as a small group of community members who recognized the need for a school that would provide a high-quality, college preparatory education to students who were assigned to failing public schools in Charleston. We developed the idea for our Flagship school, Meeting Street Academy Charleston, as a result of the belief that a child’s zip code should not determine his or her educational opportunities.
founding members met with then Mayor, Joseph P. Riley, to discuss the concept of Meeting Street Academy. Mayor Riley was so inspired by the school’s premise and potential benefit to the Charleston community that he began working to secure a site for our flagship school.
our first group of students to come and learn with us at MSA-Charleston, then located at 1156 King Street. Our teachers and staff provided education and support to 45 preschoolers (PK3 & PK4) and their families.
generously leased/donated land at 642 Meeting Street (corner of Meeting and Cool Blow Streets) for the future site of MSA-Charleston.
All students entered first grade with the ability to read grade-level and above grade-level texts.
(elected Governor in November the same year), visited MSA-Charleston and launched the education platform of her campaign from our site.
came to visit us at MSA-Charleston to get a first-hand look at our learning environment, already generating impressive results with our students. One of these visitors was inspired to propose a partnership with MSA-Charleston to develop a second Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg, SC.
at the site of MSA-Charleston’s current location, 642 Meeting Street, began with Mayor Joseph P. Riley serving as Master of Ceremonies.
visited MSA–Charleston and inspired our students and families with the story of his upbringing. Congressman Scott stressed the critical importance of education on the path to becoming a leader in the community.
hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly completed 642 Meeting Street location. Governor Nikki Haley, Former Mayor Joseph P. Riley and State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais participated in the event and celebrated the accomplishments of Meeting Street Academy-Charleston students and teachers.
Meeting Street Schools celebrated the opening of its second school in Spartanburg, SC: MSA-Spartanburg.
Ben Navarro, participated in TEDxCharleston, inspiring the Charleston community and beyond by sharing the Meeting Street Academy story and how academic success is possible for children from all backgrounds.
opened Meeting Street Elementary @Brentwood with the Charleston County School District, the first public-private educational partnership of its kind in South Carolina.
the first graduating 5th grade class at Meeting Street Academy-Charleston!
at Meeting Street Academy-Charleston’s main campus. Additional classrooms were built to accommodate more students in downtown Charleston.
with Spartanburg School District 7. We opened our Spartanburg location as a public school, serving students in a newly created attendance zone.
at Meeting Street Academy-Charleston.
Meeting Street Elementary @ Brentwood celebrated the opening of a first-of-its kind clinic on campus, thanks to a partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina. MSE@B’s school-based clinic has a full-time nurse practitioner on staff who can diagnose conditions, write prescriptions and order X-rays and lab work as needed. A pediatrician is available to see patients once a week. The clinic is designed to meet students where they are by providing them with quality healthcare when they need it, without their parents having to worry about arranging transportation or taking off work. School-based health has been proven to increase academic performance and positively impact student health outcomes. We are grateful for our partnership with MUSC and this amazing opportunity to improve the lives of our students and families.
Join a community of incredible, passionate people working to change the lives of our students. Our compensation and benefits are a cut above the rest: the most competitive total compensation in the region.
Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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