Summary:
Zip code 29492, encompassing the Charleston/Wando area, is served by four schools within the Berkeley 01 school district, offering a complete educational pathway from elementary through high school for approximately 2,956 students.
This zip code presents a clear two-tier academic landscape. Daniel Island School is the standout performer, earning 5-star ratings for three consecutive years and ranking in the top 2% of elementary schools statewide (98th percentile). Its proficiency rates consistently exceed state averages by 20-40 percentage points across all subjects. The three Philip Simmons Elementary, Philip Simmons Middle, and Philip Simmons High schools all perform above state averages, earning 4-star ratings, but cluster in the 73rd to 83rd percentile range. Philip Simmons High is a rising star, improving to the 82nd percentile with a strong 91.4% graduation rate and notably low 0.4% dropout rate, while excelling in English 2 and U.S. History. Philip Simmons Middle is the weakest link, though it showed the most year-over-year improvement, particularly in math.
The most significant concern across the area is a math proficiency cliff as students advance. While Daniel Island School 8th graders achieve 77.2% math proficiency, Philip Simmons High Algebra 1 scores drop to 57.2%, below the state average. Chronic absenteeism also varies dramatically, from an excellent 6.9% at Daniel Island School to 21.1% at Philip Simmons High, correlating with academic outcomes. Notably, Daniel Island School achieves its elite results with the lowest per-student spending ($12,857), suggesting its success stems from factors beyond funding. Overall, families in 29492 have access to high-quality schools, with Daniel Island School being the clear academic powerhouse and the Philip Simmons schools offering solid, above-average options with room for growth in math and attendance.
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