Gifted and talented students may soon have another educational option in the Lowcountry, one that would be tuition-free and the first of its kind in South Carolina. Daniel Island resident Stacey Lindbergh, a longtime advocate for advanced learners, announced last week that a planning committee has begun work on an application for a new, public South Carolina charter school for academic scholars.
"There are so many misperceptions about gifted kids," said Lindbergh, who also serves as President of the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association and Chair of the School Improvement Council at Daniel Island School. "Their needs are plain as day not being met. They need people to advocate for them."
The facility, to be known as Palmetto Scholars Academy, is slated to open in August 2010, if the school’s application is granted by the South Carolina Public Charter School District this May. According to Lindbergh, the school would be open to any child, no matter what county or school district he or she lives in.
"Anyone can apply," she said. "A magnet school can choose the child, but a child can choose the charter."
The school’s mission, listed on its official Web site, would be "to provide a differentiated program designed to meet the educational needs of intellectually gifted learners, address their distinctive social and emotional needs, promote individual character development and instill a life-long love of learning." Students will also be given an opportunity to engage with leading innovative organizations in higher education, business and science.
Initial grades would include sixth through eighth, but high school grades are expected to be added beginning in 2011. A principal would run the school’s day to day operations, but would report to a governing board consisting of parents, teachers, and community leaders. Once the school’s application is approved, a campus location in the greater Charleston area will be selected. Lindbergh said they are looking for businesses or individuals who may be interested in temporarily donating a suitable building that could accommodate up to 300 children.
"If anyone is interested, they can write it off as a tax deduction," she said. "Even if they only gave it to us for a couple of years, while we build our (facility), that would be wonderful!"
Lindbergh said the planning committee is benchmarking with other charter facilities, such as the Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy in Charlotte and The Stargate School in Colorado.
"It’s been a long time coming," added Lindbergh. "The more you read about the research, you realize it’s needed for these kids. And when you look at the shining example of what can happen when you gear a school towards the needs of gifted kids (such as in the case of the Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston), you’re at the top of the nation."
For additional information, as well as to register your child on a list of prospective students, visit the school’s Web site at www.palmettoscholarsacademy.org. Anyone interested in serving on the planning committee is asked to email Lindbergh at slindbergh@homesc.com or call her at 437-1751. Individuals with the following expertise are especially needed: law, finance, commercial real estate, gifted curriculum, certified teachers, and grant writers.
