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Hanahan Elementary

Bowen's Corner Elementary

Hanahan Middle

Hanahan High

Total Berkeley County Private*

*Source: South Carolina Department of Education Headcounts

According to the 2019 ACS, approximately 91% of Hanahan school age children (K-12) attended public schools and the remaining 9% attended private schools, representing a slight increase (previously 87%) in public school attendance since the 2010 ACS. However, more recent data from the South Carolina Department of Education shows that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed school enrollment in the area. Specifically, private school enrollment between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years in Berkeley County increased by about one thousand students, or by over 200%. COVID-19 had a large impact on the foundation of school systems across the country and is the probable reason for the sudden and significant shift toward private school attendance at that time.

School Enrollment Forecasts

Despite the shift in public to private schools, the public educational facilities in Hanahan are forecasted to have a relatively steady enrollment in the upcoming decade. Based on BCSD attendance forecasts, Hanahan Elementary was the only facility near capacity at the 135-day attendance estimation, as seen in Table 5 Bowen’s Corner Elementary and Hanahan High are forecasted to remain under 90% capacity and Hanahan Middle School will eventually near capacity, but is not forecasted to do so in the next decade.

School Enrollment forecasts are an important tool to use when assessing the needs for new or improved facilities and infrastructure, such as additional classrooms, after-school services, sports and recreation programs, additional parking, school bus services, children/pedestrian safety officers, police protection, and other ancillary needs that maintaining a school may require. Although the BCSD, will provide some of these needs, at-capacity schools can impact Hanahan’s physical infrastructure, such as roads, sidewalks, and parks, increase traffic congestion through school bus stops and pickup/drop-off lines, crime and public safety and the community social structures. Continued coordination with BCSD and Berkeley County is required to address these future needs based on the forecasted enrollment numbers.

Utilization

Post-Secondary Education

There are no post-secondary schools within the limits of Hanahan, but many higher education facilities exist in the region and near the city. Trident Technical College, Thornley Campus, is located on Rivers Ave adjacent to the city boundary, near the Hanahan Recreation Complex and Hanahan Elementary School. Other institutions such as, Charleston Southern University, College of Charleston, the Citadel, and the Medical University of South Carolina are all post-secondary education facilities located within the BCD region.

Libraries and Other Cultural Buildings

Hanahan Library is a branch of the Berkeley County Library System and is located at 1216 Old Murray Court. The 6,700 square-foot facility finished construction in 2014 and offers several additional features, such as a community meeting space, a kitchen area, a small conference room and two study rooms, as well as the latest technology. Many of the programs offered at the library aim to support the needs of youth and teens. These programs include story time, summer reading programs, and reading challenges.