
Photo: Scholars Academy High School
Investigative News for South Carolina and the World
Photo: Scholars Academy High School
Coastal Carolina University (CCU) has come a long way from its modest beginnings in 1954 as a small junior college nestled in the heart of Conway, South Carolina. Over the decades, it grew not just in size but in stature, developing a reputation that would eventually stretch across the nation.
Today, CCU is a hub of academic excellence, athletic prowess, and community engagement—a place where students not only learn but thrive. And in 2024, the university achieved yet another crowning achievement: Horry County Schools’ Scholars Academy, hosted on the CCU campus, was ranked the No. 1 high school in the state of South Carolina.
It’s no surprise to those familiar with the university’s path that CCU has become an incubator for top talent. The Scholars Academy, a unique partnership between Horry County Schools and CCU, allows high-achieving high school students to take college courses while still completing their high school studies. This arrangement benefits everyone involved, as these students gain a rigorous education while contributing to the campus’s vibrant intellectual life.
Scholars Academy students walk the same pathways as college students, studying in classrooms, attending lectures, and pushing themselves academically in the supportive, challenging environment CCU is known for. This year’s No. 1 ranking highlighted the quality of this educational model, shining a spotlight on the hard work of the Scholars Academy students and faculty, as well as the broader CCU community.
But the story of Coastal Carolina’s excellence doesn’t stop there. The university’s five colleges—Wall College of Business, Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences, Gupta College of Science, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts, and the HTC Honors College and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies—offer students more than 90 degree programs.
Students come to Coastal Carolina from across the U.S. and beyond to major in fields like business, education, communication, and the sciences. Perhaps most notably, the university’s marine science program has gained a reputation as one of the best in the Southeast, allowing students to study marine life and ecosystems just a short distance from the coastline. With research opportunities at their fingertips, students in the marine science program work with experienced faculty and frequently publish their findings, gaining experience and recognition that serves them well after graduation.
The university’s impact on the community has been immeasurable. In particular, the Scholars Academy has demonstrated how a partnership between a university and a school district can elevate educational standards for high school students. Scholars Academy’s No. 1 ranking in the state is a testament to the vision, commitment, and resilience that CCU has fostered over the years. It’s a celebration not only of the students who walk the halls but of the university’s enduring commitment to innovation and quality education.
This victory for Scholars Academy is also a victory for Coastal Carolina University, an institution that has always valued the potential within each student. As CCU moves forward, it remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing minds, challenging boundaries, and fostering a legacy of excellence. And as the Chanticleers look toward the future, they do so with the confidence and pride of knowing they are not just a university on the rise but a community making a lasting impact in South Carolina and beyond.
Connect with Crime and Cask:
Stay updated with Crime and Cask News latest investigations, book releases, and appearances by following him on social media. Join the growing community of readers and true crime enthusiasts who trust Crime and Cask for his insightful analysis and gripping storytelling.
Over 1,000,000 Million likes of Tiktok alone!
Social Media: