SC Whitmore School (SCWS), a virtual public high school and member school of the SC Public Charter School District, was named the 2024 Best Charter School by the Post and Courier’s Free Times. The Best of Columbia contest was founded in 1989, making it the longest-running and most prestigious readers’ choice contest in the Midlands. Over 300,000 votes were cast during the 2024 Best of Columbia contest.
SCWS was founded in 2011, in order to support at-risk youth and to provide a high quality online public educational option to students across South Carolina. Over that period of time, more than 1,000 students have graduated from SCWS, while being fully prepared for both college and career.
SC Whitmore School provides a personalized curriculum and online learning platform, which allows students to accelerate in courses they are strong in, while also taking the time they need to catch up in other courses.
Executive Director Kim Dunbar said, “It is such an honor to be recognized as the Free Times Best Charter School. We are certainly aware of how amazing our faculty and staff are, but it’s wonderful to get the recognition publicly. SCWS offers students a high quality education that takes into account their other passions and responsibilities. We are thankful to our community for their continued support and belief in our dynamic approach to education in South Carolina.
As SCWS continues to grow the school continues to see the positive impact on students in communities across South Carolina. This past school year SCWS graduated a school record of 188 students, representing practically every county across South Carolina.
The class of 2024 was also made up of 29 students who graduated high school either one or two years early, compared to the traditional four years of high school.
SC Whitmore School Principal, Eboné Adams said, "SC Whitmore School consists of the best faculty and staff in the state of South Carolina who share their passion for developing, guiding, supporting and educating our students. We work hard to create a positive and safe environment for our students that is conducive to learning. Collaboration, communication and care are the key ingredients in providing our students with the best opportunities to achieve their maximum potential. The flexibility and personalized learning is what makes our school unique and it has helped so many of our students and families find such success."
If you are interested in learning more about the SC Whitmore School, please visit us online at scwhitmoreschool.org.