OCA Calendar | 8/20/2025 3:12:00 PM

Mt. Pleasant, SC – It really doesn't seem that long ago. Vintage-fit jeans were back in style and old-school logos were making their mark. Theaters were full of summer blockbuster movies featuring heroes (Captain America and the X-Men), anti-heroes (Harley Quinn) and animated animals (The Secret Life of Pets and Finding Dory).

It was the summer when Drake was rapping about "One Dance", which became the longest-running top 10 single of the decade, and Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling" from the Trolls soundtrack had everyone on their feet.

The summer of 2016 was also about Pokémon GO, which pushed everyone outdoors in pursuit of their favorite characters on their cell phones.

That summer was also a time of transition nationally as the races for the November elections heated up.

In Charleston County, change was coming to the way high school students would see their academic futures. It was during that summer that a hard-working and dedicated crew of educators was preparing to open a new kind of high school. That school, Oceanside Collegiate Academy (OCA), would offer its students a small, safe and family-centered place to learn and grow.

Over the last 10 years, OCA has continued to grow,, and the future remains bright for the Landsharks as the school celebrates its 10th school-year anniversary this year.

In 2016, Oceanside Collegiate Academy opened its doors in a small fishing village of McClellanville in northern Charleston County. About 30 miles from  OCA's permanent location in Mt. Pleasant, McClellanville had a population of just 600 people—half than the number of students who will be walking the OCA halls this year. 

"The vision was to be more than just a place of learning, but a small, safe, family-centered community where students could discover their strengths both academically and athletically, build lifelong friendships, and prepare for the challenges of the world," long-time school receptionist Kathleen Iriart said. "Over the past decade, we have grown from our very first graduating class of 19 students to a thriving, dynamic community of scholars, athletes and leaders."

Now serving as the Principal at Oceanside Collegiate, Christina Brown has also been a Landshark from the start. She was on the staff at the start and became principal in 2021.

"As we celebrate our 10th school year, I'm filled with gratitude for the journey we've shared," Brown said. "This anniversary is a moment to reflect on our achievements, but it's also an opportunity to recognize the incredible teamwork that has defined our school. It's the tireless effort of our staff and the unwavering support from our community that has shaped us into what we are today. We've built a legacy of excellence, and I'm excited to continue this partnership."

The gratitude from within OCA to the many who have made the school's success possible can be seen and heard throughout the campus.

"As we celebrate Oceanside Collegiate Academy's 10th anniversary, it's important to pause and reflect on the people who made this milestone possible," OCA Board Chair Christopher Swisher said. "To the visionaries who founded the school, the teachers and staff who built its culture, the administrators who guided its growth, and most importantly, the families and students who chose to make OCA their home— thank you all. Your belief in Oceanside has shaped it into the progressive and thriving school we have today."

OCA students have enjoyed tremendous academic success—earning millions of dollars in scholarships and accumulating many hours of college credit while still in high school, significantly reducing the impact of a college education on their parents and families. 

Assistant principal Beth Shackel-Scott, a Landshark since the school's earliest days, is still awed by what has been accomplished in such a short time.

"The academic honors of our students and school, the college credits that can be earned for free, the overall growth of our school—all of it returns to the foundation created in those early years," Shackel-Scott said. "It has not been easy, and there have been bumps along the way, but Oceanside has persevered despite the doubters. 

"I have been given the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself at Oceanside—to be a small part of a student's 'becoming,' to share many moments of laughter with colleagues, and to truly enjoy coming to work each day."

Science teacher Laramie Wiesman said his reward comes from seeing former students grow.

"In my four years at Oceanside, it has been incredibly rewarding to watch my former Biology and Chemistry Honors students grow from eager freshmen and sophomores into confident graduates, ready to take on college and beyond," Wieseman said. "Seeing their achievements and growth, both in the classroom and in their athletic endeavors, has been the highlight of my time here.  I look forward to being a part of OCA's continued evolution and growth in the years to come."

The Landsharks have also excelled in athletic competition. Since winning a state title in girls' golf in just their second year of operation, OCA has earned 40 state championships across 19 sports and produced 37 individual state champions. More than 271  OCA student-athletes have secured athletic scholarships in the schools' short history.

