ORANGEBURG, SC – On Monday, August 12, the Willie Jeffries School of Excellence (WJSE) welcomed students for the first time to begin orientation for the school’s inaugural year.
Located in Orangeburg, WJSE is a tuition-free, public charter school serving grades K-6 in its first year of operation. The school will add a grade level each year until it reaches K-8 at full matriculation. WJSE focuses on academics, school culture, and community in order to achieve its goal that every student receives a world class education.
“Excitement is everywhere,” said School Leader Dr. Fabien McGill. “From the students, to the parents, to the teachers and the staff, there is an overwhelming sense of hope and anticipation for the future. I am confident that, together, the WJSE community will make a real difference in the lives of South Carolina’s families.”
At orientation, students can adjust to their new school through opportunities to meet teachers, administration, and their peers.
“I got to meet my friends, and it was a great first day,” said WJSE first grader Karmen. “The best part about it was my teachers!”
The Berkeley Charter Education Association (BCEA) developed the concept for WJSE and worked with football legend Coach Willie Jeffries and the Charter Institute at Erskine over the past two years to open the school.
“Walking through these halls and seeing students in classrooms is the most rewarding part of the entire process,” said BCEA Board Chair, Dr. Stewart Weinberg. “It may not have been easy, but we came together as a united front to bring generational transformation to the community of Orangeburg. This would not have been possible without the support from the community and our WJSE families.”
WJSE is a public, tuition-free charter school currently enrolling grades K-6. To learn more about Willie Jeffries School of Excellence, visit www.wjschool.org. To give to their campaign, visit https://wjschool.org/campaign/.
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The Charter Institute at Erskine is the fastest-growing school district in South Carolina. Serving 26 schools and 28,000 students across the state, the Charter Institute at Erskine is committed to innovative, creative, high-quality methods of education. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.erskinecharters.org.
