The South Carolina Junior Scholars Program was developed by the State Department of Education during the 1985-86 school year to identify eighth-grade students with exceptional academic talent and to determine strategies for their inclusion in special programs. The program includes a process for screening a potential talent pool of students, identifying and recognizing those students with exceptionally high scholastic achievement and intellectual ability, and sponsoring summer opportunities in collaboration with participating South Carolina colleges and universities. Students are screened and identified in the eighth grade.

Each school recognizes its qualifying eighth grade students. Students also receive an Award of Merit from the State Department of Education and are invited to attend summer opportunities at participating South Carolina colleges and universities.

Eligibility Criteria: (1) Students must attend school in South Carolina and be enrolled in the eighth grade. (2) Students must have scored advanced or proficient in English language arts and mathematics on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) in the seventh grade.

Identification Criteria: (1) Eligible students who score greater than or equal to 50 on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in verbal, math, or writing will be identified as South Carolina Junior Scholars. (2) Students who participated in Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP) during their seventh-grade year, who met the eligibility requirements as outlined by that program, and who were identified and recognized by Duke TIP will be automatically identified as South Carolina Junior Scholars.

Philosophy: The South Carolina Junior Scholars Identification and Development Program reflects the growing statewide effort to improve education in South Carolina and responds to the needs of students possessing unique abilities. The purpose of the program is to identify students with exceptionally high scholastic achievement and intellectual ability and to provide opportunities for these students that will facilitate their intellectual growth, broaden their individual interests, and promote their scholastic achievement.