DAVONTAE SINGLETON
Dives Into Riverview Charter School
story by MICAH PEPPERS photos by SUSAN DELOACH
This summer, Riverview Charter School made an administrative change. A Charleston native, Davontae Singleton was honored to be named the school’s new director. Singleton grew up in the Lowcountry area, only leaving for Columbia for higher education.
Although Singleton has dedicated his life to the education profession, that wasn’t always his path. “I originally started my undergraduate studies as a political science major. My plan was to attend law school. I grew up with a family who always told me that was what I should pursue because I like to talk and refute others’ arguments,” Singleton laughs. He continues, “But honestly, I knew since 3rd grade that I wanted to do something a little different. I guess you could say I had a purpose and was being called to be an educator.” In Singleton’s second semester of his freshman year of college, he knew he had to make a change. “I switched over to major in English because I really wanted to teach a subject that truly encompassed all areas — English Language and Literature allowed this,” Singleton explains. “Making a leap from my family’s dream to focusing on my own was tough. I was worried about disappointing my family, and it weighed heavily on me. But I called my mom first and she told me to follow my heart, and do what I was called to do. Once I got that confirmation from my mom, that was all that mattered, and I declared my new major the same day.”
Singleton had his eyes set on becoming a high school English teacher. Since obtaining a secondary education certification at the bachelor’s level wasn’t an option, he continued to pursue his master’s in Teaching in Secondary English. While in the program, the director informed the group of student interns about an opportunity to add on a middle-level teaching endorsement which would allow graduates to become grades 6-12 certified. “I wanted this opportunity to leverage my job marketability, however, I found out I had to do an internship at a middle school — which I had never worked with students that young. I ended up having a Cooperating Teacher who taught a 6th grade English Language Arts class. I was caught off guard because I loved it so much! Good for me, but not so good for my advisor who recruited our class to become high school teachers, so that jump from high school to middle school sort of caught her off guard too, but ultimately she gave her full blessing.” After that, Singleton continued his middle school English teacher journey.
Upon completing his first master’s, Singleton was hired at E.L. Wright Middle School in Columbia. “It was the right place for me,” Singleton explains. “I felt so supported by my staff and colleagues who brought me in as a first-year teacher. Even though many of us have now gone on different paths in our career, that core group of colleagues are still some of my closest friends. My nerves were high my first year. I was 23 at the time, and wondered if the other teachers would find me professional — so many thoughts were swarming about millennials not having the same levels of dedication as those who came before us. All those fears were dissipated after meeting my team.”
Singleton continued to teach in Columbia for the next several years. He went on to get his second master’s. This time in Administration and Supervision from Anderson University. “In 2020, I felt it was time to transition out of the classroom and into a leadership position. My potential impact could then be felt on a macroscale, and so I was hired at Dent Middle School, as an Assistant Administrator, which was funny to some as they are E.L. Wright’s rival school.” It was Singleton’s growth and support system at Dent MS, under his former principal, Tamala Ashford, that led him to prepare for a school leadership position. She ultimately ensured I had the tools to be successful, but she also encouraged me to apply for the director position at Riverview Charter School.
Upon starting this first year at Riverview, Singleton was asked what changes he was looking forward to putting in place. “I really plan to spend the first couple of months immersing myself in the Riverview family and culture. It’s a well-oiled machine as it is, but every machine needs constant maintenance to ensure all systems are working at its optimum peak. I want to see what has worked and where we can grow? How can we support the students more?” Letting the families know he is present is what is important to Singleton at the moment. “I want to make sure our students and families know who we are and what we are about. Riverview will celebrate 15 years as an educational institution and is only growing better. I want to strengthen our relationship with our authorizer, Beaufort County School District, as well as build strong and sustainable relationships with the superintendent and school board. It’s also very important for me that our students go on to do well when they transition back into Beaufort County’s local high schools. Those are the things I really want other people to know about Riverview.”
Singleton believes in everything that Riverview can do for its students and wants families in the Lowcountry to be informed as well. “I want the word to get out,” he explains. “I want every family to know what we offer and that their child can be a student who thrives here.”
Riverview Charter School is a standout school with aspects that make it unique; however, there is one attribute that puts it above the rest. “The community,” Singleton states. “Hands down, that is what I love most about the school. People truly adore this place. I’m talking about everyone, not just the people who work here. I have found that our community also has a genuine vested interest in what we are doing. It makes my job so much easier. Value is seen for what the school brings and the outcomes we deliver.”
For those that find interest in attending Riverview, there is a process to get accepted. The school opened its doors in August 2009 and accepts students on a 100% lottery-based system. “We currently have enrolled almost 700 students and have a waiting list now. Families are choosing to come here. Our parents, staff, and board members are committed to Riverview and want to see it be successful. Each of our cycles got to go on multi-night field studies. Our 2nd graders travel to the Barrier Islands, while our 5th graders travel to Washington, DC, and our 8th graders travel to Costa Rica. It’s important that our students have these experiences, regardless of their background situation. So many people don’t get opportunities like this, to immerse themselves and bridge the academics with real-world experiences, so it’s very exciting for them. I believe these trips will truly shape them and expose students to future unique paths and opportunities.”
Riverview is truly student-centered with increasing opportunities for students. A high priority on academics is evident, but there are several sports for the students as well. “We have expanded more than ten sports teams in our athletic department and other opportunities are expanding. For example, we don’t have a lacrosse team, but one of our active parents assisted the school in applying for a grant to establish a lacrosse program complete with curriculum, materials, and we can even build it into our PE program to get students exposed to the sport. Once it garners enough interest, it can become a sports team if our students are interested, so we are really excited for that,” Singleton explains. “We are also working on increasing sponsorships and fundraisers, such as our Stingray Scramble, which is one of our annual fundraisers to support athletics. We are even finding those who maybe couldn’t help before are now able to come out and support. My goal for the school is to become friends and partners with our local businesses. For example, the Port Royal Fire Department visited the first day of school, and it was great to foster that relationship, but they also helped welcome students and showed some of our student leaders how to properly install and remove our flags each day. I truly believe we create mutual partnerships with our community. Everyone is working together for a common cause to give students something they may not have had before.”
Singleton is looking forward to this current adventure as director, but it’s not the only thing he’s excited for. “When I found out I was moving back to the coast, all I could think about was fresh seafood,” he laughs. “But I’m also looking forward to hosting my friends and family who haven’t visited this beautiful area yet. I’m grateful to be closer to them in Charleston and really looking forward to exploring my new home.”
