Head of School Welcome
Welcome to Thomas Heyward Academy, a K-12 independent school. Ours is among the older institutions in the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). Third generation students and “life timers,” those who were enrolled as kindergartners and remain with us through their senior year, are not uncommon. The enduring nature of the principles upon which our academy was founded account for their loyalty. Yet, as surrounding counties grow, newcomers are warmly welcomed, as well.
Our priority is academics, and our program is designed to serve all students—those seeking admission to the most competitive colleges and universities and those with different objectives, including trade schools. We offer both Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment opportunities through the Technical College of the Lowcountry. Our small size allows us to serve each student based upon individual needs and objectives.
Our music program is sponsored by Mrs. G’s Music Foundation. “Mrs. G” is Mrs. Dinah Gretsch of the internationally renowned drum and guitar manufacturer, Gretsch Music. The foundation has been a generous supporter of the academy for decades.
Athletic excellence is a key component of our culture. Over the years, our teams and individual student-athletes have won SCISA state championships in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, football, golf, sporting clays, skeet, trap, and speed and strength.
Our campus features our main schoolhouse, John D. Rogers Gymnasium, Mrs. G’s Foundation Music Center, Harvey Beach Stadium, Justin Ihly Baker Field, Tradd Woods III Pavilion, a cafeteria, a practice field, a softball field, two outdoor basketball courts, and a head of school residence.
You can learn much navigating through our website. Better yet, drop by and visit. You
are always welcome.
Kind regards,
Scott K. Gibson III
Head of School
Head of School Bio
With a distinguished career in both education and the military, Scott K. Gibson III brings a wealth of leadership experience to Thomas Heyward Academy. He began his tenure at Thomas Heyward Academy in 2023 and has led schools elsewhere since 2004. Also, he teaches English grammar and coaches varsity cross-country and track & field. In addition to his administrative duties, he is a lead evaluator for Cognia/SCISA, a member of the Cognia State Advisory Council for South Carolina, and serves on The Citadel’s Professional Education Advisory Board. He chaired the Accreditation Committee at SCISA for two terms. In 2019, he was the recipient of SCISA’s Dr. Charles Aimar Award for Leadership in Education.
Before transitioning to education, he served in the US Air Force chiefly as an intelligence officer stateside and overseas in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He was airborne and air assault qualified, earned his foreign jump wings in Chad, and became a French linguist. He commanded troops at multiple levels. His staff assignments included roles with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense, and he served as the special assistant to the commander of US Special Operations Command. He retired as a colonel (O-6).
Scott was valedictorian at Boys’ Latin School, finished first in his class at The Citadel, and completed an applied research fellowship at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica. He earned graduate degrees from Georgetown University, the US Army Command & General Staff College, and Spring Hill College where he was named Outstanding MBA Graduate.