Charleston's Independent School Directory 2019-20

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CISD 199 Jump-Starting Success OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY O ceanside Collegiate Academy has blazed a path for many students over the past three years. A free, public charter high school, it has knocked down barriers of misinformation within the traditional educational system and the South Carolina High School League. “Oceanside Collegiate Academy serves high school students in a safe, small, family- centered environment who seek the opportunity and challenge of a rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while earning up to two years of college credit,” explained Brenda Corley, principal. Oceanside started with 325 students in an alternate location. Last year, the school moved to its current location on Faison Road, and will have accepted 700 students with 350 students waitlisted. Students are selected through a lottery-based system that is held in December. Applications can be submitted in September or October. “Our 9th and 10th grades are enrolled in a high school honors core curriculum, our 11th and 12th grade students are enrolled in dual-enrollment courses taught on campus by Oceanside professors through Trident Technical College,” said Corley, who has been with the school since its inception. “We have the luxury of having high school and college teachers in the same building, which allows those teachers to work together in planning and designing curriculum.” In other words, Oceanside Collegiate Academy has an American literature professor speak to the English 101 professor about what his or her students need in order to find success at that level. The school offers an array of core and elective college courses including: English, BY STACY DOMINGO math, science, social studies, world languages, economics and arts. “Our students are finding huge success in our classrooms and on the fields. This last semester we saved our community almost $2 million dollars between college tuition, technology and college textbooks, as our students earned 2,331 college credits,” revealed Corley. The athletic program is also a great avenue of success for Oceanside students. With 28 teams competing in their athletic program, it is a great start for their first year in being allowed to participate. “We have already won two state titles and are currently in contention for three more,” explained Corley. “Oceanside’s model separates teachers and coaches. Our teachers teach, and our coaches coach. Coaching is what they love to do and what they are passionate about. Our teachers are focused on academics and supporting our students on their individual journey to their next level.” Oceanside Collegiate Academy is happy that their message has reached the community. “This charter environment promotes autonomy and accountability from all to include students, faculty, coaches and administration. This has created an environment where the learning environment is respected and protected. We have clear goals we must meet every year and are accountable to a higher degree than a traditional school. All Landsharks understand being at Oceanside is a choice, and we all work even harder because of that fact,” finished Corley. To learn more about Oceanside Collegiate Academy, admissions, academics or athletic programs, visit them online at OceansideCollegiateAcademy.org or call 843-936-7128. Photo by Jenn Cady.