Academics » Upper School

Upper School

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.

The rigorous leadership inspired curriculum provides opportunities for honors and advanced placement courses as well as a wide range of elective courses. Beaufort Academy is dedicated to the expectation that graduates be able to read and write as critical thinkers, with writing skills that are concise, expressive, analytical and persuasive. The use of the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing model is continued from the middle grades through eleventh grade. Graduates are expected to be solid oral communicators as well, and to be active listeners who recognize the value of observation and serious use of both logic and creativity.

At Beaufort Academy, a full time college placement counselor guides Upper School students and their parents through the college application process. 100% of Beaufort Academy graduates matriculate to four-year colleges and universities.

LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM
Beaufort Academy’s leadership inspired curriculum is interwoven with concepts such as self-awareness, critical thinking, collaboration and visioning.  Along with other self-management concepts, these principles are integrated into the curriculum of core classes starting in kindergarten and progressing through 12th grade.  Combined with an exploration of human development, information processing and collaborative functioning, the goal is to help students develop both an understanding and working knowledge of human interaction.  These courses are designed to provide a foundation for understanding and implementing leadership skills and models. Beginning in the 9th grade, students take the following leadership curriculum honors credit bearing courses:
  • Communication and Leadership  - 9th
  • Survey of Leadership  - 10th
  • Models of Leadership - 11th
  • Internship Week -  11th/12th   (not offered due to COVID-19)
 
 
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 in the Upper School. Students begin earning credits toward graduation in their 9th grade year. 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 I, Algebra II, Geometry)
  • History: 3 Credits (Required: Government & Economics and U.S. History)
  • Science: 3 Credits (Required: Biology, Chemistry, and a third Lab Course)
  • Foreign Language: 3 Credits
  • Core Subject/AP: 3 Credits
Recommended Credits
  • Fine Arts: 1 Credit
  • Leadership: 3 Credits
 
HONORS DIPLOMA & CLASS RANK
The Honors Diploma is awarded to graduating seniors who have successfully completed at least six courses designated as honors or advanced placement while attending Beaufort Academy. Only students who have earned the Honors Diploma are eligible for recognition as Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and/or Third Honor Graduate. Also, eligibility for these honor designations requires that a student must attend Beaufort Academy for two consecutive years in order to receive any of the above recognitions; furthermore, a class rank will be assigned to a transfer student after completion of his/her second consecutive year of Upper School.
 
To enable transfer students to meet typical graduation requirements, schedules will be created on a case-by-case basis, determined by previous courses taken and any relevant placement tests. However, due to the differences in quality of instruction, curriculum, and course weighting that exist from school to school, Beaufort Academy does not include any course taken at other institutions on the official transcript nor will these courses count in the computation of the student’s GPA. In addition, no course taken in the Middle School at Beaufort Academy or elsewhere will appear on the student’s Upper School transcript, be counted toward Upper School graduation requirements, nor computed in the Upper School student’s GPA. Certain courses taken in Middle School, in conjunction with grades received and assessment testing, can be used in determining Upper School placement levels.

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE RECORD

Recent graduates have been offered admission to the following colleges and universities.
Colleges in bold indicate matriculation for the Class of 2021.
sp

cc
UPPER SCHOOL DIVISION DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SERVICES

DID YOU KNOW?

  • 100% of our graduates have been accepted by four-year colleges and universities.

  • In each of the last five years students have received combined college scholarship offers in excess of $2,850,000 per year, including 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.


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.