Fall 2023 | A Highlight Reel

HHCA's distinctly Christian inquiry-based learning model continues to engage students by making real-world connections through exploration and high-level questioning.  A few examples from this semester are included below, with more to be featured soon.

LOWER SCHOOL

• HHCA welcomed Lower School students this fall to a reimagined library space thanks to creative planning and mentor collaboration across all three HHCA divisions. In addition to books, our library space is now home to a Digital Beehive, obtained through The Bee Cause Project in partnership with the Savannah Bee Company. Read more here.
   
• Third Grade met with Hilton Head Island's Sea Turtle Rescue Team as part of the research phase of their Sea Turtle project. After learning how we can help care for Sea Turtles by cleaning up our community, they completed a service project by cleaning up Coligny Beach. They then partnered with Discovery Cove Museum to create visual displays showing the effects of trash on sea turtles. Their work will be in the museum to educate the public about keeping our beaches clean. 

Middle School

• In a project learning about "living things", 7th graders built cell models and created websites that highlight the traits of their favorite breed of dog. 
   
• Through research, students modeled preparing and eating food in space. They also designed space exercises using resistance bands and tested water filters for recycling water in space by making dirty water drinkable. 

UPPER SCHOOL

• In collaboration between Environmental Science and US Art, students created a stormwater runoff topographical map experiment while learning about our May River watershed. They visited the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority as part of the project.
   
• AP Psychology students have applied college-style learning and study skills as they cover material to prepare for the AP examsin May. This semester they accomplished content in: research methods, neuroscience, sensation and perception, behavioral psychology, and cognitive psychology.

• HHCA was recognized on the AP School Honor Roll, reflecting a culture that maximizes college readiness with ample opportunity for students to earn college credit.
• Over 20 colleges & universities visited campus to meet with HHCA students, including Furman University, College of Charleston, SCAD, University of South Carolina, Wofford College, and more.

• 65 students took 80+ dual credit courses.

• The Class of 2024 has submitted 500+ college applications to over 135 colleges.
• Our seniors have already received acceptances from prestigious universities like: Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, USC, The Citadel, United States Navy Academy, Penn State University,  and The University of St. Andrews (Scotland), and more.

• Over 200 Middle and Upper School students participated in fall sports.

• HHCA Swim Team (Girls) placed 2nd in the State.

• Cross Country Boys finished 2nd in the SCISA Region Championship.

• Over 30 HHCA student-athletes were recognized with post-season honors for all-region, all-state, and all-star competition invitations.

• At the fall National College Signing Day, two HHCA athletes signed to play baseball at the Division 1 level for Radford and Clemson.

HHCA Varsity Football won the SCISA AAA State Championship, marking the 7th title in program’s history, and the 3rd in the last 5 years. Read the full story here.

• HHCA Theater won the SCISA state one-act competition for the 2nd year in a row.
• In the largest cast for a Lower School production ever: 68 Lower School students and 16 Middle School & Upper School helpers participated in HHCA Theater’s production of Disney's The Aristocats KIDS.
• Two HHCA Seniors directed a full Main State Community Theater Production, Into The Woods Jr, in the culmination of their two-year Diploma With Distinction project. Read the story here.
• US Theater students performed four shows of Little Women The Broadway Musical, which was fully run by students. 
• The Eagles Jazz Band was one of only two private schools in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry region invited to perform at the Savannah Jazz Festival.
• 11 HHCA music students were selected (out of both public and private schools from across the state) to audition for South Carolina's All-Region and All-Sate band.

• HHCA students have logged over 3500+ hours of community service so far this year .
• A group of seniors organized a candy drive and delivered 300+ pounds of candy to those serving our country through the Soldiers Angels organization.
• 4th Grade students celebrated Thanksgiving with a Gratitude Tour, visiting local firefighters, police, and nurses at Benton House to say thank you with cards and singing. 
• Upper School art students created bowls for the Empty Bowl Project in support of the Emmaus House Soup Kitchen.

• Our Middle School Cheer team wrote notes of encouragement to every fall sports athlete (over 200 of them!)

• Mrs. Craddock's Bible Classes participated in 12 Days of Service, serving others and those in need in various ways each of the 12 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas Break.

• The HHCA Z-Club delivered more than 140 shoe boxes for children in need through this year’s Operation Christmas Child campaign. 

• Junior Beta Club is celebrating active duty military service members, writing letters of encouragement and sending care packages .

   

• Middle School and Upper School students spent time off campus at annual retreats, to bond and grow together as the school year began. They prayed together in small groups, worshiped together, enjoyed plenty of games and activities, and heard from Christian speakers. 
• Students worshiped together and heard from various speakers about this year’s theme from 1 Peter 2:9 (Marvelous Light) during Chapel on Fridays .
• The first-ever Lower School 5th grade worship team was formed, and leads LS students in worship music during Chapel each week. 
• Testimony Thursdays began this semester as a gathering where mentors and others share their personal testimonies with Upper School students. 
• Life+,  HHCA's parent-focused video devotional series, each piece of the complete Armor of God (Eph.  6:10-18) was discussed. Watch the series here.
• HHCA hosted FCA’s Fields of Faith gathering, with 800+ in attendance from schools throughout the area. Along with others, Senior Alex Epstein gave his testimony during the event.

• HHCA's Guidance Counseling Team worked with student leaders to organize and hold a Club Walk during the first full week of school, which showcased a wide variety of groups in which MS/US students can participate. This year, more than 25 clubs are offered! View all HHCA Clubs here.

• Lower School introduced a new Walking Club. Weekly walks in the morning before school allow our littlest Eagles to get in some steps before heading to class.

• Over 20 student legislative leaders represented HHCA at the annual Youth In Government conference in Columbia, SC, earning top honors and passing several articles of legislation. Read the story here.

• HHCA's Vex Robotics Team continues to grow and competed in tournaments from teams throughout the State this fall, earning awards and honors.  Read about LS/MS club tournament here. The HHCA Upper School team won a prestigious Judges Award at their statewide competition this fall. Read more here.