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PSA Ranked #1 Charter School in S.C.

Palmetto Scholars Academy is proud to announce that US News and World Report has ranked our high school #1 among all Charter High Schools in South Carolina and #4 among all high schools in the state!

The US News and World Report evaluated nearly 17,660 schools nationwide on six essential factors, including their performance on state assessments and their ability to prepare students for college. This accolade is a tremendous testament to PSA's commitment to academic excellence and student success. Palmetto Scholars Academy continues to set the standard for excellence in education, offering a rigorous curriculum, a supportive learning environment, and opportunities for students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Mission & Philosophy

Palmetto Scholars Academy (PSA) is a public charter school designed to discover, nurture, and optimize the full potential of intellectually gifted 6th-12th grade students.

Located in North Charleston, SC, Palmetto Scholars Academy is a Charter day school for gifted students. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.

News & Announcements

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1.24.25 PSA Friday Notes to Families

January 24, 2025

I hope you’ve been able to enjoy some fun in the snow with your family this week during our unprecedented winter weather! Thank you for quickly pivoting with us to e-learning in an effort to preserve our academic calendar.

School Choice Expo - Please join us for our inaugural School Choice Expo #KidsFirst on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The expo will take place from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the North Charleston Sports Complex, located at 1455 Monitor Street in North Charleston. This is a special chance to learn more about several charter schools in your area and the opportunities we offer for students and families. Charter schools are free, public K-12 schools and are now enrolling for the 2025-2026 school year. Free lunch and entertainment provided by our area schools, We look forward to meeting you and your families! https://www.facebook.com/share/14iWyTeA1p/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Report Cards - Due to weather delays, report cards will go home with students Monday January 27th. Please check with your student and talk with them about their current progress.

Graduation planning - PSA will hold graduation at Northwoods Baptist Church this year on May 23, 2025 at 3:30pm. Please watch the Friday notes for more information in the coming weeks.

Community service logs - Thank you for utilizing the following links to upload completed community service for the 24-25 school year. Student community service upload Parent community service upload

Counselors Corner - Check the PSA website for scholarship opportunities and updates to the counseling page.

Prom - The 2025 Senior/Junior Prom is just a bit over 10 weeks away. We have secured the location (King's Grant), the DJ, a photo booth, a 360 camera, and the Roushdie's have generously offered to supply some of the food.

Attached are the links for the prom Amazon Wish List for decorations and a Sign-Up Genius for additional food and drinks. If you could please take a look at these lists and consider a donation, it would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, Ms. Heisler will be sending out another request for parents to help decorate the venue on the morning of the prom.

If you have any questions, please contact Donna.Heisler@psaschool.org. Thank you for your help to make this a special night for your child.

Upcoming LEAP day - January 31st is our next LEAP day schedule. Please support mission design by participating in the fundraising barbeque.

Yearbooks - January 31 is the last day to place your student's Tribute Ad in this year’s yearbook. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase and highlight your student. You can order at https://jostensadservice.com?REF=A2049224. After this deadline, we will not be able to accept any additional tributes in this year’s yearbook. Also, don't forget to go to jostens.com and order a yearbook!

Athletic Update - Our game vs. Baptist Hill has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 27th for JV Boys & Varsity Boys @ Baptist Hill. JV Boys tipoff at 5:00 & Varsity boys at 6:15 pm.

Cross HS (Home) game has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Feb. 4th with JV Boys and Varsity Boys. Tipoff is set for JV Boys at 5:00 & V Boys at 6:15 pm. Our game with St. John's HS from 1-24 has not been rescheduled yet.

Please continue to check the Athletic Newsletter weekly for all our upcoming games/practices and updates for Spring Sports.

Mark your calendars:

February 5 - Half day for students Seat time opportunity- students must bring a LUNCH!

February 15 - Intent to Return form Due date

May 23 - Graduation at Northwoods Baptist 3:30pm

PSA Parent/Student handbook.

This is the last of my Friday letters to families as today is my final day serving as Principal at PSA. It has been a privilege to serve the PSA community this year and I will cherish my memories of this wonderful school. I am excited for the future of PSA under Mr. Reyes’ inspiring leadership and look forward to hearing about the fantastic work that the PSA board, staff and students accomplish together in the coming years.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kimberly Zerbst

Principal, Palmetto Scholars Academy

1/24/25 Inclement Weather Update

January 23, 2025

Good afternoon PSA families!

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston, potential record breaking low temperatures are likely to result in icy conditions Friday January 24, 2025.

PSA will shift to e-learning and remote work Friday January 24. Our school building will be closed Friday January 24th through Sunday January 26th. Your child’s teacher will provide specific instructions to continue with e-learning.

Dr. Kimberly Zerbst

Principal, Palmetto Scholars Academy

1.17.25 PSA Letter to Families

January 17, 2025

We are off to a great start for semester two at PSA! Thank you for reading and attending to these items below.

Front office reminders - Student food deliveries are prohibited at PSA, thank you for your help with remaining consistent with this expectation!

The cut off time for student pick-ups is 2:45 daily. Please arrange schedules accordingly.

Powerschool security breach - We encourage all families to access the information provided by Powerschool about their security breach at this link. This site will be updated regularly as new data becomes available.

Prom planning - The PSA Senior/Junior Prom will be held at Kings Grant Clubhouse on Saturday, April 5th. More information to follow.

Community service logs - Please utilize the following links to upload completed community service for the 24-25 school year. Student community service upload Parent community service upload

Counselors Corner - The deadline to request Spring Virtual SC courses is next Wednesday, January 22. Any students needing Personal Health or Personal Finance should create an account and submit their requests as soon as possible. Students wishing to take any other courses besides Personal Health and Personal Finance should contact Ms. Widener via email.

