About Our School

THE SCHOOL

Beaufort Academy is an independent, co-educational school founded in 1965. It is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees of 10, whose members represent the various constituencies of the school, as well as the community. The school enrolls 346 students in preschool 2 through grade 12.  Beaufort Academy is a non-profit organization which admits students of all races, nationalities, creeds and socioeconomic backgrounds and is committed to diversity. Beaufort Academy offers an intimate campus environment with a strong history of working with the whole child to prepare each student for college and for life. Beaufort Academy offers its students a wide range of athletic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities.

FACULTY
The faculty of Beaufort Academy consists of 52 professional educators; 29% percent hold a Masters degree or higher. The average teaching experience of this faculty is 16 years. Average class size is 13 with a student-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

OUR MISSION

Beaufort Academy’s mission is to instill in students the intellectual curiosity and strength of character for success in all aspects of their lives. The school is committed to developing well-rounded critical thinkers that are prepared to be the problem-solvers and “Leaders of Tomorrow” within the framework of its rigorous academic environment and core values. Beaufort Academy seeks to inspire in each student a sense of responsibility to one’s self, the community, and the environment so that our students are positive contributors and leaders in the future.

 

CORE VALUES
To accomplish the above mission, Beaufort Academy instills the following five core values which give our student body a solid foundation to carry with them into the future: Intellect, Integrity, Leadership, Respect, and Pride.

 

ATHLETICS
84% of students in Grades 6-12 participate in athletics. 70% of those students participate in more than one sport. Recent athletics accomplishments include state championships in girls volleyball, soccer, boys soccer, football, boys tennis, girls tennis, boys golf, and girls basketball. Athletic teams compete in archery (co-ed), basketball (boys and girls), cheer (girls), cross country (co-ed), football (boys), golf (co-ed), soccer (boys and girls), baseball (boys), swimming (co-ed), tennis (boys and girls), and volleyball (girls).

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

As a college preparatory school, it is the school’s responsibility to prepare students in terms of study habits and critical thinking skills as well as fundamentals of core academic subject areas which will be of use in college and beyond. To that end, each student will be required to complete a minimum of 20 core courses while enrolled.  Students begin earning credits toward graduation in their 9th grade year.  Only coursework completed in grades 9-12 applies toward graduation requirements.

A minimum of 20 credits is required for graduation.
Each student will be required to complete at minimum the following core distribution:

  • English: 4 Credits  
  • Mathematics: 4 Credits (Required: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry)
  • History: 3 Credits (Required: U.S. History, and U.S. Government & Economics)
  • Science: 4 Credits (Required: Biology, Chemistry, and a third Lab Course)
  • Foreign Language: 2 Credits
  • Core Subject/AP/Electives: 3 Credits

Recommended Credits
  • Fine Arts: 1 Credit
  • PE/Health: 1 Credit

GRADING SCALE
Beaufort Academy utilizes the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy (SC UGP) which designates the quality-point range for each unweighted grade. Honors courses are weighted an additional .5 point and AP Courses are weighted an additional 1 point. Grades are assigned and GPA computed in accordance with the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy as follows:

A

B

C

D

F

90-100

80-89

70-79

60-69

59 or below

 

CLASS RANK & HONORS DIPLOMA

A class rank, based on GPA using the SC UGP, is assigned to all upper school students at the end of each academic year beginning in grade 9, with the exception of transfer students who will be assigned a class rank after completion of their second consecutive year at Beaufort Academy. The school recognizes a valedictorian, salutatorian, and third honor graduate at its Commencement Ceremony. Students must earn an Honors Diploma and attend Beaufort Academy for their final two consecutive years in order to be eligible for the above designations. An Honors Diploma is awarded to graduating seniors who have successfully completed at least eight courses designated as honors or advanced placement and have a 4.0 GPA or higher. 

 

LEADERSHIP
Leadership principles are infused into Beaufort Academy's core class curriculum
starting in kindergarten progressing through grade 12. Self-management concepts
such as critical thinking, collaboration and visioning combined with an exploration of
human development, information processing and collaboration help provide a
foundation for understanding and implementing leadership skills and models.


COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE RECORD

100% of our graduates are accepted by four-year colleges and universities.

In each of the last five years students have received combined college scholarship offers in excess of $4,600,000 per year, including a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, Heritage Scholars, Rotary Scholarships, Kiwanis Scholarships, Palmetto Fellows and South Carolina LIFE Scholarships. More than 75% of our Upper School students participate in school enrichment programs including interscholastic athletics, drama productions, chess club, quiz bowl, music programs and Interact.

Recent graduates have been offered admission to the following colleges and universities.
Colleges in bold indicate matriculation for the Class of 2024.

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ADMINISTRATION

ACCREDITATION
Beaufort Academy is accredited by AdvancedED Accreditation Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is a member of the following organizations:

  • The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
  • The Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
  • The South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA)
  • The National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC)
  • The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission onColleges (SACSCOC)
  • The Southern Association of College Admission Counselors (SACAC)
  • The Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (CACRO)
ACCREDITATION
  • Certification that a school meets all formal official requirements of academic excellence, curriculum, facilities, etc.
 
SAIS ACCREDITATION:
  • Verification that a school understands its past, present, and future and is absolutely committed to its mission and its growth mindset.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Admission decisions are individually determined and are based upon students' academic records, assessment scores, and personal interviews. The number of students and other characteristics of a particular class are also considered in making admissions decisions. Click here for admissions information.

FINANCIAL AID
Beaufort Academy is strongly committed to seeking diversity within its student body and providing access to a BA education for deserving students regardless of financial circumstances. We therefore provide assistance to qualified students who demonstrate academic promise and financial need. Roughly 37% of our students receive some form of need-based financial aid each year. Click here for financial aid information.
 

LEARNING SERVICES AT BEAUFORT ACADEMY
While all students complete the same rigorous curriculum, we recognize some students with distinctive learning styles may need a few additional services in order to fully engage in a meaningful learning process, effectively utilize the best components of their distinctive learning styles, and productively pursue BA’s curriculum. Such services may be accessed through our learnings services department. 

To learn more about learning services at BA, click here. 

NOTE: Beaufort Academy does not create or accept Individual Educational Plans “IEPs” or other documents mandating special education plans.