Buist Academy for Advanced Studies continued its proud tradition of academic excellence during the 2025-2026 school year. Reflecting this commitment to an outstanding school culture and academic community, Buist Academy was incredibly honored to receive the Jostens Renaissance School of Distinction-Silver Tier honor. This prestigious recognition celebrates the school's dedication to creating a positive climate where both student achievement and staff morale are actively uplifted. This accolade underscores our unwavering devotion to providing an exceptional education and fostering a supportive, celebratory learning environment for all our students.
The faculty and staff engaged students in world-class instruction. Students reached astounding levels of growth and achievement. Buist Academy is helping all students develop the world-class skills expected of the South Carolina Graduate by nurturing an environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and effective communication.
Collaboration and effective communication are essential to student and organizational success. The faculty and staff at Buist Academy consistently model effective collaboration and communication practices. They collaborate through various professional learning communities within the school. Teachers meet weekly with the IB Coordinator and instructional coach to plan units, review standards, and reflect on best practices in teaching and learning. The master schedule provides common planning time for grade-level teams.
Students find opportunities to collaborate and communicate in the classroom by working with partners and within groups. Grade levels with common standards collaborate to reinforce and support specific skills or concepts. Student collaboration and communication are encouraged through competitive academic competitions such as Mock Trial, Quiz Bowl, Battle of the Books, Scripps Spelling Bee, Beta Club, and HOSA.
Our students achieved incredible success in these arenas this year; Buist proudly claimed both the 1st and 3rd-place winners of the Charleston County School District Spelling Bee. Furthermore, our students shined on the national stage as ten students advanced to HOSA Nationals and four students advanced to Beta Club Nationals.
Efforts were made to improve and build relationships within the school community. Teacher-led clubs continued to provide students with an increased sense of belonging. Clubs were held during the school day. In-school clubs allowed all students the opportunity to participate. Parents took the lead with recreational after-school sports. Students also participated in a variety of team-building activities and field trips throughout the year.
As an International Baccalaureate school, Buist strives to provide students with the knowledge, attributes, and skills to work together. IB communicators express themselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many other ways. They also collaborate effectively and listen carefully to the perspectives of different individuals and groups. IB projects, such as the Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) community service project, allow students to work in groups.
In the final year of the PYP, students undertake an extended collaborative project known as the PYP Exhibition. This year, a LOCAL Partnership with the College of Charleston provided faculty-level mentors to engage students in deep research with their PYP projects. At the end of eighth grade, the MYP community service project offers a significant opportunity for students to collaborate and engage in service learning. Students successfully communicated the outcomes of their projects to parents, teachers, fellow students, and community members.
To ensure that all students are reading at or above grade level, Buist Academy offers a variety of instructional support groups during the school day and after school. Intervention times were built into the master schedule for all grade levels. Students received enrichment to support their diverse learning needs.
By modeling collaborative practices and providing students with opportunities for collaboration, we are equipping them with the skills necessary for future success. With the support of faculty, staff, administration, parents, and the community, we will continue to excel academically and provide students with multiple opportunities to establish the world-class skills expected of a South Carolina Graduate.
Marvin Conyers, Principal
Jill Chandler, SIC Chair
