At Charleston Development Academy Public Charter School (CDA), we are dedicated to helping all students develop the World Class Skills outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Our educational approach emphasizes the four Cs: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Recognizing the importance of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) for 21st-century learners, CDA consistently integrates cutting-edge research, resources, and methods to engage students and ignite their passion for these fields.

 Our interdisciplinary lessons and classes provide students with real-world applications of science, art, and math. Through the Project Lead the Way program, our scholars are empowered to develop and apply in-demand, transferable skills by tackling real-world challenges in exciting and engaging ways.

 Using a master instructional model, CDA employs project-based learning, encouraging students to work individually and collaboratively to solve real-world problems. Our lessons inspire students to think flexibly and creatively, fostering their ability to craft experiments and develop innovative solutions. Students engage in the engineering and scientific processes, from developing prototypes to presenting their findings. CDA is committed to creating authentic learning experiences that cultivate teamwork, creativity, communication, and critical thinking—skills essential for success in the 21st century.

 At CDA, we strive to equip our scholars with the knowledge, attributes, and skills needed to excel beyond their peers as they transition to high school. Our advanced study program introduces middle school students to high school-level courses early on, ensuring that by the end of their final year, they have completed two or more high school credit courses.

 To ensure all students achieve grade-level reading proficiency, CDA provides extensive instructional support and interventions during the school day and in our extended day program. We utilize several web-based programs to identify learning gaps and meet each scholar at their instructional level, strategically guiding them toward literacy success.

 We remain “An Intellect Construction Enterprise; Developing Minds, Building Character, Engineering Futures.” At CDA, excellence is not just an expectation—it is our standard.

Dr. Shawn Johnson, School Director

Sherlonda Williams, SIC President