Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2018

69 www.BestOfMP.com BEST OF 2018 2018 W W W . B E S T O F M P . C O M F or more than 25 years, Palmetto Christian Academy has cultivated a Christian-based educational environment that advances students’ learning and values. Mount Pleasant Magazine readers continue to be impressed and inspired by the high- quality education PCA offers, voting it the best private school for the fourth year in a row. With a dedicated faculty and a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, PCA strives to prepare students to become successful, well-rounded members of society. An example of this preparation is the school’s Senior Seminar, a Capstone-like class in which students research and develop a thesis throughout the year before producing an interactive presentation. “Our goal is to train citizens who are contributors to society, not just consumers,” said PCA Academic Counselor Sally Pascutti. “By writing and defending a thesis, students gain practical experience in participating in the greater conversation of ideas. In many cases, this project has refined for students the way in which they will contribute – either through a particular career or volunteer service.” During the first quarter of the year-long class, students develop their topics, learn theory and do research. The remainder of the seminar is spent writing and cultivating their arguments. PCA places a great deal of importance on this program because it not only teaches students how to interact in an educational setting but also encourages them to bring their own interests into the classroom and guides them through ways to effectively contribute. Katie Jacobs, who teaches the course, sees this influence firsthand: “Choosing a relevant and arguable thesis to focus on all year long is great for students because it allows them the opportunity to own their learning in a meaningful way, a skill that is crucial for college and beyond.” Subjects for the senior thesis vary. Students in the 2017 Senior Seminar decided on topics from “Orthopedic Medicine” and “The Ethics of Genetic Engineering” to “The Film Ratings System” and “A Christian’s View on Climate Change.” Paired with a mentor, students use research and insight from conversations with community leaders to influence their arguments. PCA graduate and current Clemson freshman Ashley Browne concentrated on the issue of ending homelessness. “I have always been very moved when I see or interact with the homeless on the streets of any American city or any foreign country and was especially affected by those on the streets of my home near downtown Charleston,” she revealed. “My thesis explored the Housing First Model as the most effective method to work toward ending homelessness.” Through learning the value of self-education, logical thinking and the power of persuasion, PCA graduates enter the world with greater confidence. According to Browne, she gained more than the expected academic skills. She learned “to persevere through challenging tasks, reach out to other sources for guidance and information,” and to be “knowledgeable about my stance so I can discuss it with others.” These are the skills the PCA faculty works tirelessly to develop in students. “The thesis is hard work, requiring a large volume of new knowledge, organization and creative thinking to establish a personal, original position. But in the end, it brings light, life and enthusiasm to learning,” said Pascutti. “Students do a hard thing, and they know they can do it again.” Ashley Browne, a freshman at Clemson, is a recent graduate of Palmetto Christian Academy. By Samantha Connors To learn more, visit www.visit.pca.org . The Greater Conversation of Ideas Palmetto Christian Academy Photo courtesy of PCA.