In July 2021, Beautiful Gate Center — the first multidisciplinary, integrated developmental learning center in the state of South Carolina — will open in North Charleston and begin serving tri-county area children and youth with Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Founded by parents who know firsthand the frustrations and shortfalls of working … [Read more...]
A School of Thought: Lucy Beckham High Explores New Avenues
By Pamela Jouan In August, I had the opportunity to walk the halls of Mount Pleasant’s newest high school with Principal Anna Dassing. The building exemplifies Lowcountry style: flooded with light from large windows, accented with wood and adorned with iconic local images. While there is no doubt the physical space fits the area, so does the curriculum. Dassing and her team … [Read more...]
The Road Ahead: Preparing Teens for the Driver’s Seat
I have fond and scary memories of taking driver’s education at my high school many years ago. My training car had three student drivers. One afternoon, my friend Krista pulled out from a side street in front of a speeding semitruck. While Mr. Frye, our instructor, screamed, “GOOOO,” I stared out the window as the Mack Truck closed in on me in the back seat. Somehow it missed … [Read more...]
Taming Tuition: A Guide to Local and State Scholarships
According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2017-2018 school year was $34,740 for private colleges, $9,970 for state residents at public colleges and $25,620 for out-of-state residents attending public universities. College scholarships, both big and small, can help defray that expense. With a little digging, you might be surprised how many … [Read more...]
Meeting Street Schools: Success Shows in Test Results
Meeting Street Schools is a Charleston-based nonprofit group founded by Benjamin Navarro, a Charleston businessman and philanthropist who also owns LTP Tennis in Mount Pleasant and the operations of Family Circle Tennis Center and Volvo Car Stadium on Daniel Island. Opening Meeting Street Academy, its first flagship school in 2008, the nonprofit now operates three additional … [Read more...]
All-Access Jazz for Kids: Charleston Jazz Academy
You might be pleasantly surprised to hear that in Charleston, kids of all ages have access to free jazz through the Charleston Jazz Academy (CJA), an educational arm of Charleston Jazz. Charleston native David Carter is the director of education and outreach for the CJA. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in music education with a focus on jazz studies. When Charleston Jazz … [Read more...]
Attracting the Best and the Brightest: Academic Magnet is Nation’s Top High School
Academic Magnet High School is not for everyone. There is no marching band and no theater or dance program, and, though 60% of the students participate in athletics, few of them move on to compete at the major college level. AMHS is, however, the jewel of the Charleston County School District. Its students face numerous academic challenges, including a senior-year thesis. … [Read more...]
Pedestrian, Motorist and School Bus Safety
School bus safety is an important topic for parents, school administrators and police departments everywhere. Across the nation, the potential for devastating consequences is real for anyone traveling our roadways. In the Charleston County School District alone, 367 buses make four runs daily, transporting nearly 22,000 students. “We have 80 schools in our district, and the … [Read more...]
GO PLAY! Tiny Gym — Where Kids Can Bounce Off the Walls
Mitzi Perkins, co-owner and operator of GO PLAY Tiny Gym, was born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama. A child gymnast trained by her mother, Kitty, a gymnastics coach, and her father, Dan, a physical education instructor, Perkins shared, “My mom coached 18-month to 5-year-olds and shared that love with me.” Eventually Kitty began teaching out of a converted school bus called … [Read more...]
Beyond the Classroom: Life Lessons Learned at Summer Camps
Let’s face it, most of the school year, our kids are over scheduled. They crave summer as much as we do; a change of routine, a time to unwind. But a lot of parents are still at the mercy of work schedules and have to find something to occupy their kids’ time. Lucky for us, Mount Pleasant has plenty of summer camp choices that aren’t simply regarded as babysitting options. In … [Read more...]