Charleston County School of the Arts
5109 West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405-4066
Principal: Mr. James Reinhart
Fax: (843) 529-4991
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EOC School Report Card (middle)
EOC School Report Card (high)
ENROLLMENT: 1018
GENERAL LOCATION: North Charleston
MASCOT: Pegasus
SCHOOL COLORS: Red and Gold
GRADES: 6 - 12
ARRIVAL: 7:45 AM
BELLS: 8:00 AM, 3:30 PM
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE: 18 - 25
SENDS STUDENTS TO: The School of the Arts sends students to the most selective colleges and universities throughout the United States. Students in the most recent senior class of 126 students earned $4.6 million dollars in scholarships. One-fourth of the senior class was recognized as Charleston County School District Board Scholars.
OUTSTANDING FEATURES/PROGRAMS: The School of the Arts is a countywide magnet school offering College Preparatory, Honors, and Advanced Placement classes in all academic areas and arts classes in creative writing, dance, instrumental band, piano, string orchestra, theatre arts, visual arts, and vocal music. The school's arts, English, math, science, and social studies programs are exemplary in every way and together create a continuum of courses that are relevant and engaging. The school has received an "Excellent" rating on the State Report Card and the Palmetto Gold Award annually. The average SAT score is 1611 - 91 points above the national average, placing the school among the top 10 schools in the state. Seventy percent of the students taking Advanced Placement courses scored a 3, 4, or 5 on the national exams, the highest percentage among Charleston County schools for schools with more than 15% of their students in AP classes. The school has been recognized consistently for its very high number of Junior Scholars, Duke University TIP winners, and students identified as gifted and talented.
EXTRACURRICULAR OFFERINGS: Students participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities including the Astronomy Club, Chemistry Club, Classic Film Club, Culinary Arts Club, Ecology Club, Fellowship of Christian Artists, Fighting Gnomes Improv Troupe, French Club, Intermezzo Club, Junior Beta Club, Junior Council, Math Club, National Honor Society, Quest, Senior Council, Student Council, Academic Quiz Bowl, Philosophy Club, World Languages & Cultures Club, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.
SPECIAL INCENTIVES: Students travel widely with their arts major teachers and peers, studying, performing, and competing throughout the United States. Students in all arts areas consistently win major local, state, and national adjudicated competitions. Students participate in the National Concert Choir, National Orchestra, All-State Band, All-State Jazz Band, Region Band, All-State Choir, All-State Orchestra, Region Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra, Southeastern Theatre Conference, Scholastic Art and Writing Award Competition, many solo and ensemble events, and a variety of local band, choir, orchestra, theatre, and dance groups. Every other year, students create a major arts production bringing together all eight arts areas, and during the year students participate in several arts convocations on campus.
FACULTY INFORMATION: Seventy very dedicated and passionate teachers holding degrees from the country's most prestigious colleges and universities teach at the School of the Arts. Two hold doctorate degrees. Twelve hold National Board Teacher Certification. All of the 20 arts faculty members and many of the academic faculty members are involved in a wide variety of Lowcountry visual and performing arts groups and organizations. The 51 academic teachers are equally as involved in professional organizations representing their disciplines.
UNIQUE ASSETS: The School of the Arts brings together very diverse and talented students, faculty members, and administrators in a tour de force of creativity, imagination, inspiration, and talent. Students pursue academic and artistic excellence as they work independently, collaboratively, and cooperatively both on campus and within the community. All students are expected to complete a senior thesis in their arts major. In the spring of 2010, School of the Arts’ new facility is set to open. The new facility will feature multiple green systems, and a 650 seat auditorium with a professional size stage, adjustable pit, and recording studio. Band and strings rooms will have the ability to digitally record and mix student performances. The visual arts are will feature five individual studios including 3D ceramics, 2D art, print making, and graphic design. Dance studios will have spring flooring, mirrored walls, ballet barres, and a variable speed sound system. The piano department will have two studios each containing fifteen keyboard stations. The theatre department will feature rooms for set and costume design. School of the Arts’ new facility will provide unparalleled opportunities for student exploration and achievement in the arts.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Students and faculty members participate in all of the Lowcountry arts groups and organizations and are frequently asked to sing, play, perform, dance, and showcase their artwork. Local, state, and national artists often visit campus to perform and hold master classes. Likewise, students and faculty participate in many civic organizations, and speakers from these groups visit the campus to share their life experiences with the students. Students are encouraged to work with diverse mentors as they develop their interests in many fields and seek to use all of their gifts, abilities, and talents.