Colleton County High School (CCHS) and Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center (TCTC) are helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by continuing to provide opportunities to which students are educated through the implementation of a guaranteed viable curriculum in which they are able to explore through application in solving real world challenges and using what they have learned to be empowered to be agents of positive change within and beyond their communities.
Colleton County High School’s aim is to build a strong foundation so that our students will be equipped and ready for their chosen career path. Academic achievement remains a top priority, as strong grades and rigorous coursework, such as our honors and dual enrollment courses aid in preparing our students for college. This year our students continued the Cougar Early College program through our partnership with The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie campus. These students showed great success throughout the year and earned their Associate’s Degree upon graduating from high school. We also had students participating in Dual Enrollment courses through The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie and The Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL).
Students at Colleton County High School are also provided with many opportunities to prepare for the world of work. In our Career and Technical Education programs at Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center, the 2025-2026 school year saw several programs improve their opportunities for students to gain much needed career skills. The automotive technology program began the year strong by achieving ASE recertification for the first time in several years as well as becoming 1 of 6 automotive programs in the state to serve as a pilot for the new BEV/Hybrid Technology curriculum. The nail technology program graduated its first completers. Law enforcement services was added to the course offerings and will begin the program in the Fall of 2026. In addition, the partnership with the Technical College of the Lowcountry was strengthened through preparation of dual enrollment opportunities for the Fall of 2026 in business courses and child development.
Through our school counseling and career exploration experiences, our students are offered an array of opportunities to meet the tenets of the profile of the SC graduate. Students receive SEL through Wellness Wednesdays and Mental Health Mondays. Students enjoy counselor check-ins and individual sessions as needed for extra support and success. Students are encouraged, through the IGP and IEP sessions to set goals, i.e., short-term and long-term goals for success. These tools, coupled with career exploration and quarterly town hall meetings, focuses on helping our students to align their strengths and ambitions with their life goals.
We are fortunate to have Gear Up and JAG on site to assist our students in understanding their career paths. We also have CDF’s and a WBL coordinator who provided our students with opportunities to attend career and college fairs, as well as gain hands on work experiences. Our students were also given several opportunities throughout the year to take the ASVAB assessment for military enlistment. This year, we are proud to announce that fourteen students enlisted in various branches of the Armed Forces. Our senior class earned over $5 million in scholarships and more than 70% of our seniors were accepted to at least one college or university. Students enjoyed financial workshops, job interviews, held on campus and job placement. Students also received financial aid assistance, participated in dual enrollment and early college. Through our counseling department, students participated in college and university field trips, and they also participated in all state academic scholarship programs.
At Colleton County High School, education extends beyond the classroom. Our students engage in a wide range of positive programs, organizations, and athletic opportunities that foster leadership, teamwork and well-rounded growth, such as sports, NJROTC, band, chorus, STEM, NHS, TRI-M Music Honor Society, JAG and student council. This year, we had 33 students make the TRI-M Music Honor Society and our students in National Honor Society have volunteered over 4000 hours in the community. These events include helping at the elementary schools with fall festivals, community nights, and field days. Members also took part in a community clean up throughout Walterboro where they picked up 150 bags of trash.
Student Council held several fundraisers throughout the year which included selling and delivering candy grams, selling hot chocolate at lunches, community movie night, and holding a class movie day. The fundraisers and events helped raise money for student activities, student athlete goodie bags, teacher incentives, and donations to In-His Name Colleton. Student Council also helped organize pep rallies for each season of sports.
We are proud of the accomplishments of our school community and the achievements of our students. Colleton County High School and Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center will continue to lead the way for opportunities for our students to excel and grow in becoming wonderful leaders of tomorrow.
Uirica D. Bodison, Principal
Anthony Kubik, CTE Director
Mr. Glen Nixon, Board Chairperson
