Japan
The Charleston region features a subtropical climate with mild winters and warm, sunny summers. Charleston averages 230 days of sunshine each year and above average rainfall for the nation. This supports the lush green landscape and beautiful gardens common to this area.
Respectful Culture in the Charleston Region
Charlestonians value respectful polite behavior. For example, children are taught to use “sir and ma’am” when speaking to adults and teachers. An important aspect of “Southern hospitality” is showing kindness to others. Many visitors and new residents comment that they appreciate the respect given to older adults and the tradition of friendliness to visitors that is common in the South and particularly true of the Charleston region.
Businesses Choose Charleston
See the many reasons that Charleston is ideally situated for our your business.
From our direct port access to logistics and technology expertise, the Charleston area is ready for your business.
Schools
The Charleston region hosts private and public schools that are among the best in the state and nation.
Asian Grocery Markets
Charleston offers a vibrant Asian grocery stores with diverse shopping options, catering to a wide range of authentic Asian ingredients and international products.
Japanese Restaurants
Charleston is a town for foodies, so it is no surprise that there are dozens of highly-rated Japanese restaurants.
Golf
“Regularly voted the number one city to visit in America, Charleston is full of history, culture, excellent restaurants and nightlife. Add great golf courses to that recipe for a perfect golf vacation… With notable designs from Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio and Rees Jones all just outside of downtown, it should come as little surprise that Charleston is one of the most popular areas of America for a golf trip.” Ryan Del Vecchio
State-wide Japanese Resources
Japanese resources available
South Carolina Resources Listed by the Japanese Consulate.
Phipps Tower, Suite 850
3438 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
Telephone: (404) 240-4300
The BSC was the first bonsai club to be established in the Carolinas and since 1964 has been teaching, promoting and practicing the art of bonsai for almost half a century.
For many years this inter-generational temple, Hei-Sei-Ji, was standing in Nagoya, Japan. In 2004, it was dismantled into more than 2,400 pieces. Transported through the Panama Canal to Furman University, it was reconstructed by Japanese craftsmen in 2008.
Japanese language supplementary school for children of Japanese expatriates.
Japan America Association of South Carolina (Greenville): JAASC was created in 1988 due to the increasing number of Japanese-owned businesses establishing operations in South Carolina. Its mission is to promote a greater interest in and understanding of the culture and society of Japan and the United States through the operation of Japanese Saturday Schools and through meaningful social and cultural events. It currently has 20 member companies.
Japanese language supplementary school for children of Japanese expatriates.
Religious Communities
Charleston embraces religious diversity, as seen in the presence of various communities like the Charleston Buddhist Fellowship, reflecting the city’s respect for all faiths.
| Name | Address | City | Zip | Phone | Grade Span | Country | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Faith Christian School |
337 Farmington Road |
Summerville |
29486 |
843-873-8464 |
K3-12 |
Berkeley County |
Berkeley |
|
St. John’s Christian Academy |
204 West Main Street |
Moncks Corner |
29461 |
843-761-8539 |
K3-12 |
Berkeley County |
Berkeley |
|
St. Timothy’s Children Center |
200 South Goose Creek Blvd. |
Goose Creek |
29445 |
843-553-7175 |
K5 |
Berkeley County |
Berkeley |
|
Addlestone Hebrew Academy
|
Charleston
|
29407
|
843-571-1105
|
12 mo – 8th grade
|
12 mo – 8th grade
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Adventist Christian Academy of Charleston
|
2518 Savannah Hwy.
|
Charleston
|
29414
|
843-571-7519
|
1-8
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Ashley Hall
|
172 Rutledge Avenue
|
Charleston
|
29403
|
843-722-4088
|
age 2 – 12th grade
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Charles Towne Montessori
|
56 Leinbach Drive
|
Charleston
|
29407
|
843-571-1140
|
15 mo – 12 years
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Coastal Christian Preparatory School
|
681 McCants Drive
|
Mt. Pleasant
|
29464
|
843-884-3663
|
K-8
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston |
|
First Baptist School of Charleston
|
48 Meeting Street
|
Charleston
|
29401
|
843-722-6646
|
K2-12
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Harvest Time International Academy
|
227 Huger Street
|
Charleston
|
29403
|
843-647-5911
|
K-12
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
James Island Christian School
|
15 Crosscreek Drive
|
Charleston
|
29412
|
843-795-1762
|
K-8
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Little School at Grace Church
