Berkeley County School District holds groundbreaking on new elementary school

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A groundbreaking was held Wednesday for a new elementary school coming to Berkeley County.

“We are here building one of three of our first phase of our capital penny sales tax projects. And this is an elementary school in the Jedberg area where it’s on the intersection of Cane Bay Boulevard and Black Tom Road,” said Berkeley County School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon.

The school will hold roughly 1,200 students through the 5^th grade.

“We are now at 40,000 students in Berkeley County schools. This will be one of many needed buildings,” said Dr. Dixon.

The district has three major projects happening simultaneously.

“A middle school in the Nexton area, this elementary school, and a full major renovation of Hanahan Middle School,” he said.

The 163,000-square-foot school costs about $88 million and is funded by the penny sales tax.

“The site is right at 42 acres, so it’s gonna give us plenty of stacking for car riders and buses and parking for the staff,” said Dave Hemstrought, BCSD Capital Projects Director.

Superintendent Dixon said the question he hears repeatedly about the school is, how soon can it open? Officials hope to have the school completed and ready for the first students in the fall of 2026.