At University School of the Lowcountry, our students have the opportunity to demonstrate their academic knowledge beyond the walls of our classrooms through a variety of competitions. Competing both challenges our students and helps them build confidence in their abilities.
SCISA Competitions
University School of the Lowcountry is a member of the South Carolina Independent School Association, which affords us the opportunity to compete against other independent schools locally and at the state level. We participate in competitions at both the middle school and upper school levels.
SCISA Math Meets
Math Meets occur at the state level and include several different rounds of competition. Students compete both as a team and for individual honors. We have enjoyed much success at these competitions, which we attribute to our individualized approach to teaching math.
For example, our students take classes at the level that best matches their abilities, so our 8th graders often take Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Our high school students do the same with Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Trigonometry. No other school in the state does this, giving us a significant competitive edge.
You can read more about our past Math Meet experiences on our blog.
Middle School Results
2013: 1st place
2014: 2nd place
2015: 1st place
2016: 1st place
Upper School Results
2015 (1st year competing): 4th place team
2016: 2nd place team & Top 3 Individual Scorer
SCISA Quiz Bowls
Quiz Bowl competitions occur in two phases–regional competition and state competition, testing our students’ knowledge on a variety of subject matter from history to science and everything in between. Our teams compete against other nearby schools, and the winner advances to the state competition.
Middle School Results
2014-2015: 1st place (Region), 2nd place (State)
2016-2017: 1st place (Region), 2nd place (State)
Upper School Results
2015-2016 (1st year competing): 1st place (Region)
2016-2017: 2nd place (Region)
SCISA Chess Competition
For the first time in 2017, we sent a team of 3rd-8th graders to participate in this competition. Our team garnered 4th place overall, and Dylan Brockman earned 1st place in the Individual Middle School Chess Competition.
Scholastic Art & Writing Competition
Each year, the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers partners with nearly 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards to local communities. Students in grades 7–12 apply in 29 categories of art and writing. Last year, students submitted nearly 320,000 works of art and writing to the Scholastic Awards.
Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.
Students receiving Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Visions & Voices Nominations are celebrated within their communities through local exhibitions and ceremonies. Gold Key works are then judged nationally by an impressive panel of creative–industry experts to receive National Medals, including Gold, Silver, American Visions & Voices, Portfolio Silver with Distinction or Portfolio Gold Medals and Sponsored Awards. National Medalist are recognized in part at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
At University School of the Lowcountry, it is our practice and belief to have all of our eligible students take part in this competition. Our talented and driven group of learners have been inspired and guided to become better and more confident writers by their devoted teachers — success that has been recognized by the Scholastic Writing Awards!
You can read more about our results from the 2015-2016 competition on our blog.
National Spanish Exam
In April of 2018, our students will participate for the first time in the National Spanish Exam. Sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), the exam will allow students to see how they compare to students of all levels locally, within the state, and nationally.