Scholars Academy was established in 2003 through a partnership between Horry County Schools and Coastal Carolina University. The goal of the Scholars Academy is to educate top-achieving students. Students from nearby high schools in Horry County attend the program in order to complete courses of a higher academic rigor. Students take a combination of required high school classes taught by county-employed teachers, Honors and AP courses taught by county-employed teachers, and college classes taught by Coastal Carolina University professors. Students may finish the "program" with over two years of college credit while still receiving a high school diploma from their base school. This process has changed as of the 2019-2020 school year. In 2012, Horry County Schools began building a new building in cooperation with Coastal Carolina University. The new building was completed in December 2013; the first day of school in the new building was on January 6th, 2014. Students now attend most classes within this new building. In October 2019, Horry County Schools voted to separate Scholars from HCS base schools. This means that as of the 2023-2024 school year, Scholars Academy will become a separate high school.
Application and Acceptance
The entrance process consists of first sending an application. One can apply if he or she is a part of the honors or advanced curriculum at an Horry County middle school. When applying for admittance into Scholars Academy, applicants must consider factors such as the increased amount of homework, a higher level of academic rigor, and attending school with a new group of people. The Scholars Academy selects candidates for continuation to the second stage of the application process based on their written applications, PSAT scores, EXPLORE scores, MAP scores, discipline records, and more. A select few will be chosen for an interview and an essay scheduled at the main building or at the applicant's middle school. If the applicant is accepted to Scholars Academy, they are then sent an acceptance letter and asked to attend an informational meeting where they will receive a Coastal Carolina University application form, an acceptance confirmation form, and summer reading information. Before the upcoming school year, accepted students receive their schedules and supply lists in the mail along with Freshman Orientation date and time information.
Clubs and Organizations
The Scholars Academy promotes and sponsors many different clubs and organizations. The diverse nature of the student body lends itself to a variety of different groups. For example, the Biology Club is an ongoing science club that has been dedicated to bacteriophage research. The Scholars Academy publishes a yearbook each year titled The Aegis; though not a club, the yearbook staff meets during, and occasionally after, school.
As of 2010, the Scholars Academy has established its own chapter of the National Honor Society, sponsored by Christina Lambert. Its primary philanthropy focus is the Street Reach Mission of Myrtle Beach.
Students at Scholars Academy have competed in the We The People Competition after taking various history classes. Coached by Georgia Holley, the Scholars Academy has won 100% of the state competitions that they have entered, becoming the South Carolina State Champions in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2012. Holley has coached the best We The People teams in the high school's history, some winning a record of 6 out of the 6 "unit" awards at the state competition.
Biology Club
The Scholars Academy Biology Club is a community service organization devoted to exploring scientific concepts and tutoring Honors Biology students. Members of Biology Club are able to attend annual field trips, such as the 2010 trip to the United States National Whitewater Center. The club is sponsored by Mr. Ryan Carter.
Scholars Squad
The small student/teacher population at the Scholars Academy allows for a close student-teacher relationship. Students are often included in decision-making at Scholars through the elected Scholars Squad. Similar to a student government, elections are held annually to choose representatives for each grade level. The representative who wins the most votes becomes class president. As of 2019, elected representatives choose the student body president, acting in the manner of an electoral college. The president and other members of Scholars Squad organize many school activities such as spirit weeks, canned food drives, and more.
Debate Club
The Scholars Academy Debate Club is an organization devoted to fostering healthy debate and conversation among students. Students tackle topics which are of local, national, or international concern such as foreign, economic, or social policy. Debate Club encourages students to research important topics and gain a better knowledge of the world around them.
Revived in the 2012-2013 school year, the Scholars Academy Interact Club is a sub-organization of Rotary International at the high school level focusing on community service locally and abroad. The club's motto is "Service Above Self." Students are invited to participate in events like the Myrtle Beach Marathon, Relay for Life, and school-wide recycling initiatives to better the world around them.
Technology Club
Starting in the 2013-2014 school year, the Technology Club is geared toward preparing for the Horry County Schools Technology Fair. The Technology Club also holds a Game Day once a month that serves as a relaxation period from usual schoolwork where students are invited to play video games and hold tournament.
Fellowship of Christian Scholars
The Fellowship of Christian Scholars provides an environment in which Christian students at the Scholars Academy worship and learn about Biblical teaching with one another. The club allows students to participate in community service opportunities, such as local food and clothing drives. All Scholars Academy students and faculty are welcome. Meetings are during the lunch hour in Mr. McDowell's classroom.
The Creative Writing Club was formed in September 2013. It is a place for creative writers to share, discuss, and criticize works composed by students as well as published authors not necessarily studied in Scholars Academy English courses. The club is sponsored by Mrs. Venice Maxey.
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Ultimate Frisbee Club is in its sixth year at the Scholars Academy. Meetings are held Wednesdays and Fridays on the field behind Baxley. The sponsor is Mr. Shuford. The tradition of the "Pour Out" lives on dedicating to the Founding Members.
Mathematics Club
The Scholars Academy Math Club focuses on improving mathematics skills. Meetings are spent preparing for upcoming math competitions, but occasionally meetings focus on recreational mathematics. In the 2018-2019 school year, the club participated in the Pee-Dee Math Competition, winning its sixth straight, The AMC competitions, the CCU Math Competition, and the Horry County Rubik’s Cube Competition. CCU professors frequent as guest speakers at least once a year.
Sketch Club
Sketch Club is a fun and enjoyable club for anyone who loves sketching and having a great time. The club has member additions and topics to sketch each meeting and accept people of any drawing ability. Happy Sketching!!
Drama Club is a club in which, as stated in the handout given to Scholars Academy students, “is a fantastic way to join a club with your interests, while meeting other like-minded people!” Drama Club was established in the fall of 2019 that meets monthly on Tuesdays during lunch time. Activities include, as stated in the handout, “theatre exercises and games, engage in “contests,” and giv tips and tricks for auditions and everything theatre!” Honorary positions in the club include the Club Sponsor, Director, Co-Director, and Co-codirector of Drama Club.
