High school programs for advanced students
(Click here to access the Secondary Program Guide)
The Scholars Academy
The Scholars Academy was established in 2003 through a partnership between HCS and Coastal Carolina University (CCU) to provide advanced students with more opportunities for advanced coursework in a unique learning environment. The Scholars Academy lets students accelerate their own learning based on their abilities and performance.
The Scholars Academy serves students in grades 9-12. Under the supervision of HCS administrators and teachers, students take a combination of Advanced Placement and college courses. Students who remain in the Scholars Academy for four years are able to earn as much as two years of college credit courses at the same time they are earning a high school diploma.
Students who wish to be considered for the Scholars Academy may apply during the early Spring of their eighth grade year. For more information, call 349-4117.
Advanced Placement Courses
Eligible students at each high school have the opportunity to participate in the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program. These are intense college level offerings in courses such as English, American history, biology and calculus. Offerings differ from school to school. These courses prepare students for national AP examinations. Students who score 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam are generally considered qualified to receive credit for equivalent course(s) at colleges and universities that give credit for AP exams. Students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the AP exam for that course.
Advanced Placement (AP) Online
An Advanced Placement online course is a complete curriculum taught by a fully certified teacher but delivered to students over the Internet. It meets the same criteria for course credit as traditional AP classes. Courses follow an organized and interactive approach that covers the College Board’s prescribed AP curriculum. Students take AP exams in May. Students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the AP exam for that course.
Schools may schedule students into a specific, supervised class period for AP online courses or allow them to work independently. Since online courses place a greater responsibility on the part of the student, those who register for courses should be self-motivated, disciplined, and have strong reading, writing, and technology skills. An online AP course typically requires 10 to 15 hours of class time and study per week. Contact the school’s guidance counselor for a list of available online AP courses.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
The IB diploma program is designed for highly motivated high school students for their last two years of high school. To be eligible for an IB diploma, students must pass at least one course each from these six areas; language A1, second language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, math, and the arts. In addition, students are required to take a Theory of Knowledge course, complete at least 150 documented hours of Creativity, Action, and Service, and write an extended essay of some 4000 words.
IB diploma criteria are structured to meet the entrance requirements of the most competitive universities around the world. The IB diploma program has earned worldwide recognition and credibility and is available in 100 countries. Students may take as few as one IB course or choose to pursue an IB diploma. College credit may be granted based on exam scores. Typically, IB courses meet or exceed the preparation requirements for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as well.
While IB courses are offered for students in grades 11- 12, students who plan to pursue an IB diploma need to take a prescribed series of courses in grades 9-10: (English I & II; Algebra I & II; Geometry & Pre-Calculus; Biology & Chemistry; Spanish or French I, II, III, IV; Physical Education or JROTC; Computer Applications). In addition, students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular and/or athletic programs.
The IB program is available at both Aynor and Socastee high schools. For more information, speak with your high school guidance counselor or visit www.ibo.org.
Students who attend a high school where the IB program is not available may request a transfer to attend one of the two participating schools.
Other dual credit opportunities
Program for Accelerated College Enrollment (PACE)
Horry-Georgetown Technical College offers qualified eleventh and twelfth grade students an opportunity to get a head start on college by earning university/college credits. Courses may be taken on the high school campus, through online courses, or through courses taught on one of the HGTC campuses (Conway, Grand Strand Campus in Myrtle Beach, or North Myrtle Beach off-campus site.) The student may earn dual credits (both high school and college credit). PACE courses are transferable to four-year colleges, universities, and technical colleges and are taught by fully credentialed college faculty.
For more information, contact the high school guidance counselor.
Early College High School
The Early College High School offers capable, yet underperforming, students the opportunity to complete a high school diploma and earn up to two years of college credits at the same time. Students enter the program as freshmen and attend school on the campus of Horry Georgetown Technical College. The program features advanced academics in small environments, career mentors, tuition-free college credit, and individual career and life counseling services.
The Early College High School is in its fifth year and serves 9th and 12th grade students. The Early College High School is the first of its kind in South Carolina and is a partnership between HCS, Horry Georgetown Technical College and BE2. Business Education Expectations (BE2) is a network of business and educational leaders forming to provide mentors, internships, advanced learning opportunities, and to help secure funding to help eligible students complete a four year degree.
Horry County Virtual School
The Horry County Virtual School (HCVS) is a program of HCS that enhances and expands curriculum offerings for students in grades 9-12. HCVS operates under the premises that students should have choices regarding when they study and work in our courses. In many courses, students may begin the course any week of the year and may move at their own pace through the content.
HCVS will participate in a pilot project with South Carolina Virtual School for the 2010-11 school year. HCVS will have access to more than thirty state-approved online courses. Courses will be taught by experienced teachers trained in teaching in the online environment. Online classes include: English, algebra, calculus, geometry, statistics, government, economics, science, Spanish, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, digital desktop publishing, computer applications, web design, physical education, Advanced Placement courses, fine arts, electives, and many more! For more information contact your high school counselor or call Edi Cox, director of the HCVS at 843.488.6709.
Credit Retrieval programs
High schools offer options to students who need to retrieve credits due to withdrawal from class, failure of a course, moves or transfers that occur during the semester or year, or due to unique circumstances that have made the student unable to complete course assignments. Most retrieval programs are computer-based and allow students to progress at their own pace until they show mastery over course content. Programs are facilitated by a teacher who is able to provide help to students as they progress toward course completion. See your high school guidance counselor for more information on the retrieval programs at your school.
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