Youth and Precollege Programs

Since 1975, the College of Charleston's Upward Bound program has provided a year-round experience  aimed at providing high school students tools to build academic and social success in high school, college, and beyond.

Since 1978, the College of Charleston's Department of Mathematics has hosted innovative individual and team competitions for high school mathematics students. This annual event helps motivate students to excel and appreciate the role of this subject outside of the classroom. 

Hosted by the Department of Computer Science, an annual programming competition for high school students in which participating teams solve problems and introduce their solution utilizing Python and Java. Typically held in February.

An affiliate of the International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Serves Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Georgetown counties in South Carolina.

Dual enrollment is a program that allows high school students (usually sophomores, juniors, and seniors) to enroll in the College of Charleston for credit prior to high school graduation.

Summer Dance Experience: Designed for intermediate and advanced level high school and college dancers, this weeklong program enhances skills through technique classes, seminars and repertory. 

Summer Theatre Experience: Designed for beginning to intermediate high school students and rising college freshmen, this five-day program includes technique classes, seminars, and repertory.

Charleston Chamber Music Intensive: Open to high school and college students, this weeklong program provides private lessons, masterclasses, seminars and public performance opportunities.

Studio Art Summer Immersion: This two-week program guides 10th-12th graders in producing works in mediums focused on drawing, painting, digital photos, and mixed media and includes visits to local galleries and museums. Students will create portfolio-quality work and images for their college application and personal use.

Honors College Summer Institute: Designed for highly motivated rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the Institute consists of three week-long programs. Students can apply for one, two, or all three programs.

STEM 360: This five-day program gives rising 10-12th graders the opportunity to sample a range of STEM disciplines, ranging from biology to computer programming and many more in between!

Since 2013, the College of Charleston women's basketball team has partnered with the College's School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering to host an interactive STEM experience for 4th-8th graders prior to game tip-off.

An affiliate of the International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Serves Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Georgetown counties in South Carolina.

Camp Art Attack: Designed for rising kindergarten through sixth grade students, this four-day program includes hands-on experience with the visual and performing arts.