The Peninsula Promise plan as outlined by CCSD recognizes that peninsula kids deserve high quality education from universal pre-K through a well-rounded middle school and high school experience.  The Peninsula Promise plan creates a thoughtful, unified approach to educating our students in environments (and through all ages) where all our Peninsula kids can thrive academically, socially, and creatively.   Diversity, collaboration, and inclusion have been a hallmark of the Peninsula Promise meetings and plan, which will optimize opportunities for our kids to be raised as collaborators who are competitive, well-rounded, and with a shared sense of both community and respect for one another –  no matter your track, socio-economic status, race, circumstance, or background.  

Through partnership and innovation, the Peninsula Promise plan gives access to enhanced cultural, academic, and athletic excellence and clear pathways to college and other career opportunities.  We support full implementation of the Peninsula Promise, strengthening the entire educational experience for Peninsula students from early childhood through high school. Our support includes but not limited to:

• We support Universal Pre-K access for all Peninsula children, ensuring strong early learning foundations for every child in our community.

• We support a unified Peninsula school model where arts, academics, and athletics meet in community in an environment that reflects the full fabric of Charleston and provides clear, attainable career pathways for all students.

• We support relocating Simmons-Pinckney Middle School to the Mitchell campus to create a sustainable, fully resourced middle school with stronger enrollment, staffing, and expanded programming.  A consolidated, well-supported middle school that is proximate to our high school campus – making way for the inclusion of the Linard McCloud Cultural Arts Collective and the American College of the Building Arts on campus at Burke –  allows the district to offer more robust programming, stronger intervention during critical middle school years, and a clearer pathway into the offerings at our high school up the street.)  

• We support Arts for All through the creation of the Linard McCloud Cultural Arts Collective launching in August 2026, an arts-infused extension of Simmons-Pinckney Middle (rehoused at Mitchell) and Burke High School.

• We support the American College of the Building Arts collaboration to be housed at Burke High School in the space currently used by Simmons-Pinckney Middle, expanding career and hands-on learning pathways for students.

• We support the Scholars Academy partnership with the College of Charleston, bringing to Burke High School what West Ashley students currently enjoy with 30 seats per class and expanded access to Advanced Placement and dual credit coursework, with the potential for students to enter college up to two years ahead.

• We support consolidating resources to expand electives, advanced academics, arts, athletics, and consistent intervention opportunities for all peninsula students (that smaller, under-enrolled campuses cannot sustainably provide).

• We believe Peninsula families should be able to confidently choose strong neighborhood public schools without needing to relocate or seek private alternatives to have all the offerings that every student – no matter their circumstance –  should enjoy.

• We applaud the process and effort of the team at CCSD. We urge the Board of Trustees to meet this pivotal and historic moment with the same ambition and vision put forward by Superintendent Huggins. Strong outcomes for all Peninsula students begins with your support of Peninsula Promise.