From 1865 to 1975, education in Charleston was a path of progress, struggle, and deep determination. After the Civil War, newly freed African Americans worked tirelessly to build schools, believing that learning was the key to freedom and opportunity. Despite segregation and inequality, communities remained committed to education. Teachers became leaders, and schools became places of hope. By the mid-20th century, voices like Septima Poinsette Clark fought for equal access to learning, proving that education was not just a right, but a powerful tool for change. Through every challenge, Charleston’s people showed that knowledge could light the way forward—and that the value of learning is one of a city’s greatest strengths.