Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by pursuing our mission to unleash potential, cultivate aspirations, and graduate students who are career-focused, college-ready, and invested in the community.

Polaris Tech is a school that offers a hands-on, problem-based, individualized education where each student works at their own pace and according to their own learning style. Polaris Tech focuses on using technology and innovative education techniques to guide students toward a successful future. Our school’s vision is to be innovative; allowing students to explore their interests authentically and collaboratively, applying skills and knowledge in and out of the classroom.

In 2020-2021, the school expanded to grades 5-12 and further affirmed our foundational belief in the potential of our students and gave rise to discoveries about the power of our approach to meet children where they are in their learning journey. 

Highlights of our third year include:

• Developed operational policies and procedures to support the implementation of grades K-5 & 12.

• The school became a member of the New Tech Network (NTN), which allowed for the implementation of a new learner management system (LMS) called Echo. 

• The school graduated its first-ever senior class.

• NTN allows for diversity in grading. PTCS implemented the Agency, Collaboration, Knowledge and Thinking, Oral and Written Communication competencies at all grade levels in every course, which will provide a long-term solution to grow learners in those key competencies over their time at Polaris.

• The school introduced six new PLTW courses that align with our learning pathways: Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, Introduction to Engineering, and Principles of Engineering.

• We are linking with local and regional industries to help introduce them to our Polaris Tech approach to learning and introduce our middle and high school learners to key employers in South Carolina.

Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, our learners were virtual, hybrid, and full-time face-to-face. The dedication of our staff, learners, and families was key to the success experienced. Our state-of-the-art technology infrastructure and 1:1 learner computing devices were instrumental in providing support for our families. Our learning management system provided tools that are specifically aligned to support innovative teaching practices in and outside of school. The instructional design supported deeper, more personalized strategies like project-based learning. 

As we navigate through these challenging times, we remain committed to providing the absolute best educational experience for our learners.