Berkeley County School District would like to acknowledge four schools for once again earning ABC Advancement Grants for the 2026-2027 school year.
H.E. Bonner, Howe Hall AIMS, Philip Simmons Elementary and Philip Simmons Middle regularly receive this grant, funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission (or SCAC), to support their schools in implementing standards-based arts curricula and make the arts and integral part of everyday classroom instruction.
ABC Schools Advancement grantees are part of the larger Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Institute, which is overseen by a steering committee of approximately 50 members including artists, educators, school administrators, representatives of higher education, business leaders and governmental representatives. Only public, private or charter schools holding active ABC-certified school status are eligible to apply for an ABC Advancement Grant.
ABC Schools Advancement grants provide support for ongoing comprehensive planning, strategic projects, and implementation of standards-based arts education initiatives, including but not limited to artist residencies. Currently there are 66 ABC-Certified Schools in South Carolina, some of which have been ABC schools since the Institute’s inception as the ABC Project.
The following grant spending for the ABC Certified Schools is based on their arts education strategic plan; it should be noted that what is listed reflects projections of the schools’ final reports submitted back in May, and the information could change as their plans evolve.
H.E. Bonner Elementary received $16,000. Funds will support its after-school clubs. These programs all focus dance, theatre, music and visual art. The schools’ clubs include steel pan, beginner band, chorus, drama club, set design, art club, Red dance company and Gold dance company.
Howe Hall AIMS will use its $13,000 to fund getting artists in residence to come and work with the students. The grant will also go toward professional development for the teachers.
Philip Simmons Middle plans to use its $13,000 to purchase new fine arts material, including instructional supplies for art, band and theatre. The funds will also cover travel costs for educational conferences for professional development, like the Palmetto Arts Education Association annual conference.
Philip Simmons Elementary will receive $13,000 to go toward artist residencies, professional development, field trips to fine arts performances and assorted arts supplies and equipment.