Palmetto Scholars Academy

Palmetto Scholars Academy is a public charter school in North Charleston, SC, serving intellectually gifted students in grades 6 through 12. It was founded in 2010 by a group of parents and professionals seeking a unique educational environment on Charleston's old Naval Shipyard, beginning as a sixth through eighth-grade charter school. In 2015 the school relocated to its current campus on Joint Base Lindsay Graham, and it now operates as a full middle and high school. Enrollment is determined by a random lottery, and all students must provide proof of SC residency at the time of enrollment.

The academic program is built around depth, complexity, and critical thinking, with interdisciplinary projects in which students research, design, and solve real-world problems. Mission Design is a signature part of the PSA experience, and students also take part in VEX Robotics, designing, building, and programming robots. At the high school level, PSA offers dual-enrollment courses with Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston, along with AP and honors courses, so students can build college preparatory pathways in STEM and Arts and Humanities. The school also offers fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.

PSA partners with Joint Base Lindsay Graham and its military families, and in May of 2025 it was recognized as a Purple Star School for its efforts in supporting military children and their families. Over the past fifteen years the school has grown to serve grades 6 through 12 and has established itself as one of the top schools in the state. Its recognition includes being ranked the number one SC Public Charter School District high school for the second year in a row and number five SC public high school by US News and World Report in 2025. It received a 2023-2024 Silver Award from Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards, was named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School, and was named a School of Distinction by the SC Public Charter School District three years in a row. It earned a place on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll, and three teams were chosen to send experiments to the International Space Station through the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program. The school won the 2017 State Class A Championship in Soccer and has established itself as a state and national leader in VEX and VEX IQ Robotics, cyber-security, National History Day, and Mission Design.