East Point Academy Head of School Mark Bounds joins Bilingualism Matters Board at USC
October 15, 2019
The Bilingualism Matters Executive Board at the University of South Carolina College of Education welcomed new member, Mark Bounds, on October 9, 2019 at their monthly meeting. Bounds will assist the Board with outreach, creating relationships and advisement on matters of primary education policy.
Bounds has spent over 20 years in education and currently serves as Head of School at East Point Academy, a Mandarin immersion public charter school in West Columbia. Prior to becoming the East Point Academy Head of School, Bounds served as Chief Information Officer of Lexington-Richland District Five.
His multiple advanced degrees, numerous leadership program certificates, charter district experience, knowledge from serving on a dozen educational advisory boards and 20-year military career will bring a wealth of information to the Bilingualism Matters Executive Board.
“Like East Point Academy, Bilingualism Matters recognizes that we live in a diverse world where communicating and connecting with others across languages is incredibly important. When I learned about the organization, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Bounds.
Bilingualism Matters at USC is one of five US and one of 20 international branches of an international network, started in Edinburgh, Scotland. Locally, they conduct research and partner with school districts to promote awareness about bilingualism, develop sound instructional practices and share resources with the community.
Members of the Bilingualism Matters Board are excited about the new addition.
“Mark Bounds has a genuine desire to improve the quality of bilingual programs in his school and beyond,” said Dr. Eurydice Bauer, USC John E. Swearingen Chair of Education, “I am honored he has joined our board.”
About East Point Academy
East Point Academy, founded in 2011, is a globally minded public charter school in West Columbia, S.C., serving over 740 students in preschool through eighth grade. East Point students at the elementary level receive half of their daily instruction in Mandarin Chinese. Middle school students receive approximately 25% of their daily instruction in Mandarin, with placement from novice to advanced levels. The school is tuition free and open to all students in South Carolina, regardless of their zoned district.
East Point Academy is ‘A’ rated on Niche.com, has been voted Best Private or Charter School in Columbia by the readers of the Free Times and the State’s Best Public Charter School by the readers of The State newspaper.
