Belton Preparatory Academy (BPA), a tuition-free, public charter school serving students in grades 5K–8 in Belton, has been recognized for Academic Performance by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).
BPA earned eight different awards in recognition of its outstanding academic performance in the 2024-2025 school year, as well as a financial Academic Performance Bonus from the Charter Institute at Erskine (Institute) at the Academic Showcase.
BPA earned a total of $25,000 in Institute Academic Performance Bonuses. The Elementary School earned $10,000 for achieving an Overall Good report card rating and the Middle School earned $15,000 for achieving an Overall Excellent report card rating.
“For far too long, the education establishment has funded struggling schools to the exclusion of those who are producing excellence. These performance bonuses are a statement that the Institute believes in rewarding the efforts that are producing success for children,” said Cameron Runyan, Superintendent at the Charter Institute at Erskine.
Belton earned several other awards from both the Institute and the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).
The Elementary School earned:
⦁ Platinum School of Excellence for performing in the top 25% of South Carolina elementary schools in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
⦁ Silver School of Distinction for outperforming the local district and demonstrating average growth in ELA and Mathematics.
⦁ Palmetto Silver Award from the South Carolina Department of Education.
The Middle School earned:
⦁ Platinum School of Excellence for performing in the top 25% of South Carolina middle schools in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
⦁ Gold School of Distinction for outperforming the local district and demonstrating above-average growth in ELA and Mathematics.
⦁ Palmetto Gold Award from the South Carolina Department of Education.
⦁ Excellent Overall report card rating.
⦁ Culture of Excellence award for earning an Excellent rating on the School Climate Indicator on the 2025 School Report Card.
“Over the last couple of years, our team at Belton has been very fortunate to observe extraordinary growth and steps in the right direction,” said School Leader Deirdre McCullough. “This is no accident. We have fantastic teachers, supportive families, and an entire community that is supporting our children’s learning. These awards reaffirm that what we’re doing is working and is visible outside of the school.”
The Institute Academic Showcase unites charter schools from across the state to celebrate growth, achievement, and the collective journey toward academic excellence. This event offers students, staff, teachers, and leaders the chance to be recognized for their successes and to share valuable tools and strategies with their peers. Additionally, the Institute awarded $245,000 in Academic Performance Bonuses to 21 schools across the state at the Showcase.
Belton Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school serving students in grades 5K–8 in Belton, SC. Offering a rigorous classical education, BPA partners with families to create a challenging and nurturing learning environment where every child can thrive. Its mission is to provide each student with the intellectual tools to become an independent thinker, a respectful individual, and a valuable citizen prepared to compete and excel in a 21st-century global economy.
For more information about Belton Preparatory Academy, or to enroll your child, visit www.beltonprep.us. ###
The Charter Institute at Erskine is the fastest-growing school district in South Carolina. Serving 28 schools and 30,000 students across the state, the Charter Institute at Erskine is committed to innovative, creative, high-quality methods of education. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.erskinecharters.org.
BPA receives Academic Awards
Photo – The BPA team poses with Representative Blake Sanders and Institute leadership with their academic awards.
