Meeting Street @ Burns opens to students this school year
August 7, 2019
Meeting Street @ Burns, a free Charleston County School District (CCSD) public school for families living in the Dorchester–Waylan communiuty, will open its doors to students for the 2019–2020 academic school year.
The project was funded by a “Yes” vote of the Charleston Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax Referendum of 2014.
According to Edmund A. Burns Principal Marvin Taylor, the new building allows the students to “return” home.
“Our school is unique because of the community and family feel,” said Taylor. “We truly are a family, and you can feel that when you walk in the building. Our community thrives through everything from the school’s chess program, community partnerships, and parent participation.”
The new, state-of-the-art building is a two-story 72,000 square foot facility that sits on the original 11-acre site and is designed to seat 500 students in grades K-5.
“We are honored and thrilled to join Burns Elementary in opening the doors of this beautiful new building to the children and families of the Waylyn Dorchester Neighborhood,” said Chad Weiden, Founding Principal Meeting Street Elementary @ Burns. “Our vision for the school remains the same: All of our students will graduate from college and actively continue to grow their hearts and brains to change their community and the world. We are excited to see all of our students on August 21, 2019, for the first day of school.”
The Capital Programs team worked in tandem with local and state agencies to open the school on time and within the approved budget of $28.3 million.
“Thanks to the Charleston County residents, students will enjoy a new facility of learning to include new play areas, general classrooms, a multipurpose space for large assemblies, and a state of the art kitchen”, said Reggie McNeil, the Executive Director of Capital Programs at CCSD.
“It has been a race this summer to get all of the new school buildings online before the students returning for the new school year, which was strategically managed by Cumming (the District’s Construction Management Firm), said McNeil. “The internal and external partnerships between the design team, general contractors, sub-contractors, CCSD staff, and others was the key to a successful project.”
The construction management team was Cumming. The architect was BRPH Architecture, and the general contractor was McKnight Construction.
For more information, contact the Office of Strategy and Communications at (843) 937-6303.
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 87 schools and specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees district-wide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region.
CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.
