We are pleased to announce that Berkeley County School District will resume its District Ambassadors Academy. Launched in 2017, this initiative is designed to provide an insider’s perspective of how the district operates and many of the necessary variables that impact decision-making in providing the world-class education our students deserve and our parents expect.

More importantly, it provides participants a firsthand opportunity to hear directly from district leadership, ask questions, and share their thoughts on how to best move the school system forward. With the aggressive student growth projections over the next two decades, there has never been a more exciting time to participate in discussions and planning opportunities these two-way conversations offer!

It is an ambitious project to be sure; however, these are OUR schools! As the familiar saying goes, “Decisions are made by those who show up.” Think of this as an opportunity to better understand the successes and challenges that guide decision-making in Berkeley County Schools.

Please review the program details below. Deadline for completed applications is Friday, May 17, 2024. Selected applicants will be notified by May 29, 2024.

Thank you for your consideration!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should participate in the District Ambassadors Academy?

Resident, Berkeley County business and community leaders with a vested interest in the success of our public schools are strongly encouraged to apply!

What does the meeting schedule look like?

There will be a total of four (4) meetings for the District Ambassadors class. Candidates should carefully consider their availability on these dates before applying.

All meetings will begin at 6 p.m., on the following dates: 

• June 27: Berkeley Education Center; 107 E Main Street, Moncks Corner, SC 

• Aug 8: Carolyn Lewis School; (K-8); 380 Coleridge Drive, Summerville, SC 

• Sept 19:  Hanahan High School; 6015 Murray Dr, Hanahan, SC 

• Oct 17: Foxbank Elementary; 169 Foxbank Plantation Blvd, Moncks Corner, SC

What does the selection process look like?

Our goal is to maintain a relatively manageable number of participants (approximately 15-20), which allows for active, productive engagement and plenty of time to delve deeper into our topics. Our objective is to have a diverse group of participants from every county high school zone.

To this end, we are requesting our Board members, employees, community leaders, and parents to nominate Berkeley County citizens who have a genuine desire to learn more about our public schools and a passion to help them succeed.

If you would like to nominate someone for consideration, please send your nomination, including contact information, to officeofcommunications@bcsdschools.net by May 17, 2024 so that we can contact the individual and have them complete an application. 

What will the District Ambassadors Academy look like?

We will respect your time by intentionally designing these sessions to be a highly interactive, enriching, and engaging experience for everyone! There will be four consecutive monthly sessions beginning on June 27, 2024 with a ceremony at the conclusion of the program. Each 1.5 to 2 hour session begins with a casual dinner and conversation among participants and district leadership before getting down to business. We want everyone to get to know each other and build camaraderie as we collectively work together to benefit our amazing students and staff.

The main topics of the four sessions are:

• Money Matters: Making Sense of School Finance

• Swift Growth: Building and Maintaining While Managing Increasing Enrollment

• Human Capital: Recruiting and Retaining the Best Talent in BCSD

• Student-Centered Education: Maximizing the Educational Experience for all Students

Each of the four sessions will begin with a prepared presentation on the evening’s topic, but the structure is flexible enough to allow for participant questions and other considerations. Remember, this is purposely designed to be a two-way conversation! 

Participants must have “perfect attendance” and take part in each of the four sessions in order to qualify for recognition as a District Ambassador.

How much will this cost?

There is no charge to participate in the District Ambassadors Academy.

Who should I call with questions?

Please contact Katie Orvin Tanner, BCSD Chief Communications Officer, at 843-899-8611 or tannerk@bcsdschools.net, and she will gladly assist!