Charleston Day School focuses on the primary through middle school years, a critical time for a student’s development of the skills, competencies, and passions that will fuel a lifetime of learning. Since its inception in 1937, Charleston Day School has provided a rigorous academic experience for its students. Our program offers the best possible setting and resources to prepare students for the eventual challenges of high school, college, graduate school and life.
We pay attention. The small school setting enables faculty members to know and nurture each individual. Teachers identify students’ strengths and talents. Then, they use those skills to advance ones that are still developing. Students develop confidence and competence through a strong partnership between the school and the home.
Two important beliefs are at the heart of our teaching philosophy: social emotional development is inextricably linked with academic achievement, and engaging curriculum creates a foundation for deeper understanding.
Our Lower School strives to build a love of learning.
In Middle School, our teachers work with students to prepare them for the demands of high school. Emphasis is placed on developing fluid, articulate writing skills, thinking deeply about literature, and gaining confidence with independent study habits.
Charleston Day School’s approach to preparing students for high school is not only focused, including mock interviews, test practice, school visitations and applications, but the process is also highly personalized.
Children exposed to world language in the early grades show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility. Charleston Day School is committed to language education during the early years in order to foster early engagement with world languages and cultures. Our world language program has been designed with four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It provides exposure to the cultures of the languages and sets up students for success in the language of their choice by the time they graduate from CDS.
Whether students are meeting in small groups in our historic Moore Learning Center, or participating in a technology class in our 1,800 square foot library and maker space, we encourage a growth mindset and creative thinking. Our inspirational learning spaces provide many options for collaboration and communication.
Using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a skills-based science curriculum, our students apply their scientific toolbox across disciplines. Our two dedicated science labs and classroom garden spaces provide the backdrop for innovation and excitement!
To help reinforce and maintain skills students learned during the school year, we assign a mix of summer work for all CDS students. In June, CDS faculty members provide several summer camp options from arts and crafts to science experiments, allowing children to explore new interests and hobbies they might not encounter in their regular school curriculum
First graders met their fifth grade “Big” last Wednesday during their first CDS Bigs and Littles activity time. The ...
Charleston Day is proud to share that Keller Smith is the 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award. ...
Charleston Day opened the first day of the school year by gathering the whole school in the parking lot ...
On May 28, the Charleston Day community participated in our annual Day of Service. Service activities provide opportunities for ...
Six middle school students recently participated in a friendly (and tasty!) culinary competition. In addition, the event raised funds ...
As part of Read Across America Day celebrations, librarian, Sarah Young, planned a book author visit. We welcomed book ...
Attention, pie enthusiasts of all ages! Get ready as we recap the annual 3rd grade pie writing contest and ...
