June 19, 2016
It is time to close the devastating, but persistent, achievement gap between students in Charleston County whose families have resources and those whose don’t.
And the familiar dodge about how difficult it would be isn’t acceptable. That gap already is being eliminated here on a small scale. The challenge of expanding that success district-wide would be a worthy priority for the new Charleston County School District superintendent, Gerrita Postlewait.
A visit to Meeting Street Elementary @ Brentwood points the way.
Last fall, the school, a public/private partnership, opened for students living in a zone with a history of failure. Meeting Street Schools, which already had established two private schools for under-resourced students, was allowed to choose the staff, select the curriculum and set the calendar. CCSD provided the regular local contribution per child — $3,000.
In the fall, first graders at Brentwood were given the same tests as students at Title 1 schools in North Charleston. They were comparable — 34 percent in the top two quartiles and 66 percent in the bottom two.
But when they were tested in the spring, 84 percent of Brentwood’s students were in the first or second quartile. That means they are on the early track to be eligible for Life Scholarships.
Kindergartners showed similar success with 86 percent in the top two quartiles by spring.
Its first grade class ended well above the national average in both reading and math.
The performance was significantly better than that at North Charleston Title 1 schools with similar student demographics.
Ben Navarro, a local businessman, established Meeting Street Schools and helps funds them. He talks about good business practices applying to schools: accountability, effective staffing, adequate resources and solid assessments.
Brentwood’s mission of providing excellent academics to under-resourced children involves recognizing that these children deserve excellent schooling and that they can achieve great things in the classroom.
And they do.
Mr. Navarro wholly funds the school’s program for 3-year-olds because the school district doesn’t. The school day and its calendar year are longer than a traditional school’s. And each classroom has two teachers. The school provides medical and dental screening, healthy meals and exposure to people and places in the community.
Brentwood’s philosophy is not to blame families for shortcomings at home but to provide programs that meet students’ needs at school. Parents are encouraged to be active in the school, and 100 percent of parents regularly attend parent/teacher conferences.
Before the school year started, principal Sara Campbell visited every student’s home to welcome the families and talk with them about what to expect.
Mr. Navarro acknowledges that CCSD has some obstacles to replicating Brentwood. Foremost is the state Teacher Dismissal Act, which makes it difficult to weed out teachers who are not succeeding with students. He says businesses anticipate dismissing 5 to 10 percent of their workforce every year for inadequate performance and that demanding high standards pays off.
Also, he says, CCSD’s big bureaucracy can be cumbersome. Meeting Street Schools principals are allowed to recruit nationally to find teachers with a passion to change children’s lives. And principals can replace teachers when necessary.
The tragic slaying of nine people as they studied the Bible at Emanuel AME Church has inspired people to reflect on becoming a fair and united community.
Giving every student a chance to get an excellent education is basic to that goal. Schools can’t guarantee equal outcomes, but they should guarantee equal opportunities.
And the time to make it happen is now.
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.”
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