Schools & Education
School Liaison Officer - Joint Base Charleston (AB & WS)
104 E. Simpson Street
Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404
Phone 843-963-4438
Phone (DSN) 312-963-4438
Fax 843-963-5781
Fax (DSN) 312-673-5781
Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sat and Sun - closed
Holidays - closed
Introduction
- Children of military members attend schools in the surrounding Charleston, Dorchester II, and Berkeley County School Districts. The districts provide a full range of educational programs, i.e., vocational and technical training, traditional academic programs, athletics, classes for gifted students and students with special needs. There is also a wide array of magnet, charter, virtual, and private schools options available in the area. School starts in mid-August and ends early June for most schools.
- Charleston County School District: 843-937-6300
- Berkeley County School District: 843-899-8600
- Dorchester School District Two: 843-873-2901
- Dorchester School District 4: 843-563-4535
- Note: According to state law, students must attend assigned schools within their district of residence.
- The School Liaison Officer
- The School Liaison Officer (SLO) assists military parents/guardians advocate for the K-12 educational needs of their children, including public, private, virtual, and home school support programs. The SLO can also assist with transitions to the next duty station. For more information, view the School Information Package.
- South Carolina Public Schools
- Public schools are operated at the county level under the South Carolina Department of Education. Statewide test results, and overall school quality, can vary significantly from school to school within each district. It is recommended you look at the individual schools online and visit each campus, as you make your housing decision.
- South Carolina has made great strides improving education, and is in the process of rewriting and strengthening state standards.
- South Carolina is a member of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission for which is there is information accessible online. All military families with school age children should be familiar with the rules of the compact before transferring to a new area.
- Those Living in Air Base (AB) Housing
- AB Housing is serviced by Charleston County Schools. Families may elect to attend Lambs Elementary or Hunley Park Elementary (K-5). Middle school students (6-8) are assigned to Zucker Middle School, a science magnet school. Stall High School (9-12) is a brand new state of the art facility that is demonstrating strong improvement under new leadership.
- Charleston County's Resolution to Accommodate Military Families has significantly expanded access to "Choice" school programs for military families, including nationally recognized Charleston County School of the Arts, and Academic Magnet High School. Normal applications may be submitted in accordance with district policies October - December. Families arriving after December have extended deadlines, allowing them access to the full range of options for their school age children. Contact the School Liaison Officer for more information on this program.
- Those Living in Weapons Station (WS) Base Housing
- WS housing is serviced by Berkeley County Schools. Marrington Elementary School serves grades K-5, and Marrington Middle School of the Arts, a National Blue Ribbon Award Winner for grades 6-8. Any active duty military family attached to Joint Base Charleston, and living in Berkeley County, may arrange to have their children attend these schools. Contact the School Liaison Officer for more information on this program, or visit the Berkeley County Military Families website. Located on the same campus, Goose Creek High School and the Berkeley Center for the Arts provide comprehensive 9-12 curriculum.
- New Student Registration: Tips for Changing to a New School
- Arrange for official copies of your school records to be sent to your new school. Usually parents or a guardian must sign release papers providing the old school permission to send records to the new school. Get an unofficial copy of your transcript/grades to hand carry. This will enable your child to be comparably placed at the new school, in case your official records are delayed. Contact the guidance counselor at your new school. The school's email and phone numbers are available on the websites listed above. Find out all you can about the courses you are going to sign up for at the new school. Algebra II may cover different material at your new school, don't wait for an unpleasant surprise.
- Enrollment
- Children who will be five years old on or before 1 September must register for Kindergarten. Children who will be four years old on or before 1 September may be eligible for pre-school, but strict guidelines apply. Contact the school in your attendance zone for available slots and requirements for eligibility to attend.
- Note: According to South Carolina Law, school-aged children must be transferred / enrolled in school within 10 days.
- Bring the following documents to the school at the time of registration:
- Student’s Birth Certificate
- Completed S.C. Immunization Form (DHEC 1125: Can be provided by Medical)
- Child’s Social Security card
- Proof of residence (normally two sources)
- School records from previous school if available
- Special Education records, if applicable
- Proof of guardianship, if applicable
- Latest report card if possible
- For specific information contact the school you will plan to attend, or the local district office.
- Immunizations
- Requirements can vary from state to state. The Medical Clinic will assist you with proper immunizations for South Carolina. Call: 843-963-6714 for the AB, or 843-794-6000 at the WS. They will complete DHEC Form 1125, required for enrollment in the SC school system.
- Special Education
- Contact South Carolina's Office of Exceptional Children at 1-866-628-0910. The Joint Base Charleston Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Coordinator can be reached at 843-963-4406, and can assist with the special educational needs of your children.
- Home School
- South Carolina statutes provide parents or guardians with three different options for home schooling their children. The choice is left up to the parents or guardians to select the option that is best for their children. For detailed information on getting started with home schooling in South Carolina, refer to Home Schooling on the South Carolina State Department of Education website.
- State Charter and Virtual Schools
- The South Public Charter School district provides a wide array of charter and virtual school options statewide, including statewide programs for gifted and talented students. Information can be found online for these options.
- Private Schools
- Private schools in the greater Charleston area are too numerous to list and the choice is a personal matter. It is suggested that the private schools be contacted directly to determine tuition requirements. There may be additional fees for some programs.
- Adult Education
- The Base Education Center can provide information on Adult Education programs. It offers a wide range of educational services and programs to help people fulfill their educational goals. The local school districts also have Adult Education Programs for adults living within their attendance zones.
Homes Near Base
