Education briefs

Beaufort County School District School Choice Applications Open for 2025-26
BCSD is accepting school choice applications for the 2025-26 academic year. Parents must submit applications online by April 11th at 5 p.m. Programs include Advanced Math, Engineering, Science (AMES), International Baccalaureate, Montessori, arts integration, language immersion, Cambridge Academy, Early College, MedTech 7 pathways and expanded Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Families outside attendance zones may apply, but transportation is not provided. A lottery system will be used for schools at full capacity, including Okatie Elementary, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy, Pritchardville Elementary and River Ridge Academy (grades 6-8).

To learn more, visit Beaufort County School Choice.

BCSD & Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) Expand Dual Enrollment
The BCSD Tides program will allow rising ninth graders to complete two associate degrees and a technical certificate by high school graduation. Students can apply from March 1st to April 11th.

Accepted students will choose one of two associate degree pathways as a major for their ninth and tenth grade years, then declare an associate degree minor with a technical program emphasis for their junior and senior years.

Like traditional dual enrollment, students will earn both high school and college credit for completing TCL classes taught by TCL instructors. Courses are free to district students. Unlike typical dual enrollment, Tides students will complete the program as a cohort beginning in ninth grade, graduating with two associate degrees and a technical certificate from TCL.

The program is available at TCL’s New River Campus for students at Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and May River High Schools and at TCL’s Beaufort Mather Campus for students at Whale Branch Early College, Beaufort and Battery Creek High Schools.

For more information, visit TCL Tides Program.

May River High Expands Career & Technology Education (CTE)
A 20,000-square-foot CTE addition is under construction at May River High School, funded by the 2023 bond referendum. It will house advanced welding, automotive, robotics and nursing programs, plus new Air Force JROTC classrooms.

The project is being built by Thompson Turner Construction and designed by Quackenbush Architects.

Newly Appointed
John Paul II Welcomes New President David Lima has been appointed president of John Paul II Catholic School. He previously served as assistant superintendent for leadership and accreditation in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia.

Cross Schools Breaks Ground on New Cafeteria
Cross Schools celebrated the start of its cafeteria and building addition with a wall-smashing ceremony.

BCSD Hosts Public Forums on 2025-26 Budget
The Board of Education will hold public forums for community input on the 2025-26 school budget at:

• Bluffton High School – April 30th at 6 p.m.
• Beaufort High School – May 1st at 6 p.m.

Participants will discuss budget priorities in small groups.

Bluffton High Senior Named National Merit Finalist
Ava Elizabeth Rios was named a National Merit Scholarship finalist, competing among the nation’s top academic students.

Bluffton High Academic WorldQuest Team Wins Districts
Team members Jamie Ni, Joseph Prochazka, Katherine Riddle, Ava Elizabeth Rios and Nick Phillips, along with advisor Mr. Jarvis, will advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C.

DECA Success: Bluffton, May River & John Paul II High Schools
Students from Bluffton, May River and John Paul II Catholic School excelled at the SC DECA Career Development Conference, with multiple students advancing to the International DECA Competition in Orlando in April.

Bluffton High DECA Finalists
Anthony Bautista, Vincent Hackett, Luke Hirota, Camille Johnson, Kensley Kaney and Genesis Hernandez Cabrera

Bluffton High DECA Trophy Winners (Eligible for ICDC)

• Parker Henderson, Hien Ta and Mary Thurlow (3rd place)
• Zeke Chirigliano, Santana Pina and Emma Orkhon (2nd place)

May River High DECA ICDC Qualifiers

• Ariel Rieck & Michelle Le (2nd in Franchise Business Plan)
• Airo Ranera & Avery Rodgers (2nd in International Business Plan)

John Paul II DECA Finalists

• Lily Kate Garrick (10th in Apparel & Accessories Marketing)
• Isabella Perez (4th in Business Finance)
• Ryan Bertagna (4th in Sports & Entertainment Marketing)

John Paul II ICDC Qualifier

• Michael Fitzgibbons (2nd in Apparel & Accessories Marketing)

Bluffton Middle Robotics Team Competes at State Championship
The Mustang Robotics Team—Kinston All, Gavin Jacob and Teagan Lenahan—competed at the South Carolina VEX IQ State Championship, capping a strong season after winning Teamwork Champion at River Ridge Academy in February.

River Ridge Academy Young Astronauts Visit NASA
Students traveled to NASA and witnessed a Falcon 9 rocket launch, a highlight of their STEM program.

May River Choir Excels

• Six students performed at SCMEA All-State Choir.
• Ten students sang Carmina Burana with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.
• Aiden Bucklaw will perform with the National Honor Choir in Dallas.

Cross Schools Girls Basketball Wins State Championship
The team won the SCISA 2A State Championship for the second consecutive year.

H.E. McCracken Middle Performs at BCSD Dance Festival
More than 60 students participated in the BCSD Dance Festival at Hilton Head Island High School, attending master classes and performances.

John Paul II Wrestlers Make School History
Brian Orta and Daniel Snyder qualified for the National Preps Wrestling Championship, marking the most national qualifiers in JPII wrestling history.