Mount Pleasant
If you're a mom looking for top-rated schools and family-friendly everything, Mount Pleasant is kind of the dream. It’s where I grew up, work, and spend way too much time at playgrounds and coffee shops — so you’re getting the inside scoop.
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
Old Village, I’On, Carolina Park, Hamlin Plantation, Belle Hall, Rivertowne
🏫 Standout Schools:
Elementary:
Mount Pleasant Academy - Consistently top-ranked with a small community feel
Jennie Moore Elementary - Creative Arts magnet with a lot of heart
Laurel Hill Primary - Great early childhood environment
Middle:
Moultrie Middle - Strong academics and school spirit
Laing Middle - STEM-focused magnet option
High:
Lucy Beckham High - Newer, tech-forward, and already building a great reputation
Wando High - Large, established, with tons of programs for every interest
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Most of Mount Pleasant’s public schools score 8–10/10 — especially in elementary. Families love the well-rounded academics, caring teachers, and parent involvement.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
Vintage Coffee Café — you’ll find strollers parked outside all day
Alhambra Hall & Playground — gorgeous views and a peaceful vibe
Mount Pleasant Library — great kids’ programs and lots of seating
📦 Real Estate Overview:
You’ll mostly find single-family homes with sidewalks and spacious yards.
Prices range: ~$500K in older neighborhoods to $1M+ in places like I’On or near the water
Newer communities like Carolina Park have playgrounds, pools, and community events
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
Mount Pleasant is perfect if you want great schools and a sense of community. It’s close to downtown and the beach, has everything from Target to tiny boutiques, and feels safe, clean, and very “mom-friendly.”
Daniel Island
Daniel Island is like a perfectly planned little bubble — in the best way. It’s clean, quiet, and packed with charm. Families love the walkability, golf carts at school drop-off, and the way everything feels just a bit slower (in a good way). I can confirm because we’ve lived on Island for about 6 years now!
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
Central Daniel Island, Smythe Park, Etiwan Park, and Daniel Island Park (if you’re eyeing the golf course lifestyle).
🏫 Standout Schools:
Elementary and Middle (combined):
Daniel Island School (K–8) – A true community hub with strong test scores, active PTO, and a safe, nurturing vibe
High:
Philip Simmons High School – Just off the island and still developing its reputation, but offers strong programs and new facilities
Bishop England High School – A private Catholic high school with academic rigor and a beautiful campus (if you’re exploring private options)
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Daniel Island School consistently scores 8–9/10, with high parent satisfaction and strong reading/math scores. Bishop England also receives strong marks from local families.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
The Dime — family-friendly coffee shop with snacks + space for kids
Smythe Park — the lake, playground, and green space combo is a favorite
Daniel Island Library — small but mighty, with cozy kids’ programs and story times
📦 Real Estate Overview:
Mostly newer single-family homes, townhomes, and upscale properties — all walkable to parks and trails.
Prices range: ~$750K for townhomes to $2M+ in Daniel Island Park
Many homes are golf-cart friendly with porches made for lemonade and evening chats
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
The island vibe is real — think community events, safe streets, and everyone knowing your kid’s name. Bonus: the proximity to both Mount Pleasant and Downtown Charleston makes it a hidden gem for convenience.
West Ashley
West Ashley is one of those places that sneaks up on you — it’s big, a little quirky, and full of character. It’s a favorite for families who want more space, good schools, and easy access to both downtown and nature without the Mt. Pleasant price tag.
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
Avondale (hip and historic), Byrnes Downs, Shadowmoss, Hunt Club, and Carolina Bay (tons of young families and community events).
🏫 Standout Schools:
Elementary:
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary – Magnet program with a focus on music, art, and performance
Drayton Hall Elementary – Diverse, welcoming, and growing in ratings
Stono Park Elementary – Rebuilt and upgraded, with strong community ties
Middle:
C.E. Williams Middle School (North + South campuses) – Solid academics, two locations split by grade levels
High:
West Ashley High School – Offers AP and career-focused tracks, and tons of extracurriculars
Porter-Gaud School – Private K–12 option known for academics, athletics, and beautiful riverfront campus
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Ashley River Creative Arts is a local favorite and scores 9/10+. Other public options are improving steadily, and Porter-Gaud ranks among the top private schools in the state.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters — cozy, fun, and stroller-friendly
Bees Landing Recreation Center — great playgrounds + splash pad
West Ashley Public Library — always buzzing with family programming
📦 Real Estate Overview:
Mix of classic brick ranches, updated mid-century homes, and newer builds in master-planned communities.
