Story by Jen Jordan / May 31, 2016
A question for those who are protesting plans for Burns public elementary school to be operated by a private company: How many classes of children should come up through the school’s failing system before the district makes some big changes?
Another question: Don’t those children deserve to try an educational approach that has proven to be far more successful?
The Charleston County School Board’s decision to form a partnership with Meeting Street Schools for Burns, similar to the one at Brentwood, is not, as some are suggesting, a conspiracy. Unless trying to replicate an extraordinarily successful program is a conspiracy.
Shy of things going terribly wrong, students in the Burns attendance zone will relocate temporarily and end up in a brand new school building with teachers who have the resources and experience to guide under-resourced children to academic success.
In columns on our Commentary page and at a meeting of the NAACP Charleston branch Thursday night, educators have expressed concern about the privatization of schools. Millicent Brown, co-founder of the Quality Education Project, worries that the school would not be accountable to the district, although it would have a board of trustees comprised of representatives of both Meeting Street Schools and CCSD — one of them Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait.
In contrast, Dot Scott, president of the NAACP’s Charleston chapter, defended the plan for Burns.
This is how it works: For two years, while CCSD rebuilds Burns, current students will attend classes at Ron McNair Elementary School. The youngest students entering school for the first time will attend classes at Meeting Street@Brentwood, which is finishing its second year.
Brentwood, with extra resources provided by Meeting Street Schools and CCSD and with the authority to hire and fire independent of the Charleston County School Board, has won wide praise for its early progress. Its students, who begin school at age three, have tested remarkably better than students in similar neighborhoods even though their scores were about the same to start with.
Dr. Postlewait has said the school could be a model for other struggling district schools.
Indeed, it is modeled after much acclaimed Meeting Street Academy, a private school for students who would otherwise attend failing public schools.
But while MSA is supported by philanthropist Ben Navarro and has a screening process for students, Brentwood is open to any students who live in its attendance zone, and it is still successful. Why shouldn’t it be the same for Burns students?
Critics often mention that teachers and staff at Burns have worked hard on behalf of their students. That’s admirable. But they are working hard in a system that hasn’t helped narrow the achievement gap between minority students and their white counterparts.
At the NAACP meeting, people were encouraged to complain about CCSD to the U.S. Department of Education and the Office for Civil Rights about racial disparities in such things as school disciplinary actions and performance on Advanced Placement tests.
They might want to refrain from complaining about Brentwood and Burns. Both are primarily black. Students at Brentwood are narrowing that achievement gap, and Burns students are expected to do the same. Yes, some of Burns’ faculty will have to relocate to different schools, but Burns students are being given a rare opportunity.
Change is difficult, but change is what parents, school advocates and civil rights leaders are calling for.
Forming a public/private partnership with Burns Elementary isn’t the change they were expecting, but it’s a change they should give a fair shake.
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
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