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Magnet School
Charleston County School District

Charleston School of the Arts

#3 in Best Public High Schools in Charleston Area
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • Public, Magnet
  • 6-12
  • North Charleston, SC
  • 213 reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A
  2. Diversity
    B
  3. Teachers
    B+
  4. College Prep
    A-
  5. Clubs & Activities
    B-
  6. Health & Safety
    A+
  7. Administration
    C+
  8. Sports
    NG
  9. Food
    B+
  10. Resources & Facilities
    B+
View Full Report Card
Charleston School of the Arts is a highly rated, public, magnet school located in North Charleston, SC. It has 1,109 students in grades 6-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 83% of students are at least proficient in math and 89% in reading.
Address
5109-b West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
Telephone
(843) 529-4990
Website
ccsdschools.com

Charleston School of the Arts Rankings

Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

Academics

Percent Proficient - Reading
89%
Percent Proficient - Math
83%
Average Graduation Rate
95%
Average SAT
1190
174 responses
Average ACT
27
91 responses
AP Enrollment
39%
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Living in the Area
B
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Cost of Living
    B
  2. Good for Families
    B-
  3. Housing
    C+
Area Feel
Suburban
Median Household Income
$39,944
National
$55,322
Median Rent
$952
National
$949
Median Home Value
$155,900
National
$184,700

Culture & Safety

Health & Safety
A+
Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
Poll
94%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school.17 responses
Poll
88%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.17 responses
Poll
What are your favorite school events or traditions?
Based on 59 responses
Report
  • Jump Jive and Wail
    20%
  • Jazz band
    17%
  • Convocation
    14%
  • Grub on the Green
    10%
  • Concerts
    8%
  • Musicals
    8%
  • Theatre Performances
    8%

Students

Diversity
B
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
1,109
Free or Reduced Lunch
10%
85%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.20 responses
100%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.20 responses
20%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.20 responses

Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
National
17:1
Average Teacher Salary
$53,119
Teachers in First/Second Year
5.9%
78%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.32 responses
78%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.32 responses
91%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.32 responses

Clubs & Activities

Clubs & Activities
B-
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
Expenses Per Student
$16,355/ year
National
$12,239
65%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.31 responses
45%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.31 responses
71%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.31 responses
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Charleston School of the Arts Reviews

213 reviews
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I survived! Every SOA student will complain about their terrible teachers and its true there are more than a handful. However, the Math department is getting better with the help of Ms. Mahoney (Calculus teacher), and the new Algebra teacher. The History department is VERY solid. ajority of the 2017 graduate class are declared science and arts majors in college. Our students are well rounded as the teachers actually try to form bonds with the students. The arts is such a huge part of the student lives and shapes them into beautiful people. Though the methods of this school may be arbitrary, less than 10 students from the 2017 decided not to attend college/take a gap year, a large handful committed to Clemson University, University of South Carolina, and College of Charleston. Others committed to colleges up north and a few pursued global.
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While the school charter describes the arts as an enrichment activity the band and vocal teachers act like the students are training to be professional musicians. This causes friction with the academics and leaves the students stuck in the middle. The administration's ineptitude with logistics is frequently apparent. I feel that the students could achieve a high level of artistic ability as a result of 1.5 hours of practice per day that they are scheduled. The instructors seem too stuck on their state and regional rankings to allow for the students to fully explore the creative potential that this school could have. On the other hand the school is highly ranked in the state, although that state is South Carolina. Also find outside help with college counseling unless your student is souly interested in state schools.
The small community was really supportive and pleasant to be in. However, of the small size caused academic class options to be very limited. While about a fourth of my classes were not challenging or productive (mostly math and language classes) the rest of the courses I took were far more challenging than my peers in other local high schools. I think the best thing about SOA is/was the arts programs and the opportunity to work with other majors and really focus on what you love and are good at even if you don't pursue it as a career. The biggest thing SOA needs to work on is administration. The administration was far too unorganized, sloppy, and constantly changing.