About Our Program

Faculty and staff provide a nurturing environment that enable students to earn a high school diploma. They provide clear expectations of proper behavior through a system called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The system has three clear rules to student conduct respectfulness, responsibility, and readiness. The faculty, staff and administration plan school-wide procedures and rules together at the beginning of the year allowing for later changes.

One of the behavioral incentives for PBIS is "Clark Cash," a special type of motivational currency used in the classrooms, offices, and common areas of the school. With Clark Cash, students win privileges, buy a limited amount of school supplies, and obtain special classroom incentives according to each teacher's individual incentive plan. Additionally, each nine weeks students who make the Honor Roll participate in an Ice Cream Social.

Academically, our Credit Recovery program has been improved and extended from an after-school course to three traditional classes during the school day. This program, implemented with well-designed computer software, helps students gain enough credits to meet state standards for graduation and grade promotion. The class also offers one-on-one tutoring by the program teacher.

Anyone interested in learning more about our school may contact Mr. Andrew HaLevi by email andrew_halevi@charleston.k12.sc.us for more details.

History of Clark: In cooperation with Communities in Schools (CIS), the CCSD opened Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy in 1990 as a program affiliated with Burke High School. Originally located at the old Cigar Factory on East Bay Street, Clark relocated to its current location on James Island in 1994. In the ensuing years, Clark has been affiliated with James Island High School as well as functioning as a stand-alone high school, before reverting to its current status as a magnet program for students across CCSD. Despite many changes, Clark remains true to its original mission helping students earn their high school diploma.

Applying to Clark

Applications are accepted from students at any CCSD high school and judged by the following criteria:

the ability to successfully complete a high school program of studies.
a commitment to the Clark philosophy and program goals.
a willingness to overcome the challenges that prevented success at the home school.

Students who submit a complete application will be contacted for an interview on a rolling basis (as space becomes available). Students accepted to Clark can start at the beginning of each grading periods (August/ October/January/March), with the majority beginning in August and January.

Applications can be obtained by calling the school 843-762-2772 or downloaded from the website www.spclark.org

Graduation

Clark has an exceptionally strong record of graduating students. In 2007-2008, 35 students received a SC high school diploma, although only 11 students began the year classified as seniors. This track record of success makes Clark an invaluable program in the CCSD. Given the challenges many Clark students have to overcome in order to earn their diploma, the graduation ceremony at Clark is a particularly meaningful and emotional event shared by family, friends and the community.

Clark Graduation is June 4th @ 4pm at the Circular Congregation Church downtown on Meeting Street! Please plan to attend and to arrive early!

Overview of Clark

Clark is a unique program within the Charleston County School District (CCSD) geared exclusively to help overage, at-risk students earn the credits they need to receive a SC high school diploma. In addition to core academic classes in math, English, social studies and science; Clark offers electives that include PE, Spanish, art, computer applications and Drivers Education. Students are also strongly encouraged to participate in credit recovery and acceleration opportunities available during and after school. Clark students remind "tied" to their home schools; where they can participate in sports, clubs and extra-curricular activities.

Partnerships

Clark was not only founded as a partnership between Communities in Schools (CIS) and the Charleston County School District (CCSD), it continues to depend on this partnership to help Clark students meet their goals. CIS counselors are an integral part of the school and provide a variety of services, including individual and group counseling, mentoring, family outreach and the coordination of volunteer activities. Additional partnerships exist with the following organizations.

The College of Charleston's Center for Partnerships to Improve Education (CPIE), CPIE provides strategic planning and volunteers.
Charleston Futures, an organization that helps low income, at-risk students plan and prepare for college.

School Policies

Attendance Policy: Students may miss up to 5 school days per semester of unexcused absences. If the student is absent more than 5 times, a parent or doctor must provide a note in order for missed days to be considered excused absences. If a student has more than 5 unexcused absences per semester, he or she may be denied credits for course completion and/or graduation.

Remember the 3-ring binder is to be brought back and forth to school daily. You are to keep up with all assignments and assessments using the binder. Binder checks are on Fridays by the 1st period teacher! Please be prepared every school day.