JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Joint Base Charleston is serviced by three county and one state charter, school districts.
Joint Base Charleston - Air Base (JB Charleston - AB)
Air Base residents are assigned schools in the Charleston County School District. Residents may choose Hunley Park or Lambs Elementary Schools for students K-5 grades; Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science for in students grades 6 - 8 and Stall High School serving students grades 9 - 12.
Since 2010 the Air Base has worked collaboratively with Charleston County School District (CCSD) to improve options for approximately 600 school age military students living on and near the installation. In April 2011 CCSD approved the Resolution for Accommodating Military Families, extending the "Choice School" application process for those arriving after the normal deadlines. A 20 seat allocation was provided to both Academic Magnet High School and Charleston County School of the Arts for military students who meet the rigid entrance requirements. CCSD works proactively, with military families to provide flexibility through inter/intra district transfers.
In 2012 the Resolution for Accommodating Military Families was expanded to include all of Charleston County's Choice School options. This provided additional elementary and middle school options for military families arriving after lottery application deadlines. A special application allows families to select three school choices (transportation may or may not be provided). Charleston County School District will make every effort to find a "comparable placement" in accordance with the Military Interstate Children's Compact. Charleston County School District has appointed a military liaison who routes the application to an individual POC for military families.
Joint Base Charleston Weapons Station (JB Charleston - WS)
Berkeley County School District (BCSD) provides educational programs to approximately 1400 military children and operates 2 schools on JB Charleston - WS.
Marrington Elementary serves students Pre-K through 5 grades. Many students are active duty military dependents. Pre K is available on a limited basis to families who qualify.
Marrington Middle School of the Arts serves students 6-8 grades. The entire curriculum is art infused and a new performing arts center was recently constructed. Berkley County School District (BCSD) allows any active duty military family assigned to JB Charleston - WS and residing in Berkeley County, the choice of attending Marrington schools (transportation is not provided other than for on base residents). Goose Creek High School serves students 9 - 12 grades, high school students can also apply to attend the Berkeley Center for the Arts, arts infused magnet program at Goose Creek High School.
Dorchester School District Two (DD2)
Dorchester School District Two (DD2) provides K-12 grades service to more than 1100 active duty families living in the district. The district works proactively with military families, on an individual basis, to provide some flexibility in school assignments based on unique family situations.
Palmetto Scholars Academy (PSA)
Palmetto Scholars Academy leased Air Force property on JB Charleston in 2012, and has since constructed a new campus located at 7499 Dorchester Road, on property leased from the Department of Defense. PSA's rigorous/challenging curriculum is designed to meet the needs of gifted and talented/strong performing students, something JB Charleston parents indicated was lacking in the local middle/high schools. PSA is open to all South Carolina students in grades 6 -12, military families are encouraged to apply during the regular lottery, held the third Wednesday of February each year. The charter school law provides a 20 per cent set aside for active duty military children assigned to JB Charleston.
The School Liaison Officer can be reached at the following locations:
Airman & Family Readiness Center
104 E. Simpson Street
Building 500
North Charleston, SC 29404
(843) 963-4406
Fleet & Family Support Center
1005 Jefferson Avenue
Building 755
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 794-7480