University School of the Lowcountry exists to create well-rounded citizens who excel both inside and outside of the classroom. Likewise, we aim to continue building a learning environment that puts our students first and foremost every day by offering opportunities for our faculty & staff to grow as professionals.
ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP)
This is a program that offers state-level recognition for 7th graders scoring better than 50% of the nation’s high school juniors & seniors on at least one part of the SAT.
- Since our founding, over 40% of our participants have been recognized.
- During the 2014-2015 academic year and for the 2nd time in our school’s history, seven of our 7th grade students qualified for recognition. This number is the same or more than any school, public or private, in South Carolina.
Scholastic Art & Writing Competion
This is a competition for 7th-12th graders. Our students participate with initial entries to the Southeast Region for judging, typically among tens of thousands of other works.
2016-2017 Highlights
- USL students entered over 100 works of fiction, nonfiction, personal memoir, and poetry, 59 of which received awards.
- 79% of USL students received an award; 90% of our 8th graders garnered an award in 7th or 8th grade
- 12 works were honored with Gold Keys, moving them forward to the national competition.
- 2 works were honored at the national level, earning a Silver Medal & a Silver Medal with Distinction
South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Competitions
SCISA is a non-profit membership association comprised of over 100 independent schools from across the state. They organize a number of academic competitions throughout the year in which we encourage our students to participate.
2016-2017 Highlights:
- 1st Place Middle School Math Meet
- 2nd Place Middle School Quiz Bowl
- 1st Place Individual Middle School Chess Competition: Dylan Brockman
- 4th Place Team Chess Competition
Stanford Achievement Test
Our students’ take the Stanford Achievement Test annually, and the results are linked to each student’s performance on the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT). This allows us to produce achievement test comparisons of USL students with other students of equivalent ability. Most USL students score 3-4 levels higher than their grade and outperform their ability peer group.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Accreditation
University School is accredited by the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) (initial accreditation in 2008 and reaccredited in 2011 and 2014). USL also intends to earn Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) accreditation.
Darkness to Light’s Partner in Prevention
USL has been awarded Darkness to Light’s Partner in Prevention distinction every year since 2011. We were part of the inaugural class for this, and it honors our commitment to the prevention of child sexual abuse and to helping children grow up healthy and whole. USL faculty is trained in Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children program every August, and all parent volunteers for overnight trips take the same program and have their backgrounds checked.
Memberships
Association for Experiential Education
Independent School Management Consortium
National Business Officers Association
Palmetto Association of Independent Schools
S.C. Association of NonProfit Organizations
South Carolina Independent School Association