|
98 Wentworth Street
|
Charleston
|
29401
|
843-345-0907
|
K5
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Northside Christian School
|
7800 Northside Drive
|
N. Charleston
|
29420
|
843-797-2690
|
K5-12
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Owens Christian Academy
|
3377 Ridgeway Street
|
N. Charleston
|
29405
|
843-744-5087
|
K-1st
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Palmetto Christian Academy
|
361 Egypt Road
|
Mt. Pleasant
|
29466
|
843-881-9967
|
K-12
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Porter-Gaud School
|
300 Albemarle Road
|
Charleston
|
29407
|
843-402-4773
|
1-12
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Sundrops Montessori School
|
955 Houston Northcutt Blvd
|
Mt. Pleasant
|
29464
|
843-849-3652
|
K5-9
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
The Academy of El-Shaddai: Primary
|
4708 Durant Avenue
|
N. Charleston
|
29405
|
843-225-2337
|
1st
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
The Cooper School
|
13 Oakdale Place
|
Charleston
|
29407
|
843-573-1033
|
K-8
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
The O’Quinn School of Porter-Gaud
|
1567 Harbor View Road
|
Charleston
|
29412
|
843-795-6708
|
K5
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
The O’Quinn School of Porter-Gaud
|
761 South Shelmore Blvd.
|
Mt. Pleasant
|
29464
|
843-881-8506
|
2’s – K5
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Trident Academy
|
1455 Wakendaw Road
|
Mt. Pleasant
|
29464
|
843-884-7046
|
K-12
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston
|
|
Trinity Montessori Christian School
|
1293 Orange Grove Road
|
Charleston
|
29407
|
843-556-6686
|
Infant – 6th grade
|
Charleston County
|
Charleston |
|
Bethany Child Development Center |
118 W. Third South Street |
Summerville |
29483 |
843-821-1946 |
2 yo – K5 |
Dorchester County |
Dorchester 02 |
|
Charis Academy |
301 E. Richardson Avenue |
Summerville |
29483 |
843-252-0432 |
6-12 |
Dorchester County |
Dorchester 02 |
|
Pinewood Preparatory School |
1114 Orangeburg Road |
Summerville |
29483 |
843-873-1643 |
PreK3-12 |
Dorchester County |
Dorchester 02 |
|
Trinity Classical Academy |
111 Waring Street |
Summerville |
29483 |
843-327-7444 |
K-8 |
Dorchester County |
Dorchester 02 |
|
Dorchester Academy Inc. |
234 Academy Road |
St. George |
29477 |
843-563-9511 |
K12 |
Dorchester County |
Dorchester 04 |
School Report Cards
They also publish yearly School and District Report Cards. “Not to be confused with student report cards, these Report Cards provide information about each school and district, including test performance, teacher qualifications, student safety, awards, parent involvement and much more.”
School Attendance Zones
Public schools have attendance zones, or school attendance boundaries. “School district administrators create attendance areas to help organize and plan district-wide services, and districts may adjust individual school boundaries to help balance the capacity of local schools with changes in the local school-age population.” National Center for Education Statistics
Many new home buyers consult school attendance zone maps and school report cards before they choose a home.
Berkeley Country School District:
Charleston County School District:
Dorchester School District Two:
Learn More and by Subdivision
Dorchester School District Four:
Family Resources
The district websites are rich sources of information for new families. They include important topics like student registration, the academic calendar, the bell schedule, and multilingual student support. Each website has special pages for family resources:
Transportation - School Buses
The school district websites also explain the free school bus transportation that is available for your neighborhood. That includes the bus stops in your neighborhood. Parents are not required to use school buses for their children, they are not mandatory, but they are a free service that students are provided regardless of citizenship or visa status. They are available to all children in South Carolina who live more than 1.5 miles from school per South Carolina Title 59 – Education, Chapter 67, Transportation of Pupils; School Buses, Article 3.
Private Schools
Private schools are also listed on the SCDE website:
From this page, click “Directory Exports” for the spreadsheet titled, “Private Schools Listing.” Private schools in the Charleston-metro area are listed below. Unlike public schools, students must apply to be accepted into private schools. They charge tuition fees, often have a dress code that includes required uniforms, and transportation is usually provided by parents or guardians. The Charleston-metro area has several excellent private schools from which to choose. Some are single-gender only, refer to their websites for additional eligibility and admission information.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools funded by taxpayers so usually do not have tuition fees. They are sometimes known for special academic emphases. They are also listed by the SCDE website by district under the heading, “Charter.” In the Charleston-metro area, currently only the Charleston County School District offers charter school options. They are:
International Baccalaureate® Programs
“The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.”
The Charleston-metro area has three IB schools, one for each level. Please see the list below. Families sometimes choose the IB diploma because it is accepted in other countries as a university entrance qualification when school-issued diplomas are not. In Germany, for example, an IB diploma is accepted as a qualification to begin study at a German university, thus avoiding additional preparatory courses at Studienkollegs or Arbitur examinations that are required for students who apply from the United States.
Three IB Schools
Memminger Elementary School
(Primary Years Programme)
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies
(Middle Years Programme)
James Island Charter High School
(Diploma Programme)
