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Hi everyone! I hope my first post isn't too contentious!
I am getting ready to move from Rock Hill, SC to the Charleston area and have been researching schools for my two daughters (I don't have the money for private schools). I went around and visited schools in Berkeley and Summerville and spoke with administrators and teachers. I found out that budget cuts are going to seriously hurt many programs in many Summerville schools. The Summerville schools are already crowded and with the closing of the Reeve(s?) school, both Flowertown and Newington will be strained beyond their capacity. I was told by several that Berkeley schools wouldn't be hit nearly as badly because of the commercial tax base that exists there (though it is no doubt declining). True, many of the Summerville government schools ranked "Excellent" or "Good" by state testing standards, but there are many schools in Berkeley and Charleston that are similarly ranked. Picking a place to live based on school quality is tough!
What do you think? My office will be in the Ladson area, but commuting convenience is not a consideration - and I can't afford Mt. Pleasant!
I would say that Newington Elementary @Dorch Dist II cannot be beat ... you'll be very happy @that school. Despite budget cuts, the teachers / staff are absolutely amazing, truly care about what they do & go the extra mile. Unless you were in Mt. P, no way I'd put my children in Chas Cty schools ... can't say I know much about Berkeley, but my vote is Summerville ... Newington Elem specifically if you can have a home within its attendance lines.
Not what some of the teachers at DD2 told me during my classes in graduate school. I believe that there is no perfect school in SC and that you really have to keep tabs with everyone in the school. Summerville schools are just like any schools in SC. I was shocked when several DD2 teachers told me that there are major riots and fights in some Summerville schools that would make the schools that I work for in Williamsburg County look like angels.
Hi everyone! I hope my first post isn't too contentious!
I am getting ready to move from Rock Hill, SC to the Charleston area and have been researching schools for my two daughters (I don't have the money for private schools). I went around and visited schools in Berkeley and Summerville and spoke with administrators and teachers. I found out that budget cuts are going to seriously hurt many programs in many Summerville schools. The Summerville schools are already crowded and with the closing of the Reeve(s?) school, both Flowertown and Newington will be strained beyond their capacity. I was told by several that Berkeley schools wouldn't be hit nearly as badly because of the commercial tax base that exists there (though it is no doubt declining). True, many of the Summerville government schools ranked "Excellent" or "Good" by state testing standards, but there are many schools in Berkeley and Charleston that are similarly ranked. Picking a place to live based on school quality is tough!
What do you think? My office will be in the Ladson area, but commuting convenience is not a consideration - and I can't afford Mt. Pleasant!
I am not sure who told you Reeves was closing, but this is not accurate. Reeves is one of the newer elementary schools in the district. This fall will be it's 4th year.
The DD2 schools are some of the best in the state....especially the elementary schools.
Summerville isn't what it was even 5 yrs ago, too many people have moved into it bringing their problem kids with them...
Flowertown and Newington were the best elementary schools in the state but unfortunately that has and will continue to change
I live in S'Ville and think some of the better schools are now on the MtP side of the lowcountry, we put our kids in private school after elementary because of some of the things other parents were telling us.
Lots of good neighborhoods over here but the education has gone down IMO
I am interested in following this and I am confused as the first poster I am sure. I am relocating to Charleston area in 2 weeks. My offices will be in North Charleston and Mount Pleasant and I need to live where my 12 year old will attend 7th grade. I keep hearing Cairo and Laing and Dorchester 2 but I also keep reading posts about fights, beatings, rapes etc and all kinds of things at all of these schools and am now scared to death that I made the wrong decision to relocate. I am trying to take it all with a grain of salt but it seems no matter what post I read there are some serious allegations. Are the SC schools just not safe? I don't mean any disrespect, truly but when you are a parent trying to sort through facts and fiction it is difficult.
From previous post in this thread:
"I was shocked when several DD2 teachers told me that there are major riots and fights in some Summerville schools that would make the schools that I work for in Williamsburg County look like angels."
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