Several months ago, during her commute to work, Wilson Hill co-founder and former teacher, Dr. Marie Owens noticed many children loitering outside because they were skipping classes. When she began researching her city’s public schools, she was shocked to discover the rates at which these schools were failing their students. In 2017, 80% of African American public school students tested lower than their grade level in math; 66% tested lower than their grade level in English.
Having experienced the blessings that a classical Christian education brought to her own family, Marie is now aspiring to pass along the same blessings to the children in her city. She is working diligently to launch Charleston Classical School next fall.
A haven for students
When it opens, CCS will provide students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds a safe, nurturing, and Christ-centered education. Here, they will be inspired to love God, love their neighbor and love learning. The school will operate on a sliding-scale tuition basis to improve affordability. CCS will also offer holistic support to parents by providing training and counseling in partnership with local churches.
This school will provide a haven for these students, many of whom will come from African American communities marked by generational poverty and broken relationships. The education they receive will set them on a new trajectory towards a promising future.
Three ways to partner with CCS
But Marie and her team can’t achieve this alone. They are working diligently to raise the $400,000 needed to open their doors to 40 students next September. Because South Carolina is not a “school-choice” state and CCS cannot expect any state funding. They are relying almost entirely on private donations and grants to accomplish their goal.
Beginning this Giving Tuesday, we’re inviting you to join us in supporting Charleston Classical School. An education like this has the potential to transform these students’ lives and the lives of those they touch. You can support them by making a direct contribution or monthly pledge. We also invite you to consider selecting CCS as your charity of choice when shopping on Amazon (smile.amazon.com) or by asking your employer about matching donations.