After School SMAART
Registration for Fall 2025 After School SMAART classes is now closed. Waitlisted students will be contacted as spots become available.
Program Overview
For students who have been identified as Artistically Gifted and Talented (GTR), the Charleston County School District offers a slate of after school programs each semester in Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Art. Class offerings, dates, and locations vary depending on the availability of teachers as well as student interest. Information about these classes and registration forms are shared with families of eligible students in the fall and winter prior to the beginning of each class session.
Depending on the course you select, classes will meet once or twice a week. These classes are open to students who have already been identified as Artistically Gifted & Talented. Before registering your student for a class, please note the course's grade range and Arts area to make sure they're eligible to enroll.
Classes for the Fall 2025 program will run for 12 weeks from the week of September 22 to the week of December 15 (with no class the week of November 24 for Thanksgiving Break). Times and days of the week vary by class. Most meet once a week, but a few meet twice. Please see the course listings below for more information.
District transportation is not provided for these after school classes.
If your child has not been identified as Artistically Gifted & Talented and you are interested in them being nominated/tested, please click here.
Please see the list below for our Fall 2025 After School SMAART course offerings!
SMAART Dance
Instructor: Isla Black
Location: Wando High School, Room G-103
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 6-9
Date/Time: Mondays, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
This course will introduce students to accelerated concepts in dance, including codified jazz/contemporary technique, conditioning, composition, and improvisation. The course will culminate in a showcase performance on December 3, 2025 at the Wando High School Performing Arts Center along with dancers from the Wando High School dance program.
SMAART Musical Theatre
Instructor: Alysia Lambert
Location: Goodwin Elementary, Room 301
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Date/Time: Thursdays, 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Students will learn and practice vocal techniques for singing in a group as well as basic dance steps used in musical theatre. The final class will include a parent demonstration.
Puppetry Explorations
Instructor: Jill Goodman
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 106
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 7-12
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
During this class, we will explore different styles of puppetry from around the globe. From shadow puppets to something you might see on the Muppets, students are in for a treat!
Puppetry Foundations
Instructor: Jill Goodman
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 105
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
During this class, we will explore different styles of puppetry from around the globe. From shadow puppets to something you might see on the Muppets, students are in for a treat!
Triple T Tune-Up: Acting, Singing, & Dance (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Heather Todd-Schlieper
Location: Buist Academy Media Center
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-8
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Update your acting, singing, and dance skills with new thinking and ideas! Learn a new monologue and find a fresh solo to sing whilst brushing up on your dance routine to your favorite musical theme tune. Then add something NEW to your repertoire like juggling, acrobatics, miming, magic, stage sword fighting, or a comedy set!
Beginning Guitar
Instructor: Elaina Windes
Location: Stiles Point Elementary, Trailer C10
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 7-12
Day/Time: Mondays AND Wednesdays, 4:00 - 6:00 PM*
A beginner-level guitar course for anyone who has always wanted to play, but wasn't sure how to begin learning. In-class guitars will be provided!.
*Please note that this class meets twice a week.
Charleston Children’s Chorus
Instructors: Justin Watkins & Anna Reid
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 606
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-12
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
The Charleston Children's Chorus consists of vocalists in Grades 4-12 from across the Charleston County School District. In addition to Winter and Spring Concerts, the group often performs at community events.
For questions about eligibility, please contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 843-937-6456.
District Jazz Band
Instructor: Jack Pettit
Location: Stiles Point Elementary, Trailer C10
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 7-12
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Band students from across the Charleston County School District are invited to participate in CCSD's District Jazz Band! Participants must have at least 1 year of classroom experience on the following instruments to be part of the ensemble:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Alto, Tenor, or Baritone Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion/Drum Set
- Electric Guitar
- Electric Bass
- Upright Bass
- Piano
For questions about eligibility, please contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 843-937-6456.
District Orchestra
Instructors: Jessica Zhou Seymour, Ian Errandonea, Dominik Fields, and Buddy Huckabee,
Location: Allegro Charter School of Music Fine Arts Wing
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-12
Day/Time: Mondays, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
The Charleston County District Orchestra consists of three performance ensembles made up of Strings students in Grades 4-12 from across the Charleston County School District:
- Preparatory Orchestra
- Intermezzo Orchestra
- Honors Orchestra
Ensemble members must play at least at a beginner level with one of the following instruments:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Bass
For questions about eligibility, please contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 843-937-6456.
SMAART Musical Theatre
Instructor: Alysia Lambert
Location: Goodwin Elementary, Room 301
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Date/Time: Thursdays, 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Students will learn and practice vocal techniques for singing in a group as well as basic dance steps used in musical theatre. The final class will include a parent demonstration.
Steel Drums Class
Instructor: Justin Brooks
Location: R.B. Stall High School, Room B119
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 5-12
Day/Time: Tuesdays AND Thursdays, 3:45 PM - 5:30 PM*
A fun, high-energy music group where students of all levels learn to play steel drums, explore Caribbean and contemporary styles, and build teamwork skills. Includes rehearsals, music production, and performances that will showcase our unique sound.
