Oak Terrace Preserve residents launch North Charleston's community video series

The City of North Charleston has released two video shorts, which depict residents of the City's Oak Terrace Preserve neighborhood discussing quality of life issues in their community. The videos, entitled "Community", and "Schools" were recorded in August, following a voluntary, unscripted format. The videos, on the City's YouTube Channel, are the first in a series of videos chronicling the progress of revitalization in the neighborhood.

"The videos illustrate a major impact of the City's efforts at attracting young homebuyers to Park Circle," says North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. "The influx of young families moving to the Park Circle area, and North Charleston, has been impressive. It's a sign that our revitalization strategy is working, even in relatively lean economic times. The number of young, white collar professionals coming to Oak Terrace, and the greater Park Circle area, has been fueled by major employers, as well as up-and-coming entrepreneurs".

Oak Terrace Preserve is a City-owned green residential project, which is privately developed by a team of builders and architects. Homes at the neighborhood are market rate, and combine the latest innovations in sustainable living with neo-traditional neighborhood design.

Community
Oak Terrace Preserve residents comment on their community's recognition as one of the nation's 'coolest, trendiest' neighborhoods, with its unique combination of green living, quality of life, and central location.



Schools
Parents and future parents see family-friendly Oak Terrace Preserve as uniquely positioned for their children's education, as the nationally-ranked Academic Magnet High School and the upcoming arts-infused elementary are within walking distance of the neighborhood.

What is your vision for Charleston County Schools?

Charleston County School District wants your feedback on proposed goals and strategies for its five-year strategic plan Charleston Achieving Excellence: Vision 2016.

Give feedback at R.B. Stall High School on February 13, 2012 at 6:00 pm.

Charleston County School District's (CCSD’s) current strategic plan Charleston Achieving Excellence centers on four priorities: Literacy Improvement, Effective Teaching and Leadership, World-Class Schools & Systems, and Strategic Partnerships. CCSD has three goals: 1) Close the achievement gap; 2) Elevate achievement overall; and 3) Raise the graduation rate.

In the 2011-2012 school year, CCSD is launching community engagement to prepare for the next stage of the plan—Charleston Achieving Excellence: Vision 2016. This next phase will strengthen the district’s emphasis on literacy improvement and teacher effectiveness and create bold annual performance targets for all students.

Graphs of Vision 2016 Goals: Third Grade English/Language Arts (ELA), Third Grade Math,Eighth Grade English/Language Arts (ELA), Eighth Grade Math, Graduation Rate

See what has been said so far...

In fall 2011, the CCSD Board of Trustees met with various stakeholder groups. In January and February 2012, the district held community meetings deisgned to garner feedback from the public. The League of Women Voters has compiled notes from the meetings.

• Notes: Principal Advisory Group on 11/1/11

Parent & Employee Survey Results: The district is taking steps to better support students and implement a more comprehensive performance-based accountability system across the district. The Studer Education Group is helping the district set and achieve Vision 2016 goals, improve supports for staff and parents, and identify opportunities for improvement. In December 2011, parents and employees were asked to complete engagement surveys. These are "baseline" surveys, giving the district a starting point for discussion. The Board of Trustees received copies of the survey results, and department heads and principals are being trained on the roll-out of survey results and next steps.

• Results from Parent Survey
• Results from Employee Survey

Charleston County School District makes ratings leap

According to district report cards released by the South Carolina Department of Education today, CCSD’s growth rating jumped from “Below Average” to “Excellent,” and its Absolute rating increased from “Average” to “Good.”  The district’s graduation rate rose from 67% last year to 72% this year.

CCSD SCHOOLS 2010	CCSD SCHOOLS 2011
26  Excellent	30  Excellent (+4)
5    Good	6    Good (+1)
27  Average	25  Average (-2)
14  Below Average	12  Below  Average (-2)
12   At Risk	12 At Risk

“Our district’s ‘Excellent’ growth rating and ‘Good’ absolute rating show that when we focus on literacy and teacher effectiveness—two hallmarks of Charleston Achieving Excellence—it really pays off for students,” said Dr. McGinley.  “This continued progress is a testament to our teachers’ hard work, our principals’ leadership, and our parents and community members’ commitment to public schools and the students they serve.”  

CCSD’s jump in its growth rating was attributed specifically to the substantial improvement of historically underachieving groups of students.  CCSD schools showed progress across multiple categories, including Gifted and Talented education, Advanced Placement, and the graduation rate.  This year, the state’s graduation calculation was changed to better reflect the true four-year graduation rate. “We’re very encouraged by these results, and at the same time, we’re not content so long as there are achievement gaps and our absolute rating is ‘good’,” said Dr. McGinley.  “The next phase of our strategic plan—Vision 2016—is all about accelerating our progress, setting bold goals, focusing our resources on proven strategies, and building an accountability system driven by what’s best for students and the entire community.”

North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School accepting applications

Application for Enrollment

North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary (NCCAE) offers high-quality teaching that exceeds the state standards and the district’s core curriculum, while integrating the arts and creative disciplines across all subject areas. The curriculum includes visual arts, music, and drama instruction that applies and reinforces traditional elementary subjects. Hands-on activities allow students to thrive as facilitators and leaders in a child-centered educational environment. Through a variety of partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and governmental agencies, NCCAE offers students countless opportunities-including field trips and lessons taught by arts professionals-designed to connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world.

As a partial magnet school, NCCAE has an attendance zone. Seats are also available for applicants who live outside of this zone, but reside in District 4 (including the city of North Charleston) and Charleston County. During the 2012-2013 academic year, the school will have Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classes. It will eventually expand to the fifth grade.

Applying for the 2012-2013 School Year

• Completed applications (Parts A & B) should be submitted to NCCAE by Friday, December 2, 2011. All mailed applications should be postmarked by this date.
• Please keep this page for your records.
• Application materials may be hand delivered, faxed to (843) 577-1680, or mailed to 1600 Saranac St., North Charleston, SC 29405.
• CCSD will provide transportation for students who live in District 4. Please call (843) 720-2967 or visit www.CCSDSchools.com for more information.
• If contact or student information changes after the application is submitted, parents are responsible for calling (843) 720-2967 and making those changes.

The School is located at 1600 Saranac St, North Charleston, SC 29405.