Orange Grove Charter School

This school is abosolutely outstanding. The teachers go above and beyond to help each child achieve their best. My daughter is in 1st grade and she is reading at a 4th grade level. I could't ask for a better school.
--Submitted by a parent

Orange Grove has high expectations. It expects its students to be hardworking, courteous, and responsible. It expects its parents to be supportive and responsible, to get children to school on time, to check over homework, and to participate in school activities such as PTO and parent teacher conferences. It expects its teachers to go above and beyond - whether it is stretching learning goals beyond the standards or caring about the whole child. We moved to our neighborhood so that our children could attend Orange Grove when it was a neighborhood school. We never regretted it.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is highly gifted and loves her teacher and how well she pushes her. She comes home having learned new and exciting things everyday. She gets so many opportunities to do wonderful things here. Orange Grove is AMAZING!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I would like to reassure parents that your gifted (highly or otherwise) student will absolutely get served at Orange Grove. The GT teacher has a full computer lab in her room, consisting of laptops for each student as well as several ipads. The curriculum is designed by the teacher and students are challenged on a daily basis. Project based learning is a key component of the program. There is no other GT program in CCSD that can match it. The technology simply isn't there for them to do so. We currently have students working on tenth and eleventh grade level standards because of their giftedness. The teacher also works with the GT students closely to ensure that the students are well-rounded and not simply focused on academic success. My best advice would be to speak with parents who have students in the program. Often, forums like these are for disgruntled people to "vent" their frustrations to the world" and an accurate representation is not given. I would like to invite anyone who has doubts about Orange Grove to please come and visit. Ten minutes in our school will give you a clear idea of what we are about.
--Submitted by a teacher

I would encourage all parents, current and prospective, to come in and see for themselves all that Orange Grove has to offer. The level of individualized instruction that we offer is something we are all proud to be a part of. As stated in an earlier post, you can't base your decisions on other individual's opinions. Please come in and form an opinion for yourself. Don't just ask the teachers and staff, talk with the kids and get their opinions as well. - Steve Schonveld, teacher.
--Submitted by a teacher

I have been a teacher and parent at OGECS for 6 years. I could not ask for better collegues to work with as well as to teach both my children. There is a love for each child that permeates through the entire school (very family oriented). As a parent, both of my children have been challenged (something I miss in middle school).

This school was a disaster for my highly gifted child. We had to move him to a private school mid year to get him out of the stifling environment. He was identified highly gifted and this school would not make accommodations for him. Instead they wanted him to wait for years while the other children his age caught up to him, and give him counseling on how to deal with the frustration of waiting. This school has plenty or resources and is good for a lot of children, but it was a horror show for my child that caused our family a great deal of pain. If you have an average or below average child, this school will serve his or her needs. Otherwise, get ready for a bad experience.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended second grade and she had a horrible time. The principal and staff only care about the grades, not the child's well-being. Also, they do not treat minority students fairly.
--Submitted by a parent

OGECS is an extended family of mine. I love my job and the ability to teach children every day.
--Submitted by a teacher

The school is now in a brand-new facility in the West Ashley area. The principal, who has been there several years, seems to have a real interest in the children, as do the teachers, many of whom have also been there for years.
--Submitted by a parent