Charleston Day School

Charleston Day School

Head of School Welcome

Message from Judith Foley Arnstein

Welcome to Charleston Day School. We’re delighted to introduce you to our warm and welcoming campus located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, where students in kindergarten through grade 8 are challenged, inspired and engaged each day. Our unique location in the heart of historic Charleston allows our faculty and students to utilize the entire city as a classroom, providing ample off-campus opportunities to explore venues of tremendous historical and cultural significance. At CDS, learning literally comes alive as students and faculty take advantage of the nearby opportunities for hands-on learning that our location affords.

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.

The mission of Charleston Day is to foster scholarship, integrity, respect and responsibility in our students. This straightforward set of values provides direction for every member of the school community and reminds us that the academic development of our students should be balanced with the formation of character and integrity.  The Charleston Day School faculty and staff take this mission seriously, and it guides our daily lives.

Relationships are at the core of the Charleston Day School experience—between students and teachers, and among peers actively engaged in the pursuit of academic excellence. Small class sizes and exceptional teacher-student ratios enable our educators to help children take intellectual risks, develop confidence in their abilities, and shape their identities as individuals. At Charleston Day School, students are supported and challenged to their fullest capabilities at all levels. Our student body of 250 thrives in this personal environment where all students and faculty members know and respect each other. Students and faculty enjoy being at Charleston Day because the relationships here are positive and deep. Alumni visit frequently and continually comment on the lasting nature of the numerous friendships they formed during their years at CDS.

I encourage you to visit us in person at 15 Archdale Street. Come meet our teachers and students. Watch them in action and experience firsthand the palpable energy and excitement that results from teachers and students engaging in meaningful work together.

We look forward to meeting you.

Judith Foley Arnstein
Head of School

Equity and Inclusion Statement

As members of the Charleston Day School Community, we will treat all with dignity and respect to create a culture of inclusion, and we will be champions of difference to advance intellectual and personal growth while becoming engaged citizens of the world.

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