News

East Point Academy is submitting a request for proposals (RFP) and subsequent contract for our Child Nutrition Program from Food Service Management Companies with services firm price per meal. Please see link for full details. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YI52RRUrBVTGtemzh2buJjIuhI2ePFIwwLcG8tbkUDI/edit?usp=sharing  
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For Immediate Release – December 8, 2022   West Columbia, SC – East Point Academy is recognizing over two dozen 8th grade students for achieving high scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT 8/9). The highest score possible on the PSAT 8/9 is a 1440.   28 East Point Academy 8th grade students took the...
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Dear Parent or Guardian,  We now have a new Point of Sale system for meals purchased at East Point Academy that allows us to utilize the K12 Payment Center. The following steps will guide you through the process of setting up your account that will allow you to see your students balances and make payments.  If...
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ATTENTION PARENTS:  Even though all meals were free for all students last school year the following will be implemented for this school year (2022/23) Reduced Full Pay Breakfast $.30 $2.90 Lunch $.40 $3.90   Lunch Applications were still required last school year All parents were notified of their status for 2021/22 If your status was Free...
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East Point Academy and the PAC (Palmetto Athletic Center) are teaming up this summer for a Parents Night Out Event! It’s being held on Saturday, August 13th from 5pm-9pm. Kids ages 5 to 12 will be able to enjoy swimming, dinner, ice cream, arts & crafts, inflatables, games, etc. The cost is $20 and pre-registration is...
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West Columbia,SC – Summer is upon us and so is the heat. The Famously Hot City is heating up quickly and as we’ve seen in recent days the temperatures are reaching over 100 degrees. We know that many families are out and about, so we want to make sure everyone stays safe and cool. Several law...
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West Columbia, SC–  The staff and teachers at East Point Academy have worked harder and smarter than ever to continue the school’s legacy of excellence while reacting to the COVID-19 public health crisis. The school has not missed a beat over the last two years. It has opened its doors every school-day providing rigorous academics with...
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West Columbia,SC – On March 11th, eight, fourth and fifth graders from East Point Academy Elementary Campus participated in the 66th annual UofSC Regional II Science and Engineering Fair. Each year around 50 schools from across the midlands with approximately 500 students in grades 4th through 12th participate in this academic challenge. The event celebrates excellence...
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West Columbia, SC– What are the chances? Wrapping up the 20/21 school year, 7th grade students at East Point Academy hosted a Probability Carnival. The project, created by teachers Jodi Collier and Aimee Lindstrom, required students to create a carnival game, figure out the probability of winning the game, and track the amount of wins compared...
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West Columbia, SC– Demonstrating excellence in building a student recycling program, East Point Academy has been awarded two Green Step Awards in addition to being named a “Green Steps School” by the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina for conservation. The award was presented to club leader and Science teacher Huaying “Tracy” Jiang, and East Point...
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West Columbia, SC– Twenty six point two miles, two campuses, hundreds of cheering students, and one motivated teacher; East Point Academy Physical Education teacher Elease Anderson ran the Boston Marathon virtually at the school on October 8th. “Completing the Boston Marathon has always been a dream of mine since I was in middle school.  Boston is...
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West Columbia, SC– In keeping with East Point Academy’s motto, “Merging Cultures. Inspiring Minds. Expanding Horizons,” students at the Middle Campus now have the option to choose Spanish or Mandarin language courses. While East Point Academy will continue to offer a rich Mandarin language program, this move aims to provide parents and students at the middle...
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West Columbia, SC– East Point Academy opened its doors August 18th to over 800 students as it ushered in ten years of serving students as the premier public language immersion Charter School in South Carolina. East Point Academy started modestly in a former “Sandy’s Hotdog” storefront with 89 students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Today, the...
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West Columbia, SC– Celebrating a school year spent together, the Boyz 2 Men club at East Point Academy planned a week of service and fun. The first “Chill We’re Almost to the End Week” included “Dress Like A Staff Member” day, the launch of the virtual “Real Men Read Library,” a day for rocking bow ties...
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West Columbia, SC – East Point Academy was honored for its focus on “Rigorous Academics with a Global Focus” by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) with the 2021 Global Engagement Initiative Award.  This prestigious national award recognizes outstanding world language learning experiences which challenge students and engage the community.  The award...
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West Columbia, SC – Navigating the COVID-19 public health crisis was a bit easier for East Point Academy thanks to a partnership with Nephron Pharmaceuticals. Forged last September, the partnership provided resources and expertise that helped keep the school safe and healthy for students and staff.  Early in the pandemic, when most businesses and schools were...
