SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Earns Renewed Certification as an Arts in Basic Curriculum School

The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities has been recertified as an Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) School, a designation that recognizes its commitment to arts education as a fundamental component of student development. This certification, granted through the ABC Institute, signifies that the Governor’s School continues to serve as a state and national model for integrating the arts into education.

“Being certified as an ABC School means your school is ready and willing to serve as a model for others across the state and across the nation,” said Dr. Kim Wilson, Director of the ABC Institute. “ABC Schools know the ‘why’ behind their often unconventional and courageous choices. They can provide the pedagogical rationale, evidence, and data to support those choices, and models of practice to clearly communicate the benefits of the arts to others.”

To achieve ABC certification, schools must develop and implement a five-year arts education strategic plan, demonstrating a sustained commitment to arts-integrated learning. Schools must also engage in grant-writing, creative partnerships, and specialized professional development to ensure the arts remain at the core of student learning.

“ABC Certified Schools believe that the arts are an essential component in the basic curriculum and are central to student development,” Dr. Wilson continued. “Each school is unique, but all understand how to make meaningful connections to art in all aspects of life and learning. They recognize how an arts-rich environment inspires creativity and how the arts play a key role in shaping both a diverse student body and an inclusive school culture.”

Through its renewed ABC certification, the Governor’s School remains eligible for ABC Advancement Grants from the South Carolina Arts Commission, which support schools committed to implementing standards-based arts curricula and integrating the arts into daily classroom instruction. Governor’s School will continue to collaborate with local businesses, organizations, and individuals to strengthen its vision of arts-infused education. 

"We are thrilled to be recertified as an ABC school, and we are thankful for the process as well as this great outcome,” said Dr. Jennifer Thomas, Dean of Arts and Academics for the Governor’s School. “ It's been a powerful, collaborative effort to demonstrate how we achieve and will continue to support artistic excellence. We identified points of pride and found opportunities for growth in the years ahead. What could be better?"

The Governor’s School’s renewed certification underscores its leadership in arts education and its ongoing mission to nurture young artists through rigorous academic and artistic training. To see a full list of ABC Certified Schools and learn more about the ABC Institute, visit ABCInstituteSC.org.