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LOWCOUNTRY OFFERS TOP-QUALITY LEARNING

by Anthem Media Group

The Lowcountry is teeming with fantastic education options, with some of the best schools in the country. Our area includes private, public, and higher-education institutions that prepare its students to succeed.

Our private schools annually are ranked among the top in the state and our colleges, with undergraduate and graduate programs, attract students from around the country and the world.

The Beaufort County School District educates nearly 22,000 students in 40 schools, offering pre-K through Grade 12 classes. With state-of-the-art facilities and campsues, the schools also offer high-level athletic programs and extracurricular activities. Education is a top priority in the Lowcountry. Here are some of the area’s finest institutions.

PUBLIC SCHOOL:

Beaufort County Public School District

Type: Public Grades: Pre-K-12, Adult Ed Student population: 21,500 Website: beaufortschools.net

At the Beaufort County School District, academic excellence and student success is at the forefront of everything it does. With three of its high schools ranked in South Carolina’s Top 35 by U.S. News and World Report magazine, and all six ranked in the state’s top half, the district has a proven track record of achievement. Under the leadership of Superintendent Frank Rodriguez, student literacy test scores on state assessments are the highest in the district’s history. With more than 3,000 employees, it is one of the largest employers in the county. The school district believes in fostering a collaborative environment that supports and nurtures the potential of every student.

The district has a wide span of offerings, from the highest academic courses for college credit to career and technical education programming so students can earn industry certifications to support their career aspirations. Through its dual enrollment partnerships with Technical College of the Lowcountry and the University of South Carolina Beaufort, students can participate in college-level courses while still in high school. In the 202223 academic year, the district had more than 700 student enrollments in dual enrollment classes, preparing them for the rigors of college and beyond.

BLUFFTON PRIVATE SCHOOLS:

Cross Schools

Type: Private

Grades: Pre school-12th Website: crossschools.org

Cross Schools inspires future leaders to grow spiritually and academically by “intentionally designing opportunities for inquisitive learning and active service all for the glory of God.” Small classes, rigorous academics, various enrichment courses, community service, athletics, and faith-based learning help prepare the children to grow into collaborative thinkers with moral and spiritual principles.

Hilton Head Christian Academy

Type: Private

Grades: Kindergarten to 12th Student Population: 630 Website: hhca.org

HHCA will welcome more than 630 students to its state-of-the-art K-12 Bluffton campus with the start of the new school year — a record-high enrollment in the school’s 44-year history. HHCA’s innovative campus, which opened in Bluffton in 2021 and serves families from all over the Lowcountry, boasts a 95% retention rate.

HHCA’s inquiry-based learning model focuses on outcomes that matter, a culture that empowers, teaching that engages, and technology that enables — in a distinctively Christian environment. Students have the opportunity for deeper learning through practical application, giving them real-world experience that prepares them for future success in their desired field.

HHCA has a guidance team with a proven history of preparing students for college, career, and life. One hundred percent of students who apply to college are accepted, and over 90% earn merit-based scholarships. Ranked among the top private K-12 schools in South Carolina and voted the No. 1 K-12 school in Bluffton, HHCA offers awardwinning fine arts programs and athletic teams.