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East Point Academy Seeks Requests for Proposals for Comprehensive Lawn & Yard Services for Both Campuses.  Responsive proposals will include: Mowing grounds are both campuses Basic edging and weeding at both campuses General lawn and yard upkeep at both campuses All RFPs must be received electronically to ahart@eastpointsc.org by 10th of November.  Questions can also be...
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West Columbia, SC– With a commitment to providing a rich and full educational experience for aspiring teachers and school students, East Point Academy and  Newberry College Education Department established a partnership agreement. The partnership aims to enhance Newberry College Education Department by providing future educators a space to gain practical experience and professional development. In turn,...
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West Columbia, SC– Creating new traditions during a difficult year, East Point Academy celebrated April’s Fools Day with a school-wide “Pandas Got Jokes” knock-knock joke contest. Golden door statues awaited the winners as students from each homeroom delivered their joke before a panel of jolly judges. The competition was safely enjoyed via live stream by students...
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West Columbia, SC– Arts integration is a fundamental piece of the curriculum at East Point Academy. Eighth grader Ava Rodriguez has honed her talent during her time at the school, and has been selected as a Jr. Artist in Artfields for her piece “Sonder.” Housed out of Lake City, SC, ArtFields is a diverse arts competition,...
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West Columbia, SC– When East Point Academy 1st grade teacher Lindsey Fallaw read a news story about Johnston Elementary school rallying around 1st grader Lamere Johnson’s upcoming heart surgery, she knew her class would want to help as well. Her first graders enthusiastically jumped on board coming up with the idea of the “Path to Heath...
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West Columbia, SC– Focusing on giving during the month of  February, the East Point Academy Middle Campus Beta Club hosted a “Heart for Giving” carline canned food drive. Over 300 pounds for canned food was donated directly to Harvest Hope food bank. The innovative set up enabled students to collect the food while maintaining physical distance. ...
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“During this public health crisis, our teachers have adapted their classes to Synchronous Learning that is engaging to all students, both on and off campus,” said Middle Campus Assistant Principal, Bruce Moseley when reflecting on the 20/21 school year. Working under unusual circumstances, the educators at East Point Academy have excelled in providing safe, effective, 5...
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West Columbia, SC– Offering students the option to learn 5 days in person from highly-trained teachers was a top priority for Leadership at East Point Academy when planning for the 20/21 school year. In a time when much was unknown, the school looked towards public health science and safety guidelines to create a learning environment that...
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West Columbia, SC– With a laser focus on providing students and staff the safest environment possible during the ongoing pandemic, public charter school East Point Academy signed a COVID testing partnership with Nephron Pharmaceuticals. The agreement allows any current East Point Academy staff member or student access to a very reliable COVID-19 test with a normal...
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West Columbia, SC– Sustaining East Point Academy’s tradition of excellence, Assistant Principal (AP) for Language Immersion, Junlan Li, was recently honored with the Ai Ling Guan Educator Prize. This prize is awarded annually to educators who work in the field of Chinese Language Education across Canada and the United States. For 2020, the prize committee selected...
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Although the end of the school year looked differently than planned, the Panda family came together to pull off two special celebrations.: a”Honk & Wave” at the Elementary Campus, and a “Graduation Parade” at Middle Campus. Check out our highlight videos.
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Congratulations to a successful season! The girl’s finished the year off at 7-4. With such a young team, we look forward to future seasons! The following awards were presented at our virtual awards meeting: Most Improved Player: Taylor Caughman Rookie of the Year: Kameria McCoy Offensive Player of the Year: Bella Pearce Defensive Player of the...
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This season was a huge success for our Boys Basketball team! East Point won a school record 11 game. In our first year competing with local and regional public schools, along with private schools in the area, we compiled an 11-9 season. We ended the season on a 6 game winning streak to solidify a winning...
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West Columbia, SC– Celebrating creativity throughout crisis, East Point Academy 5th grader Olivia Li earns top prize for her self-portrait in the state-wide Youth Art Month! contest. The show is sponsored by the South Carolina Art Education Association, which “…advances visual arts education to fulfill human potential and promote global understanding” (SCAEA.org). About winning the prize,...
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West Columbia, SC–  Under the guidance of science teachers, Sun Laoshi, Huang Laoshi, Jiang Laoshi, Ms. Bowden and Ms. Mann students at East Point Academy took home eight awards at USC Central South Carolina 64th  Annual Region II Science & Engineering Fair. Students in grades 4th-8th began working on projects in the Fall. This was the...
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West Columbia, SC– Wearing a panda onesie, and playing upbeat music from a speaker, East Point Academy P.E.Coach, Elease Anderson, surprises students from a safe distance on their birthdays. One such student was 10-year old Lilly Wilson, “I was so surprised to see Coach Anderson!…When she started dancing I could not stop laughing! I loved it...
