June 25, 2024
Choosing among 37 college acceptances might overwhelm some, but not Tyla Johnson.
She figured out what was more important – not having student loans – and narrowed down her options. Johnson C. Smith University, a historically Black university in Charlotte, N.C., offered her the biggest scholarships and will enable her to pursue her dream of being a forensic investigator.
“I’m not nervous about college,” Tyla said. “I feel like I’m prepared academically. It’s going to be different with a lot of people I’ve never met, but I know I’ll be fine.”
Tyla can trace her path to college back to Meeting Street Academy – Charleston, where she enrolled as a first grader. Her Mom, Tyra, had heard her friends buzzing with excitement about the Academy, which just had opened the year prior.
“We wanted something different for our kids,” Tyra said. “They are just as deserving as anyone else of a great education.”
The Academy was created to give more children the opportunity to receive an exceptional education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Although it’s a private school, it offers generous tuition assistance to families with demonstrated financial need.
The school requires parents to be strong partners in their child’s education, and that collaborative approach aligned perfectly with Tyra’s vision for what a school should be.
The Academy exceeded Tyra’s expectations, and near the end of third grade, the Johnson family faced another, unexpected choice.
An anonymous donor had created a scholarship at Porter-Gaud School, one of Charleston’s most expensive and elite private schools, for a deserving fourth grader that would continue through the student’s senior year of high school. Tyla was selected to receive that scholarship.
“I still don’t know who the person is, so I say it’s God,” Tyra said. “That opportunity wouldn’t have come our way if it weren’t for Meeting Street Academy.”
Tyla moved to Porter-Gaud, and she graduated from high school on May 25. More than 60 friends and family came to show their support.
“I posted on Facebook, ‘Thanks Porter-Gaud for hosting our family reunion!’” Tyra said as she laughed.
Now, Tyla’s younger sister is enrolled in Meeting Street Academy, and Tyra continues to be as involved as ever.
“It’s a family-oriented school,” she said. “We’ve had such a great experience.”
The 37 schools Tyla was accepted to include:
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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