*Please note that this class meets twice a week.
The Artist's Book
Instructor: Mimi Tierney
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 603
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 9-12
Day/Time: Thursdays, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
How can you take your artwork beyond one canvas or one piece of paper? Book making is the perfect blend of 2D and 3D art. Learn to make several different types of books to tell a story and expand your art and ideas beyond one piece of paper or a flat surface.
The Artist's Sketchbook (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Mimi Tierney
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 603
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-8
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
This class will explore various skill builders to develop artistic habits in sketchbook making. This class will take a mixed media approach exploring drawing, collage, painting, and printmaking.
Ceramics (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Jennifer Goodall
Location: Whitesides Elementary School, Room 605
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-5
Day/Time: Mondays, 3:15 - 4:15 PM
This course is designed to teach young learners the fundamentals of handbuilding with clay. There will be several lessons using various techniques with ceramics and glazes. The students will have a fantastic time creating with clay!
Ceramics Handbuilding Techniques & Glazing
Instructor: Tracy Harler
Location: Goodwin Elementary School, Room 303
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-8
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 3:45 - 5:30 PM
We will be learning and reviewing handbuilding and glazing techniques, and discovering how we can use these techniques in creating our own project designs. We will have an exhibit of our work in the last class.
The Drawing Lab (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Scobey Thompson
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 602
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 9-12
Day/Time: Thursdays, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
In this drawing class for gifted 9th–12th grade students, you’ll explore a wide range of mediums—graphite, pen and ink, colored pencil, alcohol marker, and mixed media—while sharpening your technical skills and experimenting with diverse styles. Whether you’re refining the precision of realism or embracing a more expressive approach, you’ll gain the creative strategies, technical skills, and confidence to develop your own artistic voice.
Fundamentals of Printmaking
Instructor: Maggie Feyko
Location: West Ashley High School, Room 601
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 9-12
Day/Time: Thursdays, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
This course would be a deep dive into Printmaking at the high school Level. Students will learn how to make their own stamps, print on fabric, use printing ink to make books, and more!
Intro to Costume Design
Instructor: Heather Jones
Location: R.B. Stall High School, C-101
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 8-12
Day/Time: Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Students will learn the foundations of Costume Design: from analyzing a short script or passage to research to creating costume illustrations. Students will focus on illustrating and rendering human poses, designs with details, and texture. Students will be able to explore costume illustrations through various mediums, including watercolor and gouache, colored pencil, marker, etc.
Metal, Wire, and Wearable Art (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Julianna McRae
Location: St. Andrew's Elementary, Room 111
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Day/Time: Mondays, 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
Get ready to design, build, and create! In this class, students will explore jewelry and metalworking techniques to make both awesome wearables and small-scale sculptures. We’ll work with paper, wire, metal, and found objects to craft projects like wire creatures, metal-embossed art, faux stained glass, pendants, beads, and more. Whether you want to design something to wear, something to display, or both—you’ll learn the skills to turn your ideas into one-of-a-kind creations. Build it. Wear it. Show it off!
Puppetry Explorations
Instructor: Jill Goodman
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 106
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 7-12
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
During this class, we will explore different styles of puppetry from around the globe. From shadow puppets to something you might see on the Muppets, students are in for a treat!
Puppetry Foundations
Instructor: Jill Goodman
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 105
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
During this class, we will explore different styles of puppetry from around the globe. From shadow puppets to something you might see on the Muppets, students are in for a treat!
Still Life Remix (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Brenda Reyes
Location: Johns Island Elementary School, Room 117
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-5
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 3:25 PM - 4:45 PM
This course will introduce basic art concepts through the arrangement and drawing of inanimate objects.
Students will learn about elements of art and develop observational drawing skills using a
variety of art supplies. After mastering the basics, students will then move beyond traditional still life drawings to embrace contemporary approaches, develop style, experimentation, and play with mixed media.
Tackling Textiles Explorations (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Angelica D'Antonio
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 105
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 7-12
Day/Time: Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
This course will cover a wide range of textile artwork in both a functional and decorative sense! Projects include skill building in hand embroidery, fabric collage, crochet, & more! While some skills might repeat from one semester to the next, all projects & designs will always be new! I encourage students who have taken this course in the past to continue building upon their skills each semester with new and creative projects!
Tackling Textiles Foundations (WAITLIST - CLASS FULL)
Instructor: Angelica D'Antonio
Location: Lucy Beckham High School, Room 105
Eligible Grade Levels: Grades 4-6
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
This course will cover a wide range of textile artwork in both a functional and decorative sense! Projects include skill building in hand embroidery, fabric collage, crochet, & more! While some skills might repeat from one semester to the next, all projects & designs will always be new! I encourage students who have taken this course in the past to continue building upon their skills each semester with new and creative projects!
Contact Us
Charleston County School District
Visual & Performing Arts Office
75 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
General Inquiries
843-937-6423
ashley_chisolm@charleston.k12.sc.us
Gifted & Talented Programs
843-937-6456
nicholas_nafpliot@charleston.k12.sc.us