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East Point Academy Seeks Requests for Proposals for Comprehensive Accounting and Human Resources Systems and Support for the 20/21 school year.  Responsive proposals will include: Finance AP/AR FED/State grant management Monthly financial statements Daily access to financial balances Support monthly board meetings in person Interface with auditors for the annual audit  other routine financial services Human Resources...
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Students from across South Carolina arrived at Presbyterian College recently to compete in the 11th Annual Palmetto Chinese Star competition. Participants at the prestigious event ranged in age from kindergarten  to college, and they showcased a variety of language and cultural skills, with one student being crowned the Palmetto Star.   This year, the honor of Palmetto...
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Governor McMasters awarded the Order of the Palmetto to East Point Academy Head of School Mark A. Bounds for extraordinary service and achievements across the state of South Carolina. Bounds was recognized for his “…servant’s heart, and inspiring guidance” at East Point Academy’s annual Chinese New Year Gala by Joan Hoffman, President of East Point Academy’s...
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West Columbia, S.C. – Lions, dragons, dancing, and music streamed through the hallways of East Point Academy for the annual Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration. Arts integration was on full display with student performances in Chinese Dance, Chorus, Strings and Orchestra, Drum Team, Theatre, and live calligraphy painting. Celebrations began with a traditional Dragon Dance...
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Over 740 students at East Point Academy collaborated on a sign making project designed to encourage students to choose kindness and speak up against bullying, as part of October’s Bullying Prevention Month activities. Each homeroom, at both the elementary and middle campuses, received a blank yard sign and some art supplies and worked as a team...
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  The Bilingualism Matters Executive Board at the University of South Carolina College of Education welcomed new member, Mark Bounds, on October 9, 2019 at their monthly meeting. Bounds will assist the Board with outreach, creating relationships and advisement on matters of primary education policy. Bounds has spent over 20 years in education and currently serves...
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Students in Nikki Dixon’s second grade classes at East Point Academy recently had the opportunity to adopt a stuffed animal as a part of their new Reading Buddies program. East Point parent and technology integration specialist Channing Anderson donated the materials needed to get the program started. “As the parent of a child who lacks motivation...
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East Point Academy was named Columbia’s Best Private or Charter School for the second year running and received an Honorable Mention for Columbia’s Best After School Program yesterday in the Free Times Columbia’s Best competition.
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We are thrilled to be named the #2 Charter School in South Carolina by Niche!
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On Friday, June 7th, East Point Academy hosted a Career Carnival, showcasing a wide variety of job fields by some of Columbia’s best talent. “We are providing a rich and rigorous education to the students we serve,” said East Point Head of School Mark Bounds, “Our Career Carnival, which is just one small piece of that,...
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Students of East Point Academy participated in the 10th Annual Palmetto Chinese Star competition at the University of South Carolina on Saturday, February 23, taking home first, second and third place awards in the middle division and second and third place awards in the elementary division. East Point Academy was also recognized with an “Outstanding Organization”...
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East Point Academy has been alive with excitement throughout the month of February as students, staff and community members came together to celebrate Black History Month. The school’s tagline is, “Merging Cultures. Inspiring Minds. Expanding Horizons.” Each day, the morning announcements started off with a Black History Month trivia question. All students had the opportunity to...
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Thank you to all or the teachers, staff members, students and families who make us worthy of this honor.
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We are thrilled to announce that East Point has been voted Best Private or Charter School by the readers of the FreeTimes.
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February 28, 2018 – Students of East Point Academy (EPA) participated in the 9th Annual Palmetto State Chinese Star Contest at Presbyterian College on Saturday, February 24, taking home first, second and third place awards, with 16 performances from 15 of their students. The Palmetto State Chinese Star Contest provides a stage for students in colleges and K-12 schools...
