"Academy of Hope" to make students globally competitive

Hope Charter Opens (Added: July 25, 2011)

This was the very first day of school for students, parents and teachers at the academy of hope. (more)

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By: Brie Jackson | SCNow
Published: July 25, 2011

CONWAY, SC - On Monday, some students in Horry County got an early start on the school year. A new year-round charter school opened its doors. The Academy of Hope kicked off its first school year.

One parent said they choose to send their child to the new charter school because of its small classrooms, diverse setting and unique course load. The school offers unique courses including Mandarin Chinese

"It's something different. I don't think we would be exposed to foreign languages at this level in other schools" said Marvin Keene.

"It is exposure to different types of children and different languages. I'm really excited to see what words my son says at the end of the year. That should be interesting" said Eileen Soisson, parent.

The new charter school offers students a year round education. It is one of only two Horry County schools to do so, the other is Daisy Elementary

"In traditional settings that three month gap in the summer is a long time for children to retain and maintain the level of learning and standards that they left with in May," said Joseph Washington, Academy of Hope founder. "So when you start in September the children are playing catch up."

School leaders hope the longer schedule, unique classes and diverse student population provide children with a more competitive education.

"I'd like to see them grasping that the world is a global village and there is more to the world than South Carolina or the United States" said Washington.

Currently the school serves kindergarten through the 4th grade. Educators said additional grade levels will be added each year, up to the 8 grade. The Academy of Hope is among three charter schools operating in Horry County this upcoming school year. While tuition to Academy of Hope is free, the county said the three charter schools cost tax payers a total of around $3.4 million. For more information on the Academy of Hope and how you can enroll your children there, just go to their website at www.theacademyofhope.org/