Orange Grove Elementary Charter School

Orange Grove Elementary Charter School is located in Charleston and offers grades kindergarten through 5th, and serves approximately 1,100 students. The student-teacher ratio is about 15:1, and the school has highly qualified teachers, aides, and specialty staff focused on literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering Math), and the arts. Academic achievement is strong, with math and reading proficiency well above the state average, and the school is often rated one of the best elementary schools in South Carolina. Many of the students are white, but there is a group of African American, Hispanic, and multiracial students that contribute to the variety. It is located in the West Ashley neighborhood, which has a median home price of between $400K and $525K. Parents regularly mention the nurturing environment, caring staff, and overall balance of academic rigor and students' personal growth.

While specific tech integration details were not recent, the school's literacy plan references its use of the iReady Reading program for student testing and progress tracking.

Q1: What sets Orange Grove apart from other public schools?

As a charter school, it is allowed flexibility in specifically creating its own curriculum and programming.

Q2: Is Orange Grove a STEM focused public school?

Yes, STEM is a strong focus at the school with lab-based lessons, hands on projects, and coding lessons.

Q3: How do the arts factor into education?

The school curriculum includes visual arts, drama, and music in addition to academic subjects.

Q4: What is the role of parents at Orange Grove?

Parents can be as involved as they want to be via committees, volunteerism, and input on the decision-making process.

Q5: Do they offer character education programs?

Yes. The school recognizes the importance of fostering values such as respect and responsibility, as well as community service.