Charleston's Independent School Directory 2018-19

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov ISD INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS W hen it comes to school choice, there can be a lot of confusion surrounding the terms “charter,” “magnet” and “Montessori.” To make the most informed decision for our children, it’s important to have a fundamental understanding of each. While magnet and charter schools are part of the public education system, Montessori schools can be public or private because the focus is on a particular method of teaching. Charter and magnet schools can focus students’ attention on a specific area of study, but it’s essential that students have an interest in this specific subject if they want to succeed. The principal at the Allegro Charter School of Music, Daniel Neikirk, explained: “I would strongly encourage parents and students to apply to Allegro and other choice schools, but it’s not the only or always correct option. Each school has a specific purpose and focus, and the students attending should be interested and dedicated to that mission.” At the School of the Arts, an area magnet school, Principal Shannon Cook echoed Neikirk’s sentiment: “SOA is a great place for students who have already identified with an arts area that they are passionate about. If teachers and parents have identified someone who has interest and skills in a topic like writing, this is the place to develop those skills.” Divided into four block periods, the SOA schedule sets aside 90 minutes per day for students to delve into their chosen major of creative writing, theater, dance, visual arts By Samantha Connors School Choice The Differences Among Magnet, Charter and Montessori or costume and fashion design, as well as several musical programs, including band, strings and piano. The most significant difference between a charter and a magnet school is the way in which they operate. Charter schools take a unique approach toward education and have a specific mission, but they have their own school board, along with much more autonomy in how the school operates. “The county has control over a charter in that they approve the charter for a certain length of time, usually five to 10 years, and then evaluate at the end of that period to see if the charter is serving its purpose and should be renewed,” Neikirk explained. “Decisions in all areas of school operation – hiring, start times and dates, facilities, curriculum – are made independently by each charter school. And charters can have no test, audition, fee or any other requirement except area of residency.” “The charter under which a magnet school is established determines the focus of the school and the perameters for acceptance for enrollment,” Cook added. “We are not a charter in that we don’t act independently of the district; we’re just one of the district’s schools with a unique focus.” Montessori schools differ because this method can be applied in either charter, magnet or traditional public or private schools. The focus in this educational setting is on a specific type of teaching developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, who saw the value in fostering a child’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs. This method of education is implemented in a number of ways, from encouraging children to socialize with other students outside of their age group, which allows them to learn from one another, to providing them with a certain degree of freedom in their learning.