Back to School

Time to shine

Largest local districts have very few teacher vacancies

Nearly all Lowcountry students returning to school this week found certified teachers in their classrooms. Read More

Area ACT scores improve

Despite a stagnant national average and a lower statewide average on the ACT college entrance test, the Lowcountry's three largest school districts posted gains on the exam. Read More

Sparkling new Cane Bay Elementary awaits students

Almost time

SUMMERVILLE -- Principal Michelle Rogers brings strong Berkeley County traditions to the new Cane Bay Elementary School. Rogers, who learned in Berkeley County schools throughout her childhood and worked in them her entire professional career, led a tour Thursday of the new school off U.S. Highway 176. Read More

Q&A with Charleston County School Superintendent Nancy McGinley

BACK TO SCHOOL: The Superintendents

Charleston County School Superintendent Nancy McGinley oversaw the closing of five schools, made adjustments to absorb $16 million in mid-year budget cuts and learned to work with three new school board members this past year. This year, her top priority is improving students' literacy. McGinley, who has led the state's second-largest school district for more than two years, sat down with The Post and Courier to talk about what's happened and what's coming up. Read More

Reminder to parents: school starts Aug. 18

Using a mix of local police, elected officials, school personnel and faith-based groups, officials are trying to make it easier for parents to make sure their kids attend Charleston County's first day of classes on Aug. 18 by creating awareness of the importance of that date. Read More

No crowds: 'It's Utopia'

New Ashley Ridge High School opens without a hitch Thursday

SUMMERVILLE - Amber Johnson, a ninth-grader at new Ashley Ridge High School, was standing outside the front doors at 6 a.m. on Thursday, the first day of school in Dorchester County. Classes didn't start until 7:25, an hour and a half later. "I didn't want to be late," said Johnson, who lives in the nearby Legend Oaks neighborhood. Read More

Supplies burden for some

Long lists of items add up, but offiicials cite other options

Grandparent and retired school librarian Bitsy Foster wanted to help her family with some of their back-to-school costs, so she offered to pay for the supplies for her two grandchildren. After receipts for her sixth-grade grandson at Moultrie Middle School totaled $120, she backed down on her offer to pay for the younger grandchild's supplies. Read More

Summer vacation's over

Math, science school welcomes students

Stephanie Dotson wasn't satisfied with the school options in her North Charleston community, so she opted to homeschool her children. But after she heard about the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science, she decided to submit an application for her seventh- and ninth-grade children to attend the public school. Both were accepted, and Dotson couldn't have been happier about the school opening on Tuesday. Read More

Teachers recall 1st days

Some were excited, others were nervous, embarrassed

The first day of school is a rite of passage we all experience. For some, it's a day preceded by a sleepless night and an inability to eat because of stomach-twisting nerves. For others, it's like waking up on Christmas morning; the day just can't get here soon enough. Read More

Freebies draw large crowd

Event provided needed supplies to those feeling pinch of weak economy

School supply lists that include notebooks, folders and pencils can add up to hundreds of dollars for parents. But these are tough economic times, and some families are scrimping and struggling to pay basic food and energy bills. For many, the city-sponsored sixth annual First Day Festival on Sunday was a blessing and a relief because it provided those much-needed school supplies for free. Read More

Pye asks board to pare schools list

Trim to $150M urged for possible referendum

SUMMERVILLE - Dorchester District 2 Schools Superintendent Joe Pye gave the school board some homework that taxpayers may have to grade. Read More

3 steps to help busy families tame the dinner beast

Back to school or back to chaos?

In mid-August, the slow jog of summer suddenly turns into a sprint. School starts up; there are practices to make, games to play, projects to labor over. The social season turns a page.

With or without kids, life quickens for nearly everyone in the fall with its burst of happenings and the approach of two major holidays. Read More

Raising test scores key goal this year

DORCHESTER DISTRICT 4

ST. GEORGE — Raising test scores in the rural schools of Dorchester County is District 4 Superintendent Jerry Montjoy's major goal this year. His action plan is simple: Make sure teachers are focusing on the essentials and engaging students. He also wants to get parents involved, including letting them look at their children's grades online. Read More

State ACT scores up 5th year in row

Improved results still short of national average

South Carolina students posted improvements on the ACT college entrance exam for the fifth consecutive year, but those gains weren't enough to beat the national average. The composite score for the Palmetto State's 2008 high school graduates was 19.9 on a 36-point scale, which is a .3 improvement from last year and the highest score in the state's history, according to results released early today. Read More

Schools chief puts emphasis on math

Dorchester School District 2

Finding space for new students is always a concern for Dorchester School District 2 Superintendent Joe Pye. But he also has some plans for keeping up the quality in schools around Summerville, including a new program to raise math test scores. Pye outlined his goals last week in an interview with The Post and Courier. Read More