Some of the schools your child may be applying for are "selective." That means there are a set of criteria to be accepted.
what matters most?
1. Grades (GPA) this includes iReady/MAP scores (75%)
Additionally for Private Schools students will have to take the ERB test (February of your application year)
Essay or writing abilities
2. Attendance & Tardies (under 10 for the WHOLE YEAR)
3. Discipline & Behavior (communicated in reports as well as TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS)
Additionally for Private Schools, applicants will have to interview.
4. Financial Standing (currently) and completing ongoing Financial Aid (this looks different for Public v. Private)
what should you be doing now?
Begin doing your research on all schools. You have options, so check them out!
Check in on ParentPortal or however you receive grades from your child's school
Make sure you have signed up for any app based messaging programs your school uses.
Check in on portfolios/auditions if applying to SOA. EARLY & OFTEN
Check in on your child's progress with MAP & their growth goals.
Campus based family meeting schedule:
Whole Group Family Meetings are scheduled by your ATC. Make sure you are regularly checking email and all info sharing sources.
Partner Schools to research (middle school)
Private Schools
Porter-Gaud School
Ashley Hall
Mason Prep
Charleston Day School
The Cooper School
Parochial Schools (Religiously Affiliated)
First Baptist
Charleston Catholic
Blessed Sacrament
Non Charleston County Schools
East Edisto Middle School
Mevers School of Excellence
Rollings School of the Arts
Partner Schools to research, Con't. (middle school)
CCSD School Choice Schools
Buist Academy (also requires a certain iReady or MAP test score)
Allegro School of Music
School of the Arts (also requires a competitive audition)
C.E. Williams
Military Magnet Academy
State Charter Schools
Charleston Charter Math and Science
Palmetto Scholars Academy
Green Charter
Charleston Development Academy
Use these tools to check school ratings and to see what schools you are zoned for!
2025-26 open house dates
Your ATC has added these to your calendars via email addresses provided!
If your child is auditioning for SOA please check and keep up with their portfolios and status regularly. We need parents checking in on work more than you normally would because we only have a limited time with them to get prepared.
Here is where you can look to see what is needed for their art major audition.
Every week please ask to see what your child is working on!
recommendations
This is what a sample teacher recommendation might look like. Fill one out with your child(ren) together and see how you might respond as if you were your child's teacher. Official recommendations are kept confidential and will be turned in directly to the school via your child's Alumni Transition Coordinator or online if they are emailed directly to your child's teacher.
If the school is requesting an emailed recommendation please use the following information:
Math:
ELA:
SS:
Guidance/Admin:
Personal narratives
Every week during HSP in December, we will be working on private school personal narratives. This is also our practice for the ERB writing prompts that will take place in February. Each student has a certain amount to complete each week within their google classroom. Please check in on this as we are not allowed to give a lot of editing, notes, or feedback.
Right before Christmas break, your ATC will email you your child's responses. You can then copy/paste them into online applications or they can be attached to paper applications. Whatever they do not finish will have to be done with you.
If your child is not applying to a private school, this is excellent practice for narrative writing! This will also be a requirement if you are applying to Academic Magnet!
sending off records
Many choice or selective schools will ask for the following information:
Transcript and/ or report cards
Standardized Testing (MAP, SC Ready, PSAT, and potentially the ISEE)
Teacher Recommendations
IEPs/ Neuro-evaulations / 504 Plans (if applicable)
Alumni Transition Coordinators will be sending records to all private schools that you are applying to for your child.
State charters (can live outside of ccsd)
Charleston Charter for Math & Science: IS NOW part of the CCSD Choice application! Make sure you add them as an option if you are in CCSD**
Palmetto Scholars Academy applications! APPLY ASAP
(6th-12th Grade)
Oceanside Collegiate: APPLICATIONS! Apply here. Program of Studies here.
(High School only)
Current Status of CCSD Choice Applications
Currently the CCSD Choice applications are not available to the public. Last year they were making some changes to the system. We think that these applications will be available at the end of January and close at the end of February. We will keep you posted as we know more!
High School Websites- Magnet/Charter Schools
See more details on individual high schools on the High School Criteria Tab.
PSAT Prep
(8th grade only)
For Brentwood Students: Your PSAT test will be in October.
Go to Khan Academy for test prep
PSAT scores will be discussed during conferences.