Thirty CCSD students earn the distinction of National Merit Scholarship Finalist
March 18, 2021
Thirty Charleston County School District (CCSD) students have earned the prestigious honor of Finalist in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, which is run by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
Academic Magnet High School leads the county and the state with 23 National Merit Finalists.
Congratulations to the following 2021 Finalists from CCSD:
“Each one of our National Merit Finalists should be extremely proud of this accomplishment, an accomplishment shared with their families, teachers, and school administrators,” said CCSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerrita Postlewait. “Earning this recognition any year is momentous. However, considering the challenges these students and their teachers have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, this honor in 2021 really stands out.”
The CCSD 2021 National Merit Scholarship Finalists were contacted by NMSC last month; they will find out later this spring if they are National Merit Scholarship Winners. Approximately 7,600 academically talented high school seniors will combine to receive more than $30 million in scholarships.
The announcements for the specific types of scholarships (Corporate-Sponsored, National Merit $2,500, and College-Sponsored) will be made in April, May, June, and July.
Over 1.5 million juniors from about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.
To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
For more information, contact the Division of Strategy and Communications at (843) 937-6303.
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is a nationally-accredited school district that is committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students. CCSD is the second-largest school system in South Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 87 schools and specialized programs.
CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), Montessori, and charter schools. Options include programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military.