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忠犬新春送旺,东点喜事连连 ——-南卡东点书院期待戊戌狗年再创佳绩 2018年3月12日是中国的传统佳节元宵节,位于南卡州哥伦比亚的东点书院(East Point Academy)里热闹非凡。来自的南卡大学孔子学院的岳晓彤和刘傲雪老师为东点的老师们带来了亲手制作的元宵,东点的中美两国老师在一起庆祝元宵节。 作为南卡罗莱纳州唯一一家公立全中文浸泡式特许学校,东点书院的中国新年庆祝活动,从除夕开始,一直持续到元宵节。在除夕当天,东点还举行了一年一度的中国新年游行,而走在游行队伍的最前面,则是东点书院校长马克·邦兹(Mark Bounds)。邦兹先生手擎龙珠,引领金龙上下翻滚,来回穿梭,引来学生们和家长们一片欢笑。在接下来的春节晚会上,东点的学生们给众多来宾表演了中国传统武术、歌曲、舞蹈、乐器、话剧等精彩纷呈的节目。来自南卡大学孔子学院的特邀嘉宾李越院长还从中国给东点的学生带来了十分别致、吉祥的小狗玩具作为新年礼物。中外来宾与全体东点师生一起度过了一个热闹祥和的中国新年。 2018年 是农历戊戌狗年,中国人喜欢称之为旺旺年。东点沉浸式中文项目协调人(Chinese Immersion program Coordinator)李君兰老师介绍说,在过去的一年里,东点学院在新一任校长马克·邦兹(Mark Bounds)和全体师生员工的共同努力之下, 与南卡大学孔院和哥伦比亚华人协会精诚合作,取得了不菲的成果,可谓是喜事连连。 首先是学校在中国语言文化推广和提高专业教学水平上的卓越成效获得了广大家长和各界社会的认可,先后被包括 The State, West  Metro News, Cola Daily, World Journal等多家新闻媒体报道,并被Niche网站评为南卡州七十二家特许学校中的第八名。 在2018年2月24日举行的的第九届南卡州中文之星大赛中,东点所有十五名参赛选手均获佳绩,独揽大赛各个组别的一等奖和若干二、三等奖 ,为参赛代表队中获奖最多的一支代表队。 最振奋人心的是,经过东点校董事会、校长马克·邦兹和沉浸式中文项目协调人李君兰等多方共同努力,就在狗年的正月初一,南卡教育部经过严格审查,批准了东点提交的关于东点初中毕业生通过参加汉语语言水平测试来申请免修计入高中学分的申请。从今年三月起,东点的八年级学生都将在初中毕业前通过参加汉语考试来分别获得中文一、中文二、和中文三的高中学分。这不但让东点的学生多年学习汉语的努力得到了认可,也为学生将来的高中生活提供了一个更高的起点,为学生将来更大的成功奠定了坚实的基础。这一大好消息极大地鼓舞了包括诸多华裔学生在内的所有东点学子们继续努力学好中文的积极性。 李君兰老师还指出,作为南北卡中文沉浸式学校的领军人物,校长马克·邦兹(Mark Bounds)自上任以来,一直致力于将中国文化融入东点教学生活的各个方面。而李君兰老师自己多年来也一直在做好本职教学和项目协调工作的前提下,努力向东点社区的各个族裔介绍和推广中国文化,努力提高诸多身在异乡的东点华人的民族自信心,增进各个其他族裔对中国文化传统的了解和尊重。在校长马克·邦兹和李君兰老师的积极推动下,东点人充分认识到中国新年对于学习中国文化的重要性,同时也为对在东点辛苦耕耘的中国老师和包括孔院、华协等在内的各个给予东点支持的中国社区的团体表示最崇高的敬意和感谢,校董会最终于狗年的第一次校董会大会上正式通过校长的提议,从2019年起,中国新年将作为东点的节日写进新一个学年的日历,全校放假一天。自此,东点正式成为南北卡第一家中国新年全校放假的公立学校,为南北卡州的文化多样性和包容性领域奉献了里程碑式的一大步。 展望狗年,东点全体中美教师都是信心满满,力争学校更上层楼。校长马克·邦兹(Mark Bounds)表示,在新的一年里,东点将继续加强与南卡大学孔院、哥伦比亚华人协会以及南卡华人社区的合作,秉着文化融合、启发心智、扩大视野的培养目标,教育出更多中美交流的使者,为促进中美文化交流做出更多的贡献, 也为提高南卡的整体教育水平尽一份力。   March 2nd, 2018 marked the Chinese Lantern Festival which is the end of China’s biggest holiday, Chinese New Year. Visiting scholars from the Confucius Institute, Xiaotong Yue and Aoxue Liu, made and shared the Chinese traditional food for Lantern Festival,  bean past filled...
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East Point Academy has been abuzz with activity as the school and community celebrates Chinese New Year and the ringing in of the Year of the Dog. The celebration kicked off with the sixth annual Chinese New Year Celebration and Auction on February 9, 2018 at the River Center at Saluda Shoals Park. East Point business...
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    East Point Academy will be holding their sixth annual Chinese New Year Celebration and Auction on February 9, 2018 at the River Center at Saluda Shoals Park. The event includes dinner, dancing, a band and entertainment from traditional Chinese performers. The centerpiece of the event is an auction where guests can bid on trips,...
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Join us September 26, for this one-of-a-kind event and fundraiser, honoring the mid-autumn festival celebrated in many Asian countries.
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