| One of the biggest draws to Summerville real | | | | or she can send you MLS listings for only the |
| estate is the good public school systems. While | | | | schools you want. Your agent can also help you |
| buyers avoid some of the other Charleston areas | | | | confirm that the home is zoned for the school |
| (like Johns Island and West Ashley) because of | | | | you want before you buy. |
| the schools, buyers flock to live in the Dorchester | | | | From elementary to high school, Dorchester 2 |
| II school district in Summerville. In fact, the only | | | | schools consistently rank well. The district also has |
| public schools in Charleston that beat | | | | relatively low teacher to student ratios: child |
| Summerville's are Mt. Pleasant (which has | | | | development is 20:2; kindergarten is 24:1; first |
| considerably higher real estate prices). | | | | grade is 18:1; second through fifth grade is 20:1; |
| It's important to note, though, that Dorchester | | | | sixth through twelfth grade is 25:1. About 70 |
| School District 2 has the best schools in | | | | percent of its high school graduates enroll in a |
| Summerville. Some buyers think that simply | | | | college, university, or technical program. The |
| buying a home in Summerville guarantees good | | | | average SAT score for 2007 to 2008 was 1015 |
| schools for their children, but this is not necessarily | | | | (this is higher than the state average of 984 but |
| the case. A lot of homes are zoned for | | | | slightly lower than the national average of 1021). |
| Dorchester School District 4, but these schools | | | | The average ACT score for 2006 to 2007 was |
| are not nearly the caliber as the District 2. | | | | 21.3 (higher than the state average of 19.6 and |
| So, if you're considering buying a home in | | | | slightly higher than the national average of 21.2). |
| Summerville, be sure to get the school district | | | | Dorchester District 2 is also a good option for |
| confirmed before you buy. You'll see in MLS | | | | buyers who are teachers. The school district is |
| reports which elementary, middle, and high school | | | | the second largest employer in Dorchester |
| each home is zoned for. The elementary schools | | | | Country (with the Bosch Corporation being the |
| in Dorchester 2 are Beech Hill, Eagle Nest, | | | | largest). |
| Flowertown, Fort Dorchester, Knightsville, | | | | It's also important to note that even if you don't |
| Newington, Oakbrook, Spann, Summerville, William | | | | have children, schools are a good indicator for |
| Reeves, Windsor Hill. The middle schools are | | | | buying real estate. Homes zoned for good public |
| Alston, Dubose, Gregg, Oakbrook, River Oaks, | | | | school districts are always in demand from home |
| and Rollings Middle School of the Arts. You'll find 3 | | | | buyers. This demand usually leads to good resale |
| high schools: Ashley Ridge, Fort Dorchester, and | | | | value down the road. So, whether you're a |
| Summerville High. Be sure to talk with your real | | | | teacher, parent, or investor, Summerville real |
| estate agent if schools are important to you. He | | | | estate may be a good option for you to consider. |