, lessons are learned not only through teaching, but also by experiencing.

Porter-Gaud was a formative chapter in my development and I am extremely appreciative of the…read morefriendships and experiences i had there. If my family and I move back to Charleston, I would happily send my children to Porter.

If you want to pay premium tuition for your child to attend a "superior" academic school, but for…read morethem to not be able to participate in team sports of their choosing (over scholarship athlete students or moving a few kids "up" and cutting eligible age kids) then by all means write that $27k annual check. Silly me thought that my kids would be able to have a well rounded high school experience; Be able to join/play team sports of their choosing. It is a private school after all. I get that PG wants sports titles to hang in their halls and to promote on their social media, but when did that take priority over the paying family's kid who's just as eager to play a sport, but doesn't get the opportunity. The administrators and board are aware of the many parent complaints regarding this and they do nothing because they are a private institution and because they can. I'd highly recommend pursuing any other schools besides PG. The board and admin don't care about the kids' overall academic experience. What they care about is winning and how that makes Porter Gaud look to the public. Maybe that sounds good to you. I'd rather have any kid who wants to play a sport, be it basketball or soccer or track, be able to do just that...and if the season is a bust, at least there was an opportunity for a lesson in character building.