academic Achievement celebrations
the goal: Advance academic excellence through incentives
The Institute believes in incentivizing and celebrating success. Through the “Performance Bonus” initiative and Institute schools excellence and distinction programs, the Institute rewards schools that achieve academic excellence. The Institute’s annual Academic Showcase highlights these achievements and empowers school leaders to continue improving outcomes for South Carolina’s children.
Academic Performance Bonuses
During the 2026 Academic Showcase, the Institute distributed $245,000 – nearly a quarter of a million dollars – in Academic Performance Bonuses to 14 of the highest-performing schools within our portfolio based on results achieved in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Schools of Excellence Program
2024-2025 Schools of Excellence
Brashier Middle College Charter High School
Diamond School of Excellence (High School)
Top 10% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Gray Collegiate Academy
Diamond School of Excellence (Middle School)
Top 10% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Langston Charter Middle School
Diamond School of Excellence (Middle School)
Top 10% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Ascent Classical Academy Fort Mill
Platinum School of Excellence (Middle School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Belton Preparatory Academy
Platinum School of Excellence (Elementary School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Belton Preparatory Academy
Platinum School of Excellence (Middle School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Berkeley Preparatory Academy
Platinum School of Excellence (Middle School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Gray Collegiate Academy
Platinum School of Excellence (High School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Core Subjects
Libertas Academy Boiling Springs
Gold School of Excellence (Middle School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Select
Core Subjects
The Montessori School Of Camden
Gold School of Excellence (Elementary School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Select
Core Subjects
Thornwell Charter School
Gold School of Excellence (Middle School)
Top 25% of South Carolina Schools in Select
Core Subjects
Local Schools of Distinction Program
2024-2025 Local Schools of Distinction
Berkeley Preparatory Academy
Platinum School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & College/Career Readiness
Gold School of Distinction (Elementary School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Above Average Growth
Brashier Middle College Charter High School
Platinum School of Distinction (High School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & College/Career Readiness
Gray Collegiate Academy
Platinum School of Distinction (High School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & College/Career Readiness
Silver School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Average Growth
Royal Live Oaks Academy
Platinum School of Distinction (High School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & College/Career Readiness
Gold School of Distinction (Elementary School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Above Average Growth
Silver School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Average Growth
Belton Preparatory Academy
Gold School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Above Average Growth
Silver School of Distinction (Elementary School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Average Growth
Mevers School of excellence
Gold School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Above Average Growth
Thornwell Charter School
Gold School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Above Average Growth
Cherokee Charter Academy
Silver School of Distinction (Elementary School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Average Growth
Silver School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Average Growth
Langston Charter Middle School
Silver School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects & Demonstrated Average Growth
Ascent Classical Academy Fort Mill
Bronze School of Distinction (Middle School)
Outperformed Local District in Core Subjects
The Math Trailblazer Awards
This award honors exceptional progress in student math achievement through dedicated instruction and a strong commitment to accelerating learning, recognizing significant gains in math growth as measured by SC Ready.
Royal Live Oaks Academy
Elementary School Recognition
Berkeley Preparatory Academy
Middle School Recognition