League Academy of Communication Arts is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment. We provide such an environment through the implementation of our school vision, which is to prepare students to become lifelong learners and contributing members of society through rigorous, arts-focused, standards-based instruction. We demonstrate this vision by challenging our students with best practices to reach their full potential and by the continuous professional development of our teachers.
Under new leadership, the vision remains the same. Named League Academy’s new principal in April of 2025, I bring over 20 years of experience in arts education and leadership having served the majority of that time at League Academy. Our focus this year will be on three core values: alignment, accessibility, and accountability. This means we will work together to set clear goals, provide support so every student can succeed, and keep our standards high.
An exciting new addition to our master schedule is iStudio, a Project-based Learning (PBL) course, uniquely designed to capture our vision and intentionally integrate our initiatives. Inquiry, innovation, and integration drive the direction and purpose of iStudio offered in all grade levels for all students. Students address real-world challenges in a creative approach of collaboration, problem-solving, and cross-curricular extension.
Our school, PTA, SIC, and community operate under the Capturing Kids' Hearts philosophy. League Academy was designated as a 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School. Our students have leadership opportunities including CKH Process Champions, a teen leadership course, and a Capturing Kids’ Hearts Leadership Team.
Our teachers are always seeking to learn new and effective classroom strategies such as: integration of the arts and technology into all disciplines and content areas. Professional Learning Communities and curriculum development drive our instructional process. We are proud of our strong history of academic success. League Academy was designated as a National Jr. Beta Club School of Distinction in 2016 and again in 2017 and 2018. Our fine arts department has active chapters in Tri-M Music Honor Society. League Academy was also initially awarded Arts in the Basic Curriculum Grant in 2016 and continues to be awarded the grant to integrate the arts and art standards into the curriculum across the school. In 2020 League Academy became an ABC Certified School, and was recertified as an ABC certified school in 2022.
League Academy has been re-designated as a National School to Watch (STW) by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. We are currently applying for redesignation for the fifth time. We originally were named a National School To Watch in 2011 and again in 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2023. The four criteria upon which designation is based include academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, organizational structure, and social equity.
Students have a variety of academic and arts opportunities at League that include a communication arts program and intermediate and advanced studies in drama, dance, band, strings, choral music and the visual art; all award winning programs. Additionally, students can select communication arts electives, including graphic art and design, video production, gaming, engineering, teen leadership and journalism. We offer over 14 high school credit classes in the arts and academics. In 2025, League had the highest percentage of students in the district entering high school with high school credits.
Thank you for the continued support of the students and community at League Academy of Communication Arts.
Mrs. Dana Swartzel, Principal
