Columbia, SC – State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman announces that South Carolina has selected 3,747 Junior Scholars from all public, private, and home schools.

“I am pleased to see this promising group of students selected for this annual honor,” said Spearman.  “This program provides exceptional students with the opportunity to collaborate with our technical colleges and universities.  It opens doors for students entering high school with challenging academic opportunities, and I am excited for the young men and women selected,” concluded Spearman.

The South Carolina Junior Scholars Program was developed by the Department during the 1985–86 school year to identify eighth grade students with exceptional academic talent.  The program reflects the growing statewide effort to respond to the needs of students possessing unique abilities. 

The program includes a process for screening a potential talent pool of students by identifying and recognizing those with exceptionally high scholastic achievement and intellectual ability.  Identification criteria include the following:  

• Eligible students who scored 550 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or 530 or higher on the Mathematics section of the new PSAT/NMSQT; or
• Eligible students who participated in Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP) during their seventh-grade year, meet the eligibility requirements as outlined by that program, and have been identified and recognized by Duke TIP at the State or Grand recognition ceremony.

The College Board recently revamped the PSAT/NMSQT, aligning it with the SAT and making the test more challenging.  Students interested in taking the test can receive free test preparation through VirtualSC, the Department’s free online learning program.  Learn more here.

There is no application to become a Junior Scholar; once students take the PSAT/NMSQT, the College Board sends the scores directly to the guidance department/PSAT coordinator.

The purpose of the Junior Scholars program is to identify students and provide opportunities that will facilitate their intellectual growth, broaden their individual interests, and promote their scholastic achievement.  The program includes summer opportunities in collaboration with participating South Carolina colleges and universities.  Students can also note this special recognition on their technical college and university applications.

For additional resources on the Junior Scholars program, click here.

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