News Summary
The South Carolina Construction Academy (SCCA) is launching as a charter high school in Myrtle Beach, offering students practical skills in construction trades. Set to open in August 2026, SCCA aims to prepare students for careers in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC, integrating hands-on learning with a rigorous academic curriculum. This initiative provides families with an innovative educational choice, promoting workforce development and potentially enhancing the local economy.
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach’s New Construction Academy Builds Futures
Myrtle Beach is set to welcome a groundbreaking educational opportunity with the South Carolina Construction Academy (SCCA), a new charter high school focused on equipping students with practical skills for in-demand careers. This initiative represents a significant expansion of educational choice in the region, offering a specialized pathway for students to achieve personal accomplishment and contribute to the local economy.
The establishment of SCCA reflects a growing understanding that diverse learners thrive in diverse environments. By providing a tuition-free public school option centered on vocational skills, the academy offers parents greater flexibility in selecting an educational model that best suits their children’s aptitudes and aspirations. This targeted approach to education underscores a commitment to innovation in South Carolina classrooms, aiming to foster academic growth alongside valuable trade proficiencies.
A New Era for Education: The South Carolina Construction Academy
The South Carolina Construction Academy (SCCA) is slated to open its doors in August of 2026, marking a new chapter for educational choices in Myrtle Beach. This new charter high school will be located at 1900 Mr. Joe White Avenue, occupying the large building that previously housed the Golf Academy of America. The SCCA is affiliated with the Charter Institute at Erskine and is actively accepting enrollment applications for the 2026-27 school year.
Serving students in grades 9 through 12, the academy is poised to provide an innovative educational experience. The facility’s layout is considered ideal for trade-based instruction, featuring a substantial central area designated as a construction lab for hands-on projects.
Building Futures: A Skills-Based Curriculum
The SCCA’s core mission is to integrate academic learning with intensive, hands-on construction experience. Students will engage in a rigorous curriculum that prepares them not only for college but also for immediate entry into the workforce. The school will emphasize career pathways in critical construction trades, including carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and eventually HVAC.
The curriculum is designed to meet the same state-mandated academic requirements as traditional public schools in South Carolina, ensuring a comprehensive education. However, it significantly differs in its emphasis on practical, skills-based learning. The academy plans to utilize Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers and experts from local industries to provide real-world instruction and mentorship. Students will gain practical experience through projects, including some that will benefit younger children at the co-located Morning Star Academy, such as building garden boxes and a greenhouse.
The Power of Choice: Charter Schools in the Grand Strand
The opening of SCCA exemplifies the benefits of parental choice and educational innovation within the public school system. Charter schools like SCCA are tuition-free public schools that offer distinct educational models, providing families in Myrtle Beach SC schools with alternatives to traditional settings. This choice empowers parents to select environments that best align with their children’s learning styles and career interests.
The SCCA will share its facility with Morning Star Academy, another new K-8 charter school focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education. The co-location fosters a collaborative environment where older students can apply their construction skills to projects that directly support the younger learners. This co-habitation highlights a creative use of existing community resources to expand educational opportunities.
Leadership and Vision for Academic and Career Growth
The vision for the South Carolina Construction Academy is led by Principal Jae Love Anderson, an educator with over two decades of experience. She is dedicated to offering families a distinct model of learning, one that prioritizes hands-on experiences within a skills-based instructional setting. The school’s mission is to ignite a passion for positive change in students by blending engaging academics with practical construction experiences in modern facilities, thereby preparing them for fulfilling careers.
The SCCA will be managed by the Educational Empowerment Group, an organization with extensive experience in operating charter schools across various states. This professional management aims to ensure a streamlined and effective educational delivery, focusing on student achievement and career readiness. The approach aligns with themes of limited bureaucracy, allowing educators to focus on innovative instructional methods that directly benefit students.
Economic Impact and Community Partnership
The establishment of SCCA addresses a vital need within the South Carolina construction industry, which continually seeks skilled professionals. By preparing students with nationally recognized industry credentials and practical experience, the academy helps bridge the skills gap, offering pathways to high-paying careers directly after high school. This focus on workforce development contributes significantly to the local economy and strengthens the community by ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled tradespeople.
The academy’s emphasis on real-world learning opportunities, including potential partnerships with local industry leaders, highlights the importance of community involvement in education. Such collaborations foster an ecosystem where schools, businesses, and families work together to shape a stronger future for the community and its students, creating opportunities for personal achievement and collective prosperity. This model serves as an example for South Carolina classrooms and broader Richland County education initiatives seeking innovative ways to prepare students for the demands of a modern workforce.
Conclusion
The South Carolina Construction Academy represents a forward-thinking addition to the Myrtle Beach SC schools landscape, offering a compelling choice for families seeking a career-focused education. By prioritizing hands-on learning, practical skills, and strong academic foundations, SCCA is set to empower a new generation of students, preparing them for successful careers in construction trades and contributing significantly to the economic vitality of the region. As this innovative charter high school prepares to open, it underscores the value of educational choice and community-driven solutions in fostering academic growth and personal achievement for all students.
We encourage parents, educators, and community members to stay engaged with local educational policy and support initiatives that provide diverse and effective learning pathways for our youth. Explore how these developments are shaping career education SC and enhancing opportunities for students across the state.
Key Features of the South Carolina Construction Academy
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| School Name | South Carolina Construction Academy (SCCA) |
| Location | 1900 Mr. Joe White Avenue, Myrtle Beach, SC (former Golf Academy of America building) |
| Opening Date | August 2026 |
| Grade Levels | 9 through 12 |
| School Type | Tuition-free Public Charter High School |
| Curriculum Focus | Hands-on construction trades (carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) integrated with academic instruction. |
| Affiliation | Charter Institute at Erskine |
| Management | Educational Empowerment Group |
| Shared Facility | With Morning Star Academy (K-8 STEAM charter school) |
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
