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Raptor Report

December 10, 2025

from AMHS Partners in Education (PIE)


Community News

PIE Stocks the Pantry One More Time for 2025 to Show Appreciation to AMHS Teachers & Staff

Earlier this week, the PIE teacher appreciation "elves" stocked the "pantry" for one last time before the holiday break! Many thanks to the support of PIE that makes this possible! Additionally, Cake Artist Laney Cowan left some amazing treats: gingerbread blondies, devil's food cake with mint chocolate, and vanilla cake with cranberries! Yum!

Parents Invited to Upcoming PIE Meeting on Dec. 15

Parents - are you interested in getting more involved with Partners in Education (PIE) and our various activities that support our students and our school?


Please join us at our next monthly meeting on Monday, December 15th at 4 pm in the AMHS Conference Room # 7235 and find out how your time or talents can help us out!

AMHS "Holidaze" is in Full Swing!

Participants Needed for Upcoming Career Symposium

Participants are needed for this year's Career Symposium on February 6, 2026! Are you an engineering, medical, or business/finance professional? We'd love you to join us for a morning of engaging with our students who are eager to hear about your career. Thanks to all those who have signed up so far for this special event!


If you are interested in participating, please fill out this Google Interest Form.

Give a gift that shows up all year! 


Our gear is in stock, but popular items sell out quickly. Grab a couple of favorites, like a sweatshirt (with pockets!), hat, or towel, and build a ready-to-wrap spirit set they’ll love.


To order, simply Venmo (@AMHSAthleticBoosterClub or Cash App ($amhsathleticbooster) and note your merch items in the payment comments.

Support AMHS Cross Country in Honoring the Memory of Beloved Coach

The Academic Magnet Boys Cross Country Team is planning a special run this December 21–23 in honor of Coach Brian Johnson. Ten current and former Magnet team runners will join together for a relay from Furman University in Greenville to Charleston Southern University, Brian’s alma maters.

 

The goal of this relay is to celebrate Brian’s life and raise funds from sponsors to give back to the communities that meant so much to him. All funds raised will be donated to three organizations that were meaningful to Brian:

 

  • The Lonon Foundation
  • Mount Pleasant Track Club
  • Academic Magnet Boys Cross Country Team

 

The team created a website with full details about the event, the running route, and sponsorship opportunities:

www.milesforcoachj.com/home

 

WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT:

  • Share the website through your social media or newsletter channels
  • Become an event sponsor (details available on the Sponsor page)
  • Any other way you would like to support these young men who are focused on celebrating a coach that meant so much to so many people

Know someone who is interested in attending Academic Magnet?


Tours for students and families interested in learning more about Academic Magnet and the CCSD School Choice process are invited to tour the school in the new year.


Interested Students Can Sign Up For Tour Dates Here (the first tour has already reached capacity).

Learn more!

Buy Senior Ads by 12/31; Weeks Left for Early Bird Yearbook Price

Yearbooks are on sale for $65 through December 31. The price increases to $75 on January 1, so now’s a great time to order.


Senior ads are also due by December 31. Make sure your student is included before the deadline!  


Visit yearbookordercenter.com and use our school code: 25698

College Planning Handbook Now Updated!

The updated AMHS College Planning Handbook is now available. This is an essential resource for students and parents navigating college applications, featuring new articles on financial aid offers, college tours, admissions interviews, and supplemental essay tips.


Find it online at this link!

Students May Request Student Peer Tutoring from NHS

Don't forget that if AMHS students need a hand with their studies, they can request help from an NHS peer tutor! The NHS Tutoring Request form is posted on the school website under students/National Honor Society. Or you can view here at this link.

**Please allow 3 to 5 days for AMHS NHS to respond to your tutoring request. We will try to make a pairing as quickly as possible, but submitting a request in advance gives us ample time to fulfill the request properly. For example, if you have a test on a Thursday, notify us by Monday or sooner that you would like to schedule a tutoring session. If you have a test on Monday, notify us by Wednesday of the previous week or sooner**

Administrative News

Remembering Mr. McCormick and Honoring His Legacy

The AMHS community was saddened with the passing this year of Mr. Tyson McCormick. He dedicated the last 20 years to Academic Magnet, where he led the Summer Scholars freshman orientation program, was the Science Department Head, and organized and managed countless trips abroad. His passion for science, travel, and his love for his students, defined a marked career.


In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a tax-deductible contribution to fund the Tyson W. McCormick Raptor Explorer Award, a scholarship endowment established with the Academic Magnet Foundation to honor his legacy. Mr. McCormick believed in the transformative power of global experiences and cultural understanding. This fund will support students at Academic Magnet High School by providing financial assistance for participation in school-sponsored international trips. Learn more and find out how to donate at www.RaptorExplorerAward.com.


updated!

