The Capers Story
A school in desperate need of a new home and a church looking for a chance to practice what it was preaching: that’s the combination that brought Capers Preparatory Christian School to Crosstowne Christian Church.
Capers Preparatory Christian School was started by Dr. Fayrine Brown six years ago to help students who might otherwise fall through the cracks in our education system. 
The small, kindergarten-through-12th grade school has gained national attention and holds a notable record of success: every one of its graduates have gone on to college.
Despite that success, the recession hit the school hard in 2009, and was almost forced to close its doors.
Meanwhile, Crosstowne Christian Church’s lead pastor, Paul Rienzo, had been teaching the concept of Missio Dei, the sending of God, encouraging the church to look for ways to reach out to the community in a positive, Christian, world-changing way.
When Pastor Paul heard about the Capers situation, he offered the school the use of Crosstowne’s space during the school year. His offer came the same day Dr. Brown was planning to tell parents that the school was closing.
“It’s so unbelievable,” Brown told Charleston’s Post and Courier. “It is meant for us to be here.”
The school relocated from its old location on Johns Island to Crosstowne over the course of a single week. Students didn’t miss a single day of class, and the school’s first graduation ceremony was held at its new home in 2010.
The school is now able to focus on the future, though the economy continues to have its effects. Of its six teachers, four have graduate degrees, yet they all earn no more than $8.00 an hour. Dr. Brown volunteers as director of the school.
Donations to Capers Prep may be mailed to: Capers Preparatory Christian Academy, 1945 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.