Also regarding Senior transcripts:

Semester 1 has ended and we are moving forward into Semester 2. Grades for Semester 1 will be storing next week, and updated transcripts should be available by the end of the week. For Seniors needing midyear transcripts sent to colleges, please contact Ms. Widener only if you did not apply through Common App. Any applications submitted through Common App will have midyear reports automatically uploaded by January 31.

Yearbooks - PSA's Yearbook team has been hard at work putting together a great collection of memories. Don't let your student miss out! Only a few more weeks are left to order your copy. Yearbooks can be purchased at jostens.com.

NHS Tutoring available - National Honors Society is hosting tutoring during school hours for all students. They can be tutored during their study hall or class period with permission from their teacher. Tutors and students will be paired based on available dates and subjects. If you would like to be a tutor or require tutoring, please fill out the corresponding form.

Athletic Update - Spring Sports is quickly approaching. Tryouts will begin on Monday, Feb. 3rd for Baseball, Soccer (Girls & Boys), and Softball grades 7-12. Please make sure you have physicals completed and all other documents completed in BigTeams. All forms can be found on BigTeams in the Athletic Newsletter.

Please continue to check the Athletic Newsletter weekly for all our upcoming games/practices and updates for Spring Sports.

Mark your calendars:

February 5 - Half day for students Seat time opportunity

February 15 - Intent to Return form Due date

PSA Parent/Student handbook.

From the students, staff, and administration of PSA, “Thank you for all your support!”

Sincerely, Dr. Kimberly Zerbst Principal, Palmetto Scholars Academy

2024-25 PSA Student/Parent Handbook

July 21, 2024

Click to link to the 2024-25 PSA Student/Parent Handbook.

1/20/25 Inclement Weather Update

January 20, 2025

nclement weather update 1/21 & 1/22/25

Good Morning PSA Families and Staff,

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston, snow and freezing rain are anticipated to begin on Tuesday between 4 PM and 7 PM, with the most significant impacts expected Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Temperatures are predicted to be in the 30s, with lows dropping into the lower 20s.

To prioritize safety while minimizing disruptions, schools will operate on a two-hour early dismissal schedule on Tuesday, January 21. Students will need to be picked up from school by 1:15pm to allow staff to safely exit and return home before the full impacts of the storm. All after school activities are canceled for January 21 and 22. Please see the PSA website for the most current updates regarding away games. All PSA sports practices are cancelled for 1/21 and 1/22.

Looking ahead to Wednesday, January 22, the school will shift to eLearning and remote work. PSA will be closed for the day. Your child’s teacher will provide specific instructions for each class period to ensure a smooth transition to eLearning, including access to necessary materials and resources.

Students are asked to take chromebooks, chargers, books and learning materials home on Tuesday to prepare to continue learning during our e-learning day on Wednesday.

Please stay safe and don't hesitate to reach out with questions as they arise.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kimberly Zerbst

Principal, PSA

1.10.25 PSA Letter to Families

January 10, 2025

January 10, 2024

Welcome to the new year at PSA!

Phone Policy update - We are so grateful for the cooperation and assistance that families and students have provided as we seek to be in compliance with the new SC regulations regarding electronic devices in schools. Some of the initial benefits noted by teachers include: student hallway transition time is remarkably quicker, and students are gathering in groups to talk before school and during lunch rather than remaining isolated. One teacher reported, “It was amazing! During the lesson every student was paying attention and engaging with the material instead of trying to sneak a peek at their phones.” During our first week of implementation we were able to exit and unlock pouches for all students at the end of the day in about five minutes, making exit times right on par with normal. Thank you for your help with this ongoing process, we believe it is going to reap genuine benefits both educationally and socially for our students

Powerschool security breach - As you may have heard in the news, Powerschool experienced a security breach on January 7, 2025 that impacted schools across the state. Please read the letter provided to the SC Department of Education from Powerschool linked here.

Community service logs - Please utilize the following links to upload completed community service for the 24-25 school year. Student community service upload Parent community service upload

Counselors Corner - Be sure to check the school counseling website regularly for important updates, upcoming events/opportunities, and scholarship information.

Seat Time Makeup - We had a large number of students complete seat time on 1/6/25. Our next seat time makeup day is scheduled for February 5 following school on the half day. If your student is coming in for seat time makeup please send them with a packed lunch. PSA does not provide lunches on seat time makeup days.

Please continue to check the Athletic Newsletter weekly for all our upcoming games/practices and updates for Spring Sports.

Mark your calendars:

Virtual SC Important Dates:

January 8: Registration opens for 11th/12th grade students
January 15: Registration opens for 10th/9th grade students
January 22: Registration closes
January 29: First day of Spring classes
April 29: Last day of Spring classes
April 30-May 6: Final exam window (PSA schedule will be shared later in the semester)

TTC Dual Enrollment Dates:

January 13: Spring 1 and full Spring classes begin
January 15: Last day to register for Spring 1 courses
January 17: Last day to register for full Spring courses
January 22: Last day to drop Spring 1 or full Spring courses without penalty
March 3: Last day to withdraw from Spring 1 courses (WITH penalty); Last day of Spring 1 term
March 10: Spring 2 classes begin
March 12: Last day to register for Spring 2 courses
March 18: Last day to drop Spring 2 courses without penalty
April 27: Last day to withdraw from Spring 2 or full Spring courses (WITH penalty); Last day of Spring 2 and full Spring terms