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Scholars Academy

In partnership with the Cherokee County School District, Limestone’s Scholars Academy will give a limited number of academically motivated high school students the opportunity to complement their study and earn college credits while attending classes on Limestone’s campus.

The program will enable local students to take college courses and advanced high school classes over four years while still participating in extracurricular activities at their own schools.

The Scholars Academy allows top academic students from the local district to be challenged by a combination of Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses. Scholars will gradually move from self-contained classes in their first year to all dual enrollment by their senior year. Academic advisors from the district and the University will work together to help the students choose paths that lead to degree options at Limestone or transfer options to other schools.

Participants will have the prospect of earning an associate degree at Limestone while still in high school. The students will graduate with a high school diploma and a maximum of 85 college credits once the program is fully implemented. After graduating from the Scholars Academy, students can continue at Limestone University and complete their college degrees in as little as two years. They also have the option to transfer their eligible credits to another institution.

The school district’s recent application process required a 500-word essay, two academic recommendations, and a personal interview to be considered for the Scholars Academy.

Trip Hartman will serve as the Scholars Academy Principal.

For more information on the Scholars Academy, contact Trip Hartman, at james.hartman@cherokee1.org or call (864) 491-7965.

Requirements for Invitation to Apply

  • Student must be a current 8th grader and score 950+ on 8th grade PSAT
  • 8th grade student applicants will have to complete Geometry, Algebra I and English I.
  • Attend mandatory informational session.
  • Complete all steps of the application/interview process.

COURSE OFFERINGS:

High School

  • English 2,3 Honors
  • Geometry
  • Algebra 2
  • Biology Honors
  • AP Human Geography
  • AP Language/Literature
  • AP Biology
  • Pre-Calculus
  • Honors/AP Calculus
  • AP Government
  • AP Macroeconomics

Limestone University

  • ID 150
  • MA 200
  • HS 112/113
  • AR 240/MUSIC 205
  • SP 101/102/201
  • CHEM 105
  • Additional courses chosen by the student

Cherokee County Bright Scholars Promise

Limestone’s Cherokee County Bright Scholars Promise makes it possible for qualifying students to realize their dreams of earning a four-year degree TUITION FREE.  Our Academic Scholarships make enrolling as a Limestone University Day Campus student very affordable.

Scholars Academy students who graduate from the Scholars Academy with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and who submit a completed FAFSA by June 30 automatically qualify for Limestone’s “Cherokee County Bright Scholars Promise” when they enroll as a Day Campus student.

We combine all sources of scholarship and grant awards to count toward covering the student’s cost of tuition for up to 2 years!

How to Qualify

  • Graduate from the Scholars Academy with a 3.0 or higher GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Scale.
  • Submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 30 with Limestone’s School Code 003436.
  • Enroll at Limestone University as a full-time Day Campus student.

Cherokee County Bright Scholars Promise recipients will have their tuition covered in full with no out-of-pocket costs (excluding fees, books, and excluding housing and meals for students who wish to reside in campus housing).