Aiken Scholars Academy (ASA) has developed an academically focused instructional program to ensure that all students are prepared to graduate with world-class knowledge and skills, along with quality life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. ASA offers a rigorous course of study in a nurturing and supportive learning environment with strong beliefs and values focused on culture building, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and community service.
ASA has a thriving culture in which we cultivate positive and long-lasting relationships, embrace diversity, communicate effectively, and provide support for the developmental and academic needs of our student body. We firmly believe in developing the whole child and preparing scholars for success in school, work, and life. We focus on building the Scholar Profile attributes within all of our students, which include Service, Curiosity & Life-Long Learning, Honor, Ownership, Leadership, Advocacy, and Resilience.
Developing a positive school culture and climate maintains a priority within the school. We accomplish this by offering school sponsored extracurricular activities to engage students. The Academic Team had a great season finishing third in the county during the regular season and fifth in the Aiken Triple Crown. in the County Team Tournament. The Beta Club inducted 30 new members and completed service projects with Harvest Hope's Spooky to be Hungry and Keep Aiken Beautiful. We chartered the National Honor Society chapter and inducted 42 new members. Students engaged in STEM activities as well. We initiated a Cyber Patriots team and were the Top Gold Tier Team in South Carolina for our division. We maintained our partnership with Scientific Research Corporation where students learned about Open-Source Intelligence. The Fine Arts club gathered weekly, exposing students to various types of activities. They supported Aiken's Hopelands Garden event, hosted two-week art show at a local gallery, and sponsored Furry Friends Friday, where members of FOTAS brought shelter dogs in monthly to visit. Science Team competed in the Science Olympiad, ranking in the top ten in the state and the only ACPSD school to participate. They also started a Gardening Club, producing kale, garlic, potatoes, carrots, and such. Student Council continued to bring scholars together outside of the classroom and promote school spirit. The school hosted the SCASC District Three Rally in October, welcoming nearly 500 students from across the state to learn about leadership. They continued Heritage month celebrations and introduced an Earth Month program. In addition to these, they spirit weeks, game nights, movie nights, dances, a talent show, and much more. They also sponsored Helping Hands by collected donations for children who are placed there and held a walk for ACTS. They were recognized by the SC Student Association of Student Councils Honor Recognition Program, earning the Gold Council of Honor. One student was inducted into the Terry McCoy Hall of Fame for being named Outstanding Student Council Member of the Year and Ms. Hannah was named the SCASC High School Advisor of the Year. "The Nest" published its 5th yearbook entirely developed and created by students. Dual enrollment students also shined outside of ASA earning recognitions for their involvement in UofSC Aiken's Summer Scholars Institute (SSI), Broken Ink, Scholar Showcase, and engagement in active research on campus. This summer, eight additional students will be participating in SSI, a paid research internship.
The School Improvement Council maintained its focus on recruitment and retention, along with increasing community relationships. They hosted a Parent Night and a Community Member Night.
Student achievement is reliant upon providing access to meaningful and engaging learning experiences with a focus on academic excellence and preparation for future learning. Through the advanced course sequence and use of honors and Advanced Placement curriculum delivered by experienced faculty, Scholars are engaged in critical thinking, problem solving and collaborative efforts daily.
With such an accelerated program comes the highest of expectations. Scholars rose to the challenge, evidenced by their performance on state assessments. In 2022-2023 Scholars earned a 100% pass rate on the Biology End of Course test (EOCT), with 36 students earning a perfect score and 100% earning an A or B. Additionally, there was a 100% pass rate on English 2 EOCT, with 31 students earning a perfect score and 100% earning an A or B. On the U.S. History and Constitution EOCT, there was a 100% pass rate, with 37 students earning a perfect score, and 100% earning an A, B, or C. Of the students enrolled in a U.S. Government course, 100% passed the James Edwards Civics Assessment.
Students participated in 280 AP Exams. Overall, 98% percent of students earned a qualifying score on an AP exam and 90% of all scores were a 3,4 or 5. Additionally, 80% of students earned qualifying scores on all exams taken. The school's performance surpassed state and global performance in ALL subject areas assessed! We want to highlight performance in AP Calculus AB 100%, AP ELA Language 83%, AP Human Geography 98%, AP Research 96% AP Seminar 100%, and AP Statistics 90% qualifying score rates.
ASA facilitates the learning process and builds within Scholars the ability to make connections between their knowledge and its application to the world beyond the secondary classroom. We believe in working cohesively with our school family and local community, and our Scholars have a responsibility to support our local community through service-learning projects. As a whole school, there were 1958 documented hours of community service. We continued the implementation of the ASA Reads Literacy Program with local elementary schools, placing students in elementary school classrooms to support teachers. Additionally, all 41 sophomores volunteered at Literacy Day at a local school either reading to multiple K-2 classrooms or supporting a book swap. This fall we will be returning to the school to provide similar support for a Numeracy Day. In addition, the school's Science Team worked with another elementary school to host hands-on science labs in first grade classrooms for a day.
The school celebrated its second graduating class with 41* students completing all the requirements to earn a high school diploma (*n= 9GR 20 Cohort). The graduating class data can be found highlighted in the chart below.
Graduation Rate |
100% |
College & Career Readiness |
100% |
Scholarship Awards |
$3,902,472.00 |
Honor Graduates |
37 |
Highest Graduating GPA (weighted) |
5.528 |
Average Graduating GPA (weighted) |
4.732 |
SC State Honors Diploma |
16 |
AP Capstone Diploma |
26 |
AP Seminar & Research Certificate |
13 |
AP Scholars |
18 |
AP Scholars with Distinction |
24 |
AP Scholars with Honor |
4 |
Earned SC Seal of Biliteracy |
5 |
Qualify for Palmetto Fellows |
16 |
Qualify for LIFE |
25 |
National Merit Scholarship Finalists & Winners |
2 |
National Merit Semi-Finalists |
1 |
National Merit Commended Students |
3 |
# Dual Enrollment Credit Hours Passed |
658 |
# Community Service Hours Earned |
1103 |
ASA continues to work diligently to provide scholars access to an accelerated course of study and challenging curriculum, highly qualified faculty and staff, up-to-date classroom technology, and a supportive environment. The future of ASA is bright! The School Leadership Team and School Improvement Council look forward to building new traditions and to ensuring that ASA students enjoy and reap the benefits of a high-quality educational experience.
Martha Messick, Principal
Ms. Meg Ivey, SIC Chair