The mission of James Island Charter High School (JICHS) is to develop confident, responsible, lifelong and college-career ready learners who can excel in society by means of an innovative and diverse curriculum in a safe and enriching environment supported by all stakeholders. We firmly believe that all students can learn, that a safe environment will promote positive educational experiences, that challenging expectations increase individual student performance, and that teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community share the responsibility for advancing the school’s mission. Our philosophy is based on the fundamental belief that the school provides an environment for the intellectual, social, and physical development of our students.
James Island Charter High School is beginning its seventeenth year of operation as a charter school. Our charter status allows us to expand our curriculum and staffing to become a truly comprehensive high school. Our Program of Studies has been created with our motto of “Achievement for All” in mind, and is designed to provide all students with a wide variety of challenging courses in all curricular areas, including International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Honors, College Preparatory, Dual-Credit, Career and Technical, Teacher Cadet, and Applied Technology courses. Our Freshman Academy concept focuses on a successful transition from middle to high school starting with our “Trojan Transition Summer Camp” in the summer preceding high school. During the 2018-2019 school year, our extra-curricular programs and activities, both academic and athletic, earned numerous state awards and recognitions. Additionally, James Island Charter High School is the only high school in the Charleston County School District authorized to offer IB diploma courses and to present candidates for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
In recent years, we have completed a $25 million construction project, which included a new media center, performing arts auditorium with support classrooms, and multiple athletic fields and structures, with a $22 million follow-up expansion to our Career and Technology Education facilities and a competition gymnasium to be completed by 2022. Students at JICHS will have the most up-to-date education and information technology available at their fingertips. These multi-faceted investments will ensure that our students remain actively engaged and continue to receive top-notch learning experiences and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.
JICHS is a community within itself that offers personal growth opportunities for students, faculty, and community members alike. JICHS values diversity, and our goal is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen. Our highly-qualified and diverse faculty and staff recognize the wide range of student interests, abilities, and aptitudes and provide meaningful educational experiences for all students. We look forward to our close working relationship and continued support with the James Island community we graciously serve.
JICHS is a fully-accredited school through AdvancED Accreditation and the South Carolina State Department of Education.
Timothy Thorn, Principal
Abby Wilkins, Chairman, JICHS Board of Directors