Prices range: ~$350K for older homes to $700K+ in newer neighborhoods like Carolina Bay
Lots of green space, backyards, and less congestion
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
West Ashley gives you breathing room. There’s a slower pace, more yard space for the kids, and you can hop on the Greenway trail or be downtown in 15 minutes. Plus, the mix of old and new means you can find something that feels like home.
Johns Island
If you’re dreaming of more land, big trees, and a bit of that Lowcountry magic, Johns Island might be calling your name. It’s growing fast but still feels tucked away — kind of like Charleston’s backyard, where you can still find chickens and marsh views on the same street.
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
Whitney Lake (family-friendly and walkable), Stonoview (waterfront vibes), The Villages in St. Johns Woods, Grimball Gates, and newer communities off Maybank Hwy.
🏫 Standout Schools:
Elementary:
Angel Oak Elementary – Community-focused with growing programs and support
Mt. Zion Elementary – Small and rural, but deeply rooted in the island’s community
Middle:
Haut Gap Middle School – Partial magnet school with leadership and career-focused programs
High:
St. John’s High School – Small student body, improving academics and access to tech
Charleston Collegiate School – A private, project-based Pre-K–12 school known for its creative approach and nature-based learning
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Public schools on the island are improving, and options like Charleston Collegiate and Haut Gap’s magnet track offer great alternatives. Parents love the smaller class sizes and creative learning models.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
Island Provisions — grab a latte and let the kids play on the back patio
Johns Island County Park — open fields, trails, and a climbing playground
Johns Island Library — sunny, spacious, and a hidden gem for kids’ story times
📦 Real Estate Overview:
You’ll find everything from new construction to charming farmhouses on acreage.
Prices range: ~$400K–$900K+ depending on location, size, and land
Great for families looking for room to grow or who want more privacy without leaving Charleston
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
Johns Island feels peaceful. It’s where you can grow a garden, watch the sunset over the marsh, and still be 20 minutes from downtown. It’s especially popular with families who want space, a slower pace, and a little more nature in their day-to-day life.
Downtown Charleston
Living downtown is like stepping into a postcard — cobblestone streets, historic homes, and the smell of pluff mud in the air (you get used to it, I promise). It’s walkable, full of charm, and closer to some of Charleston’s top private and magnet schools. It’s not for everyone — but if it is for you, it’s magic.
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
South of Broad (historic + luxurious), Harleston Village, Wagener Terrace, Radcliffeborough, and Cannonborough-Elliotborough (trendy + walkable).
🏫 Standout Schools:
Elementary:
Memminger Elementary (Montessori) – Public Montessori magnet with a diverse, creative environment
Mitchell Elementary – Small school with a tight-knit feel in the upper peninsula
Charleston Day School – Private K–8 known for strong academics and tradition
Middle:
Simmons-Pinckney Middle – Zoned option, smaller and community-centered
Buist Academy (K–8) – Top-ranked academic magnet that’s extremely competitive to get into
High:
Burke High School – Zoned school with specialized tracks and strong extracurriculars
Charleston Charter for Math & Science – Innovative public charter option
Porter-Gaud (Private K–12) – A bit off the peninsula, but popular with downtown families
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Downtown schools are a mix — Buist Academy and Charleston Day score 9–10/10. Magnet and charter options draw families from across the city.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
The Harbinger Café — delicious, stroller-friendly, and IG-worthy
Hazel Parker Playground — a shaded gem tucked into the South of Broad area
Charleston County Public Library (Main Branch) — stunning children’s section + regular storytimes
📦 Real Estate Overview:
Mostly historic homes, townhomes, and charming walk-ups.
Prices range: ~$600K for condos and smaller homes to $2M+ for historic houses
Limited yard space, but major walkability and history in every direction
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
Downtown living is full of character — you can walk to school drop-off, the farmer’s market, and story time without ever getting in your car. It’s a tight-knit vibe, especially for moms who love culture, walkability, and a little Southern grit.
James Island
James Island gives you that “locals-only” charm — close to Folly Beach, full of big trees and old oaks, and just 10–15 minutes from Downtown Charleston. It’s laid-back, creative, and full of personality, with a real sense of community (and lots of barefoot kids riding bikes).
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
Riverland Terrace (historic + hip), Seaside Plantation, Ocean Neighbors, Whitehouse Plantation, and The Preserve at Dills Bluff (newer builds).
