Mount Pleasant Magazine July/August 2019

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CISD 186 In 2018, Academic Magnet’s 162 graduates together earned more than $13 million in scholarships, as well as seven National Merit finalists. The U.S. News & World Report rankings, following a review of more than 23,000 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, were based on six criteria: college readiness; college curriculum breadth; math and reading proficiency; math and reading performance; the performance of black, Hispanic and low-income students; and graduation rates. Established in 1988 and in its current location on West Enterprise Street in North Charleston for the past 12 years, Academic Magnet High School’s student body is expected to grow from 650 to 700 next year. The majority of students attend the school for four years, though they can be admitted in their sophomore or junior year if there is space, according to Spencer. Most AMHS students live in Charleston County, but, if they own at least $300 of real property in Charleston County, they can pay tuition and attend AMHS. Spencer said 600 to 700 teens apply to Academic Magnet each year, with fewer than 200 being admitted. One major challenge Spencer faces is establishing racial diversity at the school. Currently, 22% of the students are minorities, but only 7% are African Americans — in a district that is around 40% black. With the help of a $100,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which “is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need,” AMHS is aggressively seeking talented students from minority and low-income families. “We’re getting the word out to the African American and Latino communities,” said Spencer. “We’re telling them what it means to come to Academic Magnet. The payoff is huge. You get into the college of your choice.” Prior to taking a position at Academic Magnet, Spencer was the principal of private international schools in Egypt and Mexico. She pointed out that both of them were ranked as the best schools in the country. A West Virginia native, she also has served the world of education in Greenville, Beaufort County and Oregon. She pointed out that Academic Magnet’s motto, established by students, is Eruditio et Honor, which translates from Latin to mean “Scholarship and Honor.” Micheline Callicott/Piwakawaka Photo. Photo by Jess Wood. 1039 Hwy. 41, Suite 500 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 843.971.1993 drtaragriffin.com P reventative D entistry i mPlant D entistry C osmetiC s erviCes r estorative D entistry D ental s avings P rogram