Charleston Charter School for Math and Science
From CharlestonWiki
Originating with a group of Charleston County parents and community leaders who envisioned a school that would offer a rigorous education in an innovative learning environment, CCSMS presently serves grades 6-9. The school will then grow by one more grade in each of the next three years, building to grade 12 by 2011.
As a charter school, CCSMS does not charge tuition. Charter schools are public schools, and are funded by taxpayer dollars.
Contents |
Latest news
Tuesday 19 August: The Charleston Public Charter School for Math and Science (CCSMS) is now open.
There are still some slots available for 9th Grade. Please visit http://www.charlestonmathandscience.org or e-mail info@charlestonmathscience.org for more information.
History
The idea of a charter school serving Charleston County students from grade 6 through 12 began with parents and community leaders who desired an innovative and diverse learning environment. The concept of the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science (CCSMS) evolved throughout the summer of 2006 and, since then, has gained tremendous momentum. The charter school model was a natural fit for the committee looking for the ability to create a new learning environment available for all students with a focus on math and science.
Early in the process it was decided that the school should be a charter school and be located in downtown Charleston. Today, parents and community leaders representing diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, results-oriented educators with charter experience, former school board members, business and political leaders, and student advocates have propelled the concept into an attainable reality. These parents and community leaders formed the Charter Committee of the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science.
Mission Statement
To educate students for success in college and careers by providing an innovative learning environment that is academically excellent, developmentally responsive and socially equitable.
Teaching goals
CCSMS will bring the discovery of math and science to life for Charleston County middle and high school students. The hands-on, project-based curriculum will provide students with opportunities to explore how math and science are used everyday in engineering, business, and biomedicine. Classrooms will reflect innovative, creative work environments where students develop their critical thinking abilities, time and project management capabilities, and communication and interpersonal skills.
Governance
A board of directors, elected by the staff of the school and the parents of its students. In addition to the flexibility inherent to a decentralized, school-based organizational structure, charter schools enjoy extra scope to innovate with the curriculum and staff, as stipulated by the S.C. Charter Act of 1996.
Location
The Rivers Educational Center (1002 King Street,) a 12 acre urban campus with a 72,614 square-foot classroom building, a 13,956 square-foot gymnasium and a 5,944 square-foot cafeteria. While the building undergoes renovations, Charleston Charter School for Math & Science (CCSMS) will utilize the gymnasium, cafeteria and mobile classrooms.
Admissions and Enrollment
CCSMS admits all Charleston County children eligible to attend public school subject to space limitations and based on grade levels served (6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th in 2008, with grades added each subsequent year).
The address for submitting applications is:
Charleston Charter School for Math & Science
P.O. Box 21406
Attn: Admissions
Charleston, S.C. 29413
There is no entrance exam.
Further Information
http://www.charlestonmathandscience.org
More information about charter schools in general can be found here
