High School (9th–12th Grades)

Our Schools

We are powering the future through excellence in education in our Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. Each school represents a distinct segment of our students’ educational journey as we prepare them for adulthood, jobs, higher education, careers, and whatever else the future holds.

Our schools comprise a unified commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome for every member of our unique learning community.

We are Virtus. We Power the Future.

Student Pledge

I will begin each day with a positive attitude.

I will have an open mind and heart and do my very best in and out of school.

I will do my best to ensure Virtus has a welcoming environment for all.

I will practice excellence in all I do.

I will treat everyone with respect.

Powering the Future in Grades 9–12

Our high school community is growing. We currently have students enrolled in the 9th and 10th grades, and a new 28,000-square-foot academic building and 12,000-square-foot gymnasium are presently under construction. At the start of the 2024-25 school year, we will have a complete K–12 Power Pack, including 200+ high school students. Until then, our students take classes at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT) on the Florence Darlington Technical College campus.

Our high school community is growing. We currently have 80 students enrolled in the 9th and 10th grades. Each grade can serve up to 46 students. We will have a complete K–12 Power Pack two years from now, including 200+ high school students. We anticipate the construction of a new high school wing in the near future, but until then, classes are taught at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT) on the campus of Florence Darlington Technical College.

Early College

Students can earn a two-year Associate’s degree or a one-year technical workforce certificate during their four high school years. In the spring of 8th grade, students select a career pathway that interests them, such as accounting, computer technology or engineering, and take the Next Generation Accuplacer exam, which tests reading, writing, and math skills. To enter the program, students must score 250 or higher in each. Early College classes are taught online during the 9th and 10th grades and in person during the 11th and 12th grades on the Florence Darlington Technical College campus. There are 26 college courses available, and students who earn a C or higher earn 3–4 hours of college credit per course. Classes are taught by the college’s credentialed and adjunct faculty. Credits are transferrable to any four-year institution in South Carolina and many out-of-state schools.

Qualifications

Be a Virtus Academy 8th Grader
Guidance Counselor Recommendation
A score of 250 or Higher in Reading, Writing & Math on the Accuplacer Exam

Graduation Requirements

Visit the Diploma Requirements

Promotion Requirements

Grade Level	Minumum Credits	Must Include
9th to 10th	5 credits	1 Math 1 English
10th to 11th	11 credits	2 Math 2 English
11th to 12th	16 credits	3 Math 2 Science 3 English 2 Social Studies

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Student Drivers

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Seals of Distinction

VA High School Diploma with Honors to include:

A 20-hour community service project
A career internship completed before graduation
A web-based professional digital portfolio
Dual Credit or Advanced Placement Courses
Participation in one Leadership Office, Class, or Program

Students enrolled in South Carolina high schools shall have the opportunity to earn graduation Seals of Distinction within each high school diploma pathway that identifies a particular area of focus.

Honors Seal of Distinction

UGP GPA: 3.5 or higher
English: 4 units, 2 at honors level or higher
Math: 4 units, 3 at the honors level or higher (4th must-have Alg I as pre-req)
Lab Science: 3 units, 2 at honors level or higher
Social Studies: 3 units, 2 at honors level or higher
World Language: 2 units of the same language (18–19 9th graders)/3 units of same language (19–20 9th graders)
Advanced Coursework: 4 units at honors level or higher during junior/senior years

College-Ready Seal of Distinction

UGP GPA: 3.0 or higher OR college-ready benchmark: on ACT 20 or
SAT 1020
English: 4 units
Math: 4 units (4th must-have Alg I as pre-req)
Lab Science: 3 units
Social Studies: 3 units
World Language: 2 units of the same language
Fine Arts: 1 unit

Career Seal of Distinction

UGP GPA: 2.5 or higher
English: 4 units
Math: 4 units
Science: 3 units
Social Studies: 3 units
AND
CATE: completion of an EEDA major (4 aligned within a career cluster)
AND
Career Credential: earn at least one industry-recognized credential OR
WIN benchmark: Silver or higher OR work-based learning: semester-long WBL placement credit

Specialization Seal of Distinction

UGP GPA: 3.0 or higher
Complete one area to qualify:
STEM: 4 elective units beyond the required courses in math, science, and technology with at least 2 at the honors level or higher; 4 units may be in one area of STEM or across the 4 areas
World Language: 4 units in the same language and/or proficiency on exam
Military: 4 units in JROTC AND a score of 31 or higher on the ASVAB assessment
Arts: 4 units in single or multiple areas of the Arts with 2 or more at the honors level or higher AND successful demonstration of mastery on an externally validated performance task