I am pleased to present the 2023-2024 State Report Card for HCS Scholars Academy High School, a summary of progress in upholding our commitment that all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. 

During the 2023-2024 school year, HCS Scholars Academy High School entered its fourth year as a “stand alone” high school with the admittance of 57 students in the 9th grade and 181 students continuing in the 10th--12th grades.  

For the past 20 years, the HCS Scholars Academy has operated as a high school program.  Scholars Academy students were officially enrolled in a high school based on their attendance zone.  All student testing data was reported to base high schools.  Beginning with the Class of 2024, all testing information remained in-house.  This year’s ninth, and tenth grade classes completed EOC exams in Biology (100% passing rate), English 2 (100% passing rate), US History (100% passing rate), and successfully completed over 500 dual enrollment credit hours at Coastal Carolina University with an average college GPA of 3.85. Students successfully completed Advanced Placement (AP) classes in 14 courses with a passage rate of 98% of exams taken. Students also took the PSAT exam with an average score of 1374, well above the national average of 920. HCS Scholars Academy celebrated its first graduation with 35 students in the Class of 2024.  

Scholars Academy students (grades 9-12) completed over 4500 community service hours assisting in book drives, tutoring sessions for younger students, beach sweeps, and other activities where students actively worked with others to make our community a better place. The following 13 students were named National Merit Finalists: 

Christian Benz          Isabella Benz          Joe Bornfreund          Jason Dong           Morgan Freiler         Aidan Hayes            Emilio Mendoza        Jacob Mijalli                      Alli Satterfield           Brea Stone               Trent Toole                Makaila Tucker          Andy Xu

The HCS Scholars Academy average SAT score for the Class of 2024 was 1450, and average ACT score was 27 with all graduating students being accepted to a four-year college/university including in-state and out-of-state public and private universities and honors colleges as well as Ivy League schools. Students were accepted to University of South Carolina, Clemson University, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina University, Furman University, Wofford College, Cornell University, Duke University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Georgia and others.  The Class of 2024 received more than 7.7 million dollars in scholarship monies offered for 35 graduating seniors. Three seniors were named QuestBridge Scholars and will be attending MIT, Brown University, and Oberlin College.    

We offer a special thank you to Horry County Schools and Coastal Carolina University who worked in conjunction to support our students and provide advanced academic opportunities for students at HCS Scholars Academy. 

Norman McQueen, Principal

Trena Kirby, SIC Chair