🏫 Standout Schools:
Elementary:
Stiles Point Elementary – A top performer with active parent involvement
Harbor View Elementary – Highly rated, diverse, and walkable to nearby neighborhoods
James Island Elementary – Great location and steadily improving
Middle:
Camp Road Middle School – Recently updated, supportive teachers, and strong arts programs.
High:
James Island Charter High School – Offers AP, honors, dual-enrollment, and career programs — and it’s a charter, which gives some flexibility in learning paths.
Private Options Nearby:
Nativity School – Catholic K–8
Charleston Collegiate – Just across the water on Johns Island
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Stiles Point and Harbor View often score 8–10/10. James Island Charter is a standout for high schoolers who want both academic and career prep opportunities.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
O’Bear Café — local favorite for coffee, kid snacks, and a beachy vibe
James Island County Park — playgrounds, trails, splash pad, and outdoor movie nights
James Island Library — great children’s section with frequent events
📦 Real Estate Overview:
Mix of classic bungalows, brick ranches, and some newer infill construction
Prices range: ~$400K–$800K depending on location and renovation
Many homes are close to parks and have larger yards
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
James Island is cozy, friendly, and close to everything — the beach, downtown, and Target (let’s be real). Moms love the small-town feel with big access to the best parts of Charleston.
Hanahan
Hanahan is one of those under-the-radar spots locals love — small-town feel, good schools, and way more affordable than many other Charleston areas. It’s ideal for families who want good value and strong community vibes.
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
Tanner Plantation, Eagle Landing, Otranto, Dominion Hills, and Bowen Village (by the water)
🏫 Standout Schools:
Elementary:
Hanahan Elementary – Great community reputation, strong PTA
Boulder Bluff Elementary – Smaller, diverse student body
Middle:
Hanahan Middle School – Focus on leadership, clubs, and supportive staff
High:
Hanahan High School – Known for academics, athletics, and strong community involvement
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Hanahan schools are consistently rated 7–9/10, especially Hanahan Elementary and High. Parents love the teachers, small-town feel, and accountability from staff.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
Lowcountry Coffee Roasters — relaxed, spacious, and often full of laptop moms
Hanahan Amphitheater Park — events, playgrounds, and open space
Hanahan Library — a small but charming community library
📦 Real Estate Overview:
Affordable compared to other Charleston areas. Mostly single-family homes with yards, many in established neighborhoods
Prices range: ~$275K–$550K
Great option for military families or first-time buyers
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
Hanahan is super family-friendly, quiet, and has a reputation for strong schools without the steep price tag. It’s tucked away, but close enough to everything.
Summerville
Summerville is like the hometown of Charleston suburbs — sweet tea central, with front porches, good schools, and a slower pace. It’s perfect for moms who want charm, space, and a strong school district — especially Dorchester District 2.
📍 Neighborhoods to Know:
Nexton (super popular and master-planned), Cane Bay, Historic Downtown Summerville, White Gables, and Legend Oaks
🏫 Standout Schools (Dorchester District 2):
Elementary:
Knightsville Elementary – Known for strong leadership and test scores
Summerville Elementary – Historic feel with a strong academic record
Joseph Pye Elementary – One of the newer, top-rated schools
Middle:
Rollings Middle School of the Arts – Magnet program with competitive entry
Gregg Middle and Alston Middle – Well-rated and community-focused
High:
Summerville High School – Large, established, with strong athletics and AP programs
Ashley Ridge High School – Popular with families for newer facilities and academic diversity
Fort Dorchester – Another solid high school option
Private Option:
Pinewood Prep – Prestigious private Pre-K–12 with a great reputation
⭐️ School Ratings (from Niche/Great Schools):
Dorchester District 2 schools are consistently 8–10/10, especially in elementary and middle grades. Parents say it’s one of the main reasons they move here.
🛝 Family-Friendly Spots:
Coastal Coffee Roasters — great vibes, outdoor seating, and locally roasted beans
Gahagan Park — playground, walking trails, splash pad, and sports fields
Summerville Library — spacious and kid-friendly
📦 Real Estate Overview:
Lots of variety — from newer townhomes to traditional single-family to mini-estates
Prices range: ~$325K–$750K
Growing rapidly with new builds and family-friendly developments
🎯 Why Moms Love It:
Summerville feels like home. Great schools, good value, and that sweet spot between suburban comfort and Southern charm. It’s a favorite for moms who want space, stability, and strong community.
