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SouthCarolina
LEAP
Beaufort School District Logo

Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway (LEAP)

About

Beaufort County School District is located along the coast of South Carolina within the culturally historic and vibrant Lowcountry. We educate nearly 22,000 students in one of South Carolina’s fastest growing counties. Our school district offers competitive salaries, full health and retirement benefits, paths for career growth, teacher mentorships, and cost-of-living supplements.

The Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway (LEAP) is an alternative certification program. You’ll get on-the-job teaching experiences, professional development, coursework, mentoring and coaching. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in one of our certification subject areas, we encourage you to apply!

If selected, you can teach in one of our certification areas and receive a teacher salary. A team of professionals will be dedicated to your growth as a teacher. Once you successfully finish the three-year program, you’ll earn your teaching certificate. 

  • Government/Nonprofit organization
  • Beaufort, SC

Institution Links

  • Online Application
  • Home to the State Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Frank Rodriguez.
  • Home to Palmetto’s Finest Award-winning school for Career and Technical Education, Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence.
  • Home of the State Induction Teacher of the Year, Mauriana Sciullo.
  • Employee retention of 86.03%
  • On-time high school graduation rate of 87.2% and over $37M awarded in scholarships
Beaufort School District Logo

Certification-only

Lowcountry Educator Alternative Program

  • From 36 to 36 months

    Program Duration

  • Hybrid

    Program Format

  • Pre-Test Required

    Yes

Relevant Links

Program

Program Info

Lowcountry Educator Alternative Program (LEAP) provides a pathway to a teaching certificate for hardworking professionals who want to work in our district to provide students with a world class education. A dedicated team will provide you with the knowledge of best practice teaching strategies through mentoring and LEAP Learning Labs. 

You will receive direct instruction and on-the-job support to ensure a smooth transition from your professional career to your teaching career.

LEAP offers ongoing opportunities to for you to plan, implement, and assess instruction aligned with South Carolina subject area standards. You will also learn how to work with parents and guardians of students and other members of the education community throughout the program.

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Deadlines

    Program Start

  • Mar. 30, 2025

    Fall

  • May 30, 2025

    Fall

Get Deadline Reminders

Application Fee & Annual Tuition

Learn how to get$100 Back
and apply for a$1000 Scholarship

  • $2,250

    In State Tuition

  • $0

    Application Fee

Ways to Lower Your Costs

Students at Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway (LEAP) have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway (LEAP) to see if you can, too!

Amount
Description

$2,250

Payroll Deduction

The cost of the three-year program is $2,250 which comes from salary deduction during the first two years.

$750

Loan Forgiveness

LEAP Fellows can apply for the SC Teacher Forgiveness Loan. The award is $750 per year. 

Certifications

Art (PK-Grade 12)
Chinese (PK-Grade 12)
English (Grades 9-12)
Mathematics (PK-Grade 12)
Middle Level Language Arts (Grades 5-8)
Middle Level Math (Grades 5-8)
Middle Level Science (Grades 5-8)
Music Education Choral Music (PK-Grade 12)
Music Education Instrumental Music (PK-Grade 12)
Science (Grades 9-12)
Social Studies (Grades 9-12)
Spanish (PK-Grade 12)

Get Started

Own the application process. Start a checklist to put yourself on track to becoming the best teacher you can be.