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Welcome to Charleston Development Academy!
Welcome to Charleston Development Academy!

Where excellence begins and every student is empowered to learn, lead, and succeed. At CDA, we nurture the whole child through academic rigor, character development, and a culture of respect and achievement. Together, we are building bright futures—one scholar at a time.

Collage of students in all area of CDA life
Our Vision

An Intellect Construction Enterprise; Developing Minds, Building Character, Engineering Futures Where excellence is a standard expectation and where standards are expected to be excellent.

Collage of CDA students engaged in STEAM and PLTW
Inspiring Innovation Through STEAM & Project Lead The Way (PLTW)!

At Charleston Development Academy, students explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through hands-on, project-based learning. Our PLTW program empowers scholars to think critically, design creatively, and solve real-world problems—preparing them to lead in a future driven by innovation. 

CDA Earns Palmetto Gold Award
Charleston Development Academy Earns Palmetto Gold Award!

Charleston Development Academy has been recognized with the Palmetto Gold Award for the 2023–2024 school year—a reflection of our continued commitment to academic excellence and student success.
 

CDA is celebrating 20 years of excellence during the 2025-2026 school year!
Celebrating 20 Years

Charleston Development Academy Public Charter School proudly celebrates 20 years of educating, empowering, and inspiring young minds!

For two decades, CDA has been committed to providing high-quality education grounded in academic excellence, character development, and community engagement. From our first day to today, our mission remains the same — to create a nurturing environment where every student can achieve success and become a lifelong learner and leader.

Please watch this celebratory video exemplifying our 20 years of excellence by selecting this link. 

News & Announcements

Upcoming Events

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"Charleston Development Academy gave me the foundation I needed to dream big and work hard. The values of discipline, perseverance, and community I learned at CDA carried me through high school and University and helped me succeed as an engineering graduate. I am proud to be a CDA alum and grateful for the teachers who believed in me." - CDA Alum

"At Charleston Development Academy, we are committed to developing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. Our goal is to provide students with a strong foundation of excellence, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in high school, college, and beyond. Every day, we nurture leaders, innovators, and lifelong learners who will make a lasting impact in their communities." - Dr. Shawn Johnson, Executive School Director