Charleston Schools News
HERE Education covers every school, deadline, and funding opportunity in Charleston County. From K-12 to College of Charleston — use our Right School Right Neighborhood quiz, search the full directory, and track what matters.
Charleston County is home to a unified school district serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. High schools serving Charleston families include Ashley Ridge High School, Cane Bay High School, Fort Dorchester High School, Goose Creek High School, James Island Charter High School, and 14 more. HERE Charleston covers every school board meeting, budget cycle, and academic milestone across Charleston County.
Charleston's higher-education landscape includes 2 institutions: College of Charleston, NCAA Division I; The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, NCAA Division I FCS. HERE Charleston covers admissions deadlines, scholarship windows, athletic schedules, and campus announcements for each institution.
SC's public-school governance flows through the SC Department of Education, which administers SC READY assessments each spring and enforces the Read to Succeed Act — requiring third-grade reading proficiency before promotion. The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) — non-profit governing body for public high school athletics in SC (founded 1913). Private schools generally compete in the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). SCHSL classifies schools 1A through 5A based on enrollment. Headquartered in Columbia, SC; website https://schsl.org. (SCHSL) governs interscholastic athletics across the state. Teacher pay begins at the state minimum and is locally supplemented — making salaries a perennial flashpoint at budget hearings.
HERE Charleston tracks school-board meetings across Charleston County — agendas, votes, and budget summaries published before local papers. Our reporters cover graduation rates and SC READY scores; teacher-contract negotiations; school resource officers; SAT and ACT data; Title I funding allocations; building bond referenda; and the Friday Night Football calendar. From dual-enrollment windows at local technical colleges to faculty announcements at area universities — if it happens in a Charleston classroom or on a Charleston County campus, it is HERE.
Education News
Charleston Schools Reassess Cooling, Ventilation Amid Heat Concerns
The impact of recent heat disruptions on educational settings has prompted a renewed focus on the state of classroom cooling...
Charleston Schools Face Renewed Scrutiny Over Classroom Cooling and Ventilation
The widespread impact of heat waves on educational institutions across the country has brought renewed focus to the critical need...
Heat Wave Disruptions Prompt Renewed Focus on Charleston School Cooling Systems
As heat waves continue to challenge communities nationwide, the impact on educational settings, particularly K-12 schools, has prompted a renewed...
Education Department Restructuring Prompts Watchful Stance from Charleston Schools
An unspecified Education Department is undergoing a significant restructuring, prompting school districts across the state, including those in Charleston, to...
Federal Student Loan Changes Take Effect, Impacting Borrowers Across Charleston
Federal student loan policy adjustments, which officially took effect in early July, are prompting borrowers across the nation, including thousands...
Federal Student Loan Policy Adjustments Create Summer Checklist for Charleston Borrowers
New federal student loan policy adjustments have taken effect this month, prompting borrowers nationwide, including those in Charleston, to review...
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Charleston School Directory, Report Cards, and School News
Charleston County High Schools
Charleston County School District
County: Charleston County
SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Type: Residential magnet high school for SC students
Applications open annually
District & Local School News
Charleston Schools Reassess Cooling, Ventilation Amid Heat Concerns
The impact of recent heat disruptions on educational settings has prompted a renewed focus on the state of classroom cooling...
Charleston Schools Face Renewed Scrutiny Over Classroom Cooling and Ventilation
The widespread impact of heat waves on educational institutions across the country has brought renewed focus to the critical need...
Heat Wave Disruptions Prompt Renewed Focus on Charleston School Cooling Systems
As heat waves continue to challenge communities nationwide, the impact on educational settings, particularly K-12 schools, has prompted a renewed...
Education Department Restructuring Prompts Watchful Stance from Charleston Schools
An unspecified Education Department is undergoing a significant restructuring, prompting school districts across the state, including those in Charleston, to...
School Report Cards
Official annual ratings from the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee and the South Carolina Department of Education. Showing every rated public school in Charleston County for the 2024-25 school year.
Click any school to view the full report card on the official SC Report Cards site (graduation rate, academic progress, school climate, financial data).
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Statewide SC public school ratings are refreshed annually. Check back soon.
Featured Schools & Programs
College of Charleston serves Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry region. NCAA Division I.
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina serves Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry region. NCAA Division I FCS.
SC's elite residential magnet school for mathematically and scientifically gifted students. Open to all SC students.
$6,000 per year for high school seniors planning to teach in SC. Competitive program recognizing future educators.
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Your Charleston Education & Career Plan
Based on your answers, here are the top 3 paths we recommend in Charleston.
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Online & Hybrid Education
Accredited programs for Charleston County residents who need flexibility.
Online and hybrid degree and certificate programs. SC in-state tuition rates available for eligible students.
Online and hybrid degree and certificate programs. SC in-state tuition rates available for eligible students.
Google, IBM, Meta, and other employer-backed certificates. Many are accepted by Charleston County's manufacturing and tech employers. Some WIOA-funded.
The SC Technical College System offers online certificates and associate degree programs through the state's 16 technical colleges.
School Board Meetings
HERE Charleston covers every public school board meeting in Charleston County — agendas published in advance, votes summarized after.
Location: Charleston County — district office
Key Education Policy Issues — Charleston County
Education FAQ — Charleston
How do I enroll my child in a Charleston County school?
Enrollment for Charleston County public schools is managed by the district office. Contact the Charleston County school district directly for enrollment forms, residency requirements, and deadlines. Visit the district website or the Charleston County government site for current instructions.
What colleges are in or near Charleston?
Charleston and Charleston County are served by 2 higher-education institutions: College of Charleston, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Use our Decision Maker tool above to find the right fit for your goals.
Is there financial aid available for Charleston students?
Yes — the SC LIFE and Palmetto Fellows scholarships are merit-based awards for students attending SC colleges. SC WINS is a workforce scholarship for technical programs. FAFSA is available for all eligible students. The SC Teaching Fellows scholarship provides $6,000/year for future educators.
How does high school athletics work in Charleston County?
High school athletics in Charleston County are governed by the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) — non-profit governing body for public high school athletics in SC (founded 1913). Private schools generally compete in the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). SCHSL classifies schools 1A through 5A based on enrollment. Headquartered in Columbia, SC; website https://schsl.org. (SCHSL). Schools compete in classifications based on enrollment (1A–5A for most sports). HERE Charleston covers every home game, playoff bracket, and signing-day announcement.
How do I submit a tip or story idea to HERE Charleston?
Use the Submit an Education Tip form at the top of this page. We cover school board decisions, program announcements, scholarship opportunities, enrollment deadlines, and any issue affecting Charleston County students and families. Tips can be submitted anonymously.