Palmetto Scholars Academy students rise to the challenge

Palmetto Scholars Academy, located on the old Navy base is in it's second year. It's the state's first gifted and talented charter school, with 238 students, a school that offers a unique curriculum to challenge students. We head to North Charleston for our Cool School of the week.

They're a small school, but they pack a big punch. Palmetto Scholars Academy, a public charter school, was formed by a group of parents and educators, who wanted a unique educational experience for gifted and talented students. They opened the doors in 2010. Assistant principal Marlene Baber says, "We couldn't make it without parent and community involvement."

Right now, they do not have the latest technology like other schools, no smart boards, no library yet. Despite funding issue, what they do have, speaks volumes, young eager minds, hungry for a new challenge. Baber says,"From student competitions, all the way up to student achievement and academics, we excelled in everything." The curriculum is geared toward gifted and talented students with a focus on problem solving. Baber says, "What makes us really cool, the kids are involved in designing those programs. Students are involved in everything from dress code to deciding when dances are, to some curriculum decisions as well."

Eighth grade student Rebecca Roberts says, "We do a lot more discussions than lectures and that's good so you're more involved. It's easier to pay attention." Ninth grade student Jalisa Decker says, "I love it.  It's like you can be yourself, and you learn so much more."

School leaders say the goal is to create global leaders, who are way ahead of the pack. Melissa Venters is a social studies teacher and director of student activities. She says, "We are trying to challenge them to think on a higher level, and actually apply those facts, apply that information to real world events, real word problems, real world connections and making it relevant to them."

So what makes Palmetto Scholars Academy cool?  Rebecca Roberts says, "The teachers because they're easy to talk to and they're fun." 

Eighth grade student William Bryant says, "It's always different from any other school. We have an open voice. We have a very different curriculum and we have a very awesome faculty."

Jalisa Decker says, "It's a cool school because it's the environment and the learning. You can learn so much more and the people are just nice and you can be yourself and the teachers are amazing. You can talk to them about anything." 

Seventh grader Alexcia Johnson says, "We are more of a close knit family then actual school. The learning is the icing on the cake. We can just come here and just be our selves. When we come here. We're looking forward to something every morning."

Melissa Venters says, "it's a caring and compassionate environment for them where they feel comfortable to excel and be unique to challenge themselves. Every teacher knows every student, and we have a very close relationship."

The school has a Cognetics Problem Solvers group, an inventive program for students. Palmetto Scholars Academy is the first school outside of the New England area to participate.

The school is working to get a library, and they're looking for business partners.

We want to hear about the good things that are going on at your school. Send an email to Octavia at omitchell@wcbd.com and tell us all about it. You can also find a link to nominate your school on our Cool School page as well. Maybe your school will be the next Cool School of the week.