School Counseling News

Leslie Pridgen

School Counselor

Grades 9 -12 Last Names: A - HOL

Leslie_Pridgen@charleston.k12.sc.us

Gabrielle Krupilis

School Counselor

Grades 9 -12 Last Names: HOM - SI

Gabrielle_Krupilis@charleston.k12.sc.us

Monica Vallejo 

Director of School Counseling  

Grades 9 -12 Last Names: SK - Z

Monica_Vallejo@charleston.k12.sc.us

SENIORS: Click here for

College Planning Guidance



How To Prepare for the 2026–27 FAFSA® Form

Prepare now so you can complete the 2026–27 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available. Here are some ways you can get ready:


FAFSA Information 



Upcoming College Visits

Colleges often visit AMHS or the Charleston area. Keep up to date by visiting this document.


Ms. Mansfield, the 2024-25 College and Career Specialist, is on the AMHS campus on Wednesdays and Thursdays during school hours.


Her email is rhiannon_mansfield@charleston.k12.sc.us 

Click here for Resume Tips!

Click here for Interview Tips!

Class Updates

Class of 2026

SAVE THE DATE! AMHS seniors will walk across the stage on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 3 pm. Graduation will be held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

Essay prompts for 2025-26 can be found here.


Learn more about the Common App here and here.


Class of 2027

Class of 2028

Class of 2029

Parent Boards

AMHS enjoys the support of three parent-led, community supported groups and an active SIC group. You can read about each group's mission and get updates below or find out more under the Parent Tab on the School Website.

AMHS PIE

Raptor Parents - Do you have a business or service that PIE might be able to partner with when looking for vendors for special events? Please let us know! Email us at: amhspie@gmail.com

Haven't joined yet? Memberships and sponsorships are still welcome even though the official campaign has ended!!! Join PIE or renew your membership or sponsorship HERE.

Next PIE Board Meeting is Monday, December 15, at 4 pm

AMHS Conference Room #7235


Please contact Kate Williams at amhspie@gmail.com with any questions.

AMHS SIC

Learn more about the AMHS School Improvement Council (SIC) here


Questions for SIC? Reach out to Chair David Northrup or Ms. GG.


The SIC Report for 2024-2025 can be found on the AMHS website. Read it at this link.

AMHS Booster

We support Raptor Athletes through membership and sponsorships.


All funding serves a variety of needs: Team Allotments, Hudl Sports Video Performance Platform, Scholarship Awards, All-Sports Banquet and Awards Ceremony, Sports Events and festivities, Senior Athlete Posters, Team Needs as requested, and MORE!

 

It's never too late to join, just click here.


Website: https://amhsbc.membershiptoolkit.com/



Email: amhssportsinfo@gmail.com

Raptors of Distinction

Help spread the good news! Got scoop on a current or former Raptor making their mark in the world? Share it with the Raptor Report here.

Clubs, Arts + Academics
The AMHS Student Newspaper. Read it here to "get the word on the birds."
Raptor Athletics

What's on the Schedule...

Contact information for all of our head varsity coaches is available here. Follow the Raptor Athletics Instagram and Facebook page for updates and/or changes. View the Raptor Athletics Website at this link.

Athletic Director: Raymond Knauer or 843.746.6376


Coach contact information is here.

Opportunities
Know of an opportunity from which AMHS students might benefit? Share it with the Raptor Report here.






Learn more at this link - Science Ambassador Scholarship

DEADLINE: 12/15/2025





Learn more at this link - Roger Kahn Scholarship

DEADLINE: 1/7/2026

Community Service + Activities

Guidance counselors will regularly post opportunities for service on students' Canvas page and those are also sometimes shared on AMHS social media accounts. Students are encouraged to find opportunities for service in their own communities. Additional opportunties that are shared with the Raptor Report are listed below.


Have a service opportunity to share? Email raptorreporteditor@gmail.com.


Volunteers are needed for the annual Walk for Autism on Saturday April 25th, 2026 from 7 am to 1:30 pm. Any students wishing to volunteer can come for part of the hours or all. If interested in volunteering please contact Rose O'Neal at 843.553.1316 or rrzoneal@hotmail.com. Volunteers will be needed in several tasks: setting up tables and tents, manning jump castles, food stations, silent auction tables, merchandise table, ticket sales and at the end of the event breaking down tables and tents along with clean up. 

One Last Thing ...

The Raptor Report is published weekly by AMHS PIE on Wednesdays during the school year except for holiday breaks.



Faculty, students, and parents are encouraged to submit articles and/or pictures of AMHS events, honors, and needs.


Please email your information to the Raptor Report Editors by 5 pm on the Monday preceding the Wednesday publication date.


Feedback or suggestions for improvement? Please send an email as well.

2024, No. 7

2023, No. 8

2020-22, No. 2

2019, No. 1