"It's hard to believe it's already been 10 years," longtime OCA Director of Athletics and girls' soccer coach Mark Meyer said. "That first year, hoofing it up to McClellanville every day for practice, seems like yesterday. We started off training in a gym that looked much like the one in Hoosiers and behind a church in Awendaw that was full of ants.  Now, we've been in the current school building for nine years with a nice gym, weight room, and more—and we are nearing completion on our sparkling new stadium. It's been a true pleasure to have been here since the beginning and to be a part of so many people's efforts to accomplish this."

Shackel-Scott reflected on those early days.

"It would be hard to put into words that first year we spent in McClellanville other than 'special'," she said. 

"We were made up of a staff and a school community who believed in the vision and mission and had a truly solution- driven mindset. It was a group of people who saw a need and literally built a school in the classroom and on the athletic fields, going above and beyond to the families we serve. A decade later, this is still true."

Math teacher Jenny Cassell, another founding faculty member, recalls how real the school quickly became.

"When we started that first August, I noticed the name Oceanside on kids' binders and t-shirts," Cassell said. "It almost was like 'Wow, this is a real school'  Later, seeing bumper stickers throughout town really made me feel proud that we were an option for our local community. Oceanside is the school this community wanted, needed and built."

For Cassell, OCA has also been about family.

"I have had so many siblings from previous years in my classes," she said. "In one family I am teaching their youngest now, and I have taught all four of their children.. That is what makes me feel the most rooted here. You don't work or coach at our school without establishing close relationships with families. I love our family culture and the team mindset.

Reflecting on a decade of growth brings smiles to the long-time staff.

"Here we are today, a full decade later, surrounded by the laughter, energy, and stories of hundreds of students who have walked these halls," Iriart said. "This isn't just a reflection of the past 10 years, but a celebration of every person who's been part of the journey—the students, parents, teachers, staff, coaches and alumni.  

"We've cheered for our athletes, marveled at our academic achievements, and applauded every moment of courage.  And we've built traditions that make us beam with pride as Landsharks. Beyond all the awards, trophies and events, what really stands out is the way our school has shaped lives. We've seen students walk in shy and unsure and walk out as confident leaders."

The 10th Anniversary celebration will be felt throughout the 2025-26 school year, with a special kickoff on September 6 at the Landshark Festival & Market featuring music, games, food, and more. Other events, such as the Gala Celebration and an Oyster Roast, will follow.

Throughout the past 10 years, OCA has remained true to its original mission of providing students a small, safe, and family-centered environment to learn in and grow.

"In our society today, everyone thinks bigger is better, and we continue to need more," Shackel-Scott said. "I hope that in this 10th year, our school community takes the time to pause and reflect—that we can take a minute to celebrate our humble beginnings. I hope we can truly work together over the next 10 years to benefit ALL the students who walk our halls each day."

The growth at Oceanside Collegiate Academy is ongoing, with plans for additional programs and educational opportunities for the next generation of Landsharks.

"One of our priorities moving forward is to help the broader Charleston community better understand what Oceanside truly represents," Swisher said. "While our athletic programs are a source of pride, Oceanside is not just a half-day school for athletes. In fact, nearly half of our students do not participate in sports at OCA.  

"We are a full academic institution offering rigorous collegiate coursework, individualized learning, and unique scheduling flexibility, all within a safe, small, family-centered environment. Our model provides students the best of both worlds: a high-quality education and the ability to pursue their passions—whether in sports, the arts, community service or other disciplines. This balance is what makes Oceanside truly unique, and it will remain our foundation as we build the next decade together."

The phrase most often repeated on the OCA campus came from that first year, and it is still repeated daily by students, faculty and staff:

"There are plenty of fish in the sea, but we chose to be a shark. It was originally from an English teacher's bulletin board our first year in McClelanville, and now it's our motto," Cassell said. "Everyone here wants to be here and that makes the biggest difference."

"As we look ahead to the next 10 years, we can't help but imagine what's to come," Iriart said. "We'll have new faces in the classrooms, new sports teams, new clubs and new athletic facilities. We've come a long way in just 10 years.

"The one thing that will never change is Oceanside Collegiate Academy will always be a place where students are seen, where everyone belongs to a family, and where you're encouraged to be your very best self throughout all your endeavors," Brown said. "Never, ever forget—you chose to be a Shark!"

So, here's to the next decade of learning, laughter, challenges and triumphs. The best is yet to come!

About Oceanside Collegiate Academy: Oceanside Collegiate Academy (OCA), located in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while earning up to two years of college credit. OCA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades

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Learn more about OCA by visiting our website at OceansideCollegiate.Academy and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and X. For video content, visit our YouTube channel.