Magnet Academics
Elementary School Magnet Academies
The Orangeburg County School District launched four elementary school magnet academies in the 2021-2022 school year. Current Magnet Academy offerings include Communication Arts at Edisto Elementary's Broadcasting and Journalism Academy (BAJA); the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy at Holly Hill Elementary; Scholars Achieving Investigating and Learning (SAIL) with STEAM at Mellichamp Elementary; as well as Visual and Performing Arts at Marshall Elementary's STAGE Academy where students will take on arts and gifted education.
Magnet Academies provide opportunities for students to engage in traditional education combined with learning activities of unique interest to them, such as journalism, performing and visual arts, STEM project-based learning and more.
While space is limited, our Magnet Academy Programs are open to any rising third through fifth grade student in the county, including children zoned for one of our schools which has a magnet academy, as well as those zoned for other elementary schools in our district. OCSD's Magnet Academies serve students of varied academic skill levels. Students identified with “Gifted and Talented (GT) Services” are welcome to apply. Likewise, students who are not "state-identified GT" and students requiring additional academic support are also encouraged to submit an application.
Magnet Academies are offered at no cost to students' parents/ guardians.
The Application Window for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. You can apply below:
Solicitud de Academias Magnet (español)
Students already enrolled in our district may complete the application online. Students who are new to our District must reach out to our Program Coordinator Priscilla Hollington at priscilla.hollington@ocsdsc.org for details and information on enrollment.
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Middle School Progression
Elementary magnet academy students will progress to the appropriate middle school to continue the pathway they began in elementary.
Middle schools will provide innovative courses and experiences for the rising 6th graders who will transition from their elementary magnet beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. With each new school year, middle schools will continue to offer those theme/focus-based experiences for students.
BAJA magnet program students from Edisto Elementary will transition to Carver-Edisto Middle and continue their progression in journalism, broadcasting and drama.
Bulldog S.T.E.A.M Academy magnet program students from Holly Hill Elementary will continue their programmatic studies at Holly Hill-Roberts Middle and progress in the Gateway to Technology coursework there, with an emphasis on coding.
SAIL (Mellichamp) and STAGE (Marshall) magnet students will transition to the middle school at William J. Clark and deepen their learning with Robotics, Computer Science Discoveries, Video Production, Visual & Performing Arts.
Learn More About OCSD's Magnet Academies from Coordinator Priscilla Hollington
Elementary Magnet Academies
The BAJA Academy at Edisto Elementary School
Growing Great Minds through Communication at the Broadcasting and Journalism Academy.
The Bulldog S.T.E.A.M. Academy at Holly Hill Elementary School
Striving to Enrich Active Minds through the authentic implementation of an accelerated curricula, enriched with real world experiences.
The Students Taking on the Arts and Gifted Education (STAGE) Academy at Marshall Elementary School
Infusing arts-based education with the South Carolina College and Career Readiness Standards.
The Scholars Achieving Investigating and Learning (SAIL) Magnet Academy at Mellichamp Elementary School
Preparing scholars to excel in an advanced academic pathway at S.A.I.L. with "full STEAM ahead."