Charleston, SC – This year, Burke High School students are taking courses offered at Arizona State University, Harvard University, Princeton University, and Spelman College, thanks to the efforts of Charleston County School District’s (CCSD) Acceleration Schools Learning Community and the district’s participation in The National Education Equity Lab.

The classes are designed to challenge students in a high school setting and prepare them for the rigors of a college course. Each course is taught
(virtually) by a professor from the corresponding college or university, with
support in the classroom from a certified CCSD teacher. Burke is the first school in South Carolina to offer this opportunity to students. Burke students can take the following classes through this initiative:

Fall 2022
- Poetry in America: The City from Whitman to Hip Hop - a course
offered by Arizona State University and Harvard University
- Cloud Computing - provided by Arizona State University in partnership with Amazon Web Services

Spring 2023
- Western Way of War from Princeton University
- Education of a Black Girl from Spelman College
Each course offers college credits that are transferrable to colleges around
the country, allowing students to start college a step ahead.

“Our goal is clear - we empower all scholars for success,” explained Executive Principal Cheryl Swinton. “At Burke High School, success means
college and/or career readiness upon high school graduation. With this priority in mind, we are thrilled to be the only high school in South Carolina to offer four college credit-bearing courses through the National Education Equity Lab.”
 
With 36 students enrolled in dual credit courses this semester, Burke staff
members are excited about more students signing up for classes for the spring semester. The school plans to offer more classes in the 2023-2024 school year, covering topics that interest all upperclassmen, including personal finance, and big data.

“This program exposes students to the reality of thriving in college and instills confidence in their educational pursuits,” said Jacqueline Haynes, Associate Superintendent for CCSD’s Acceleration Schools. “With offerings from some of the country’s most renowned colleges and universities, these classes help ease the pressure of taking a college course from the comfort and familiarity of their high school classroom. We want every student to participate in dual enrollment classes and are excited to continue to expand the program to include more classes across disciplines.” 

The National Education Equity Lab offers Title I high schools courses from Howard, Princeton, Stanford, Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, Wesleyan, Cornell, Georgetown, Arizona State University, Barnard, and Harvard. Students gain valuable experience and expand their horizons beyond the high school classroom at no cost to them. Students have increased confidence in their abilities from completing rigorous coursework required of a college class. With this confidence, they have an increased dedication to perform well in high school and pursue higher education. 

“Burke scholars are gaining valuable skills and accessing resources they likely would not have had access or exposure to outside of this experience,” added Swinton. “This amazing opportunity levels the playing field for most of our scholars. I look forward to watching them grow and the many benefits they will enjoy as a result of their participation.”

For more information about these opportunities at Burke, contact the district’s Acceleration Schools office at (843) 937-6612.

To learn more about CCSD’s Acceleration Schools Learning Community, visit their section of the district website. Acceleration Schools is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative designed to equip underperforming Charleston County schools with the tools and resources to meet students’ needs and help them excel. Following their four guiding principles: exceptional people, rigorous content and instruction, community partnership, and school transformation, Acceleration Schools will introduce new ways of thinking to solve problems and work with teachers, staff,
and community partners to improve school systems and enhance student learning.

To learn more about The National Education Equity Lab, visit EdEquityLab.org.