Charleston Day School
Charleston Day is a coeducational day school in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. It was founded in 1937 by Mary Stuart and Emily Tenney, who headed the institution for many years. Current enrollment is 266 and range in grade level from kindergarten to 8th grade.
| Charleston Day School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| , United States | |
| Coordinates | 32°46′42″N 79°56′06″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private Day School |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Head of School | Judith Arnstein |
| Faculty | 40 |
| Grades | Kindergarten through 8th grade |
| Enrollment | 266 |
| Campus | Urban |
| Campus size | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) |
| Color(s) | Red, white and blue |
| Nickname | Scorpions |
| Endowment | $3m |
| Website | Official website |
History
Founded in 1937 by Mary Stuart and Emily Tenney, Charleston Day School is a school with a mission to create a tradition of academic excellence and strong moral values.
Charleston Day School opened its doors on South Battery to fourteen students in five grades in 1937. The new school quickly outgrew its home on the Battery, so it relocated to a new facility on the corner of Elliot Street and Bedon’s Alley.
As the demands of the school expanded, the founders recognized the need to restructure the administration, and in 1969, a Board of Trustees was established to oversee the school as a nonprofit corporation. Miss Stuart and Miss Tenney retired in 1971 and were followed by Wallace Frampton, whose tenure saw the move to a larger site on State Street in 1973.
In 1974, he was succeeded by Edgar S. Jaycocks, whose tenure saw the construction of the Founders’ Wing in 1981.
By the 1980s, the school needed room to grow. When the College Preparatory School (now Mason Preparatory School) campus on Archdale Street became available in 1986, the Board of Trustees voted to purchase the property. Ten years later, the administrative building at 9 Archdale Street was converted into a Middle School facility for seventh and eighth graders. Additional renovations to the main classroom building expanded the library and created dedicated math, computer and French classrooms. The purchase of the two houses south of the campus provided additional administrative space as well as a campus residence for a Facilities Director. The completion of the Kenan Music and Arts Center in 2001 and the creation of a new playground in 2004 have further enhanced the campus.
In July 2004, the school welcomed a new Head of School, Brendan J. O’Shea. In August 2011, after a $4 million capital campaign, the school opened the Student Academic Center, the first major capital improvement project in decades. The facility is a 12,500 square foot science, technology, media, and classroom space for the growing student body. The Benjamin Allston Moore, Jr. House was also renovated. In 2014, it was transformed into the Moore Learning Center the educational space is completely devoted to 21st century learning strategies: creativity, collaboration, innovation, communication. In 2015, the school renovated 7 Archdale Street which serves as a welcoming center and houses a portion of the school’s administration.
Heads of school
- Mary Stuart & Emily Tenney (1937–1971)
- Wallace Frampton (1971-1974)
- Edgar "Ned" S. Jaycocks (1974-1997)
- Gregory J. O'Melia (1997-2001)
- Linda C. Perry (2001-2003)
- Andrew J. Beck (2003-2004) (Interim)
- Brendan J. O'Shea (2004-2017)
- Tom Reid (2017-2018) (Interim)
- Judith Arnstein (2018-present)
Athletics
Charleston Day School participates in many sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, tennis, sailing, and lacrosse. Rivalries exist with the elementary and middle schools at Porter-Gaud School and Ashley Hall. They compete under the nickname Scorpions and take pride in their sportsmanship as well as success. The school is also heavily associated with local charities and events, such as the now ended Run for Adela.