About

THA is pleased to announce the selection of Col Scott K. Gibson III, USAF (ret.), as our next Head
of School. His service as Head of School will begin in Academic Year 2023-24.
Col Gibson comes to us from a fellow SCISA school, Lowcountry Preparatory School, where he
spent the past 11 years. He previously served as Head of School elsewhere for an additional seven
years. At SCISA, he serves as the chairman of both the Accreditation Committee and the Strategic
Planning Committee. He is additionally a member of the SCISA Board of Directors. He is the 2019
winner of SCISA’s Dr. Charles S. Aimar Educational Leadership Award.
In his first career, he spent 22 years as a commissioned officer in the US Air Force. He commanded
troops at three levels, including a squadron of 200 and an on-scene group of 1,200 in Kuwait. He
was airborne and air assault qualified and earned his foreign jump wings while assigned to US
Embassy N’djamena in Chad. His staff assignments included service as special assistant to the four-
star commander of US Special Operations Command. With regard to education, he was the valedictorian of Boys’ Latin School and at the age of 16 enrolled at The Citadel where he finished first in his class with a BS in Biology. His graduate
degrees include an MS in International Relations from Troy University, an MA in National Security
Studies from Georgetown University, an MMAS in Military History from the US Army Command &
General Staff College, and an MBA from Spring Hill College. He completed an applied research
fellowship at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica.
He met his wife, Kathy, in Charleston where she attended the College of Charleston. They have been
married 37 years and for the past 11 years have been members of Prince George Winyah Church in
Georgetown. Their daughter, Courtney, is a lieutenant in the US Navy where she serves in the
medical corps as a psychologist. Their son, Kendall, recently completed his service as a lieutenant in
the Navy as a submariner and is now employed by Ernst and Young.
Fitting that our newly selected Head of School is both a distinguished scholar and military officer, as
was Thomas Heyward, the Revolutionary War leader and signer of the Declaration of Independence
for whom our school is named. Also, fitting is the strong friendship between Head of School Ben
Herod and Col Gibson have become good friends over the years serving both as SCISA Heads
and as accreditation evaluators.

Please join us in welcoming Col Scott K. Gibson III as our next Head of School!

Thomas Heyward Academy is an independent, college preparatory school serving Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.
 

Our Mission is to foster a lifelong passion for learning, leading, and serving in a diverse world. We are dedicated to the development of each student in mind and body through academics, arts, and athletics in a safe and engaging environment.

The school is equally committed to the development of each student’s character, with an emphasis on our core values:

Compassion: A deep feeling for and understanding of others without regard to race, age creed, or social standing. This includes kindness, generosity, forgiveness, caring, friendship, love, and sharing toward all people including the physically and mentally challenged.

Integrity: A steady and faithful observance of a code of moral values. This includes honesty in word and deed and a sense of right and wrong.

Perseverance:  The inner strength to remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles. This includes dedication, consistency, and having a positive attitude.

Respect:  Having a high regard for oneself and others. This includes self-worth, pride, physical well-being, contentment, peace, humor, appreciation for differences and individuality, fairness, and tolerance.

Responsibility:  Being reliable and following through on commitments. This includes being responsible for your actions as a family member, teacher, student, and citizen. It also includes demonstrating your responsibility through having self-control and helping others.

why choose THA?
 

· Independent, College Prep School Serving K1-12th Grade
· Excellence in Academics with 100% College Acceptance
· Expanding Technology and STEM Program
· Full Day-Year Round-K1, K2, K3 Program
· After School and Summertime Program
· Outstanding Music Program-Sponsored by Mrs. G’s Music Foundation
· Dual College Enrollment for 11th and 12th Grade High School Students
· AdvancED  and SACS Accreditation
· Competitive Athletics Program including Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Sporting Clays, Cheerleading, and
   Wrestling

Our ultimate goal at THA is to continue to provide our students a safe and loving environment with a strong education to be successful in their future endeavors.

Thomas Heyward Academy, located in Ridgeland, SC serves the needs of students from K2 to 12th grade.  THA is a member of and is accredited by the South Carolina Association of Independent Schools (SCISA). Thomas Heyward Academy was the first institution to receive SCISA Advanced Accreditation which is the highest accreditation awarded by the Association. THA is a non-profit corporation managed by a Board of Directors.