OCA Schedule | 10/22/2026 11:58:00 AM
Mt. Pleasant, SC - On the October 13 episode of Kids First, Keven Cohen welcomed Dr.
Kelly Linkenhoker, principal of Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant, joined by South Carolina Public Charter School District Superintendent Chris Neeley.
Fresh off her move from Virginia, Linkenhoker shares her contagious enthusiasm for a school that is truly reimagining what high school can look like. At the heart of it is a flexible half-day, split-session model that frees students in the afternoons to chase what matters to them, whether that is an internship, a job, athletics, or specialized training, and still be home in time for family dinner. Even more striking is Oceanside's collegiate approach, where students can earn up to 60 college credits tuition-free while completing their high school diploma, giving them a powerful head start and sparing families a significant financial burden.
Linkenhoker explained how this small, family-centered, student-driven culture helps young people build the independence, time management, and confidence they will need long after graduation, all while being supported every step of the way. She and Chris explore the real-world pathways that set the school apart, from a nursing track to an aviation program where students can earn a pilot's license before they ever graduate, and celebrate Oceanside's recent "Excellent" rating on the state report card.
The conversation also turned to the school's deep commitment to service and character, including a heartwarming moment this fall when Oceanside welcomed Superintendent Neeley's son as an honorary member of its football team, an experience of belonging that helped inspire the school's brand-new designation as a Unified Champion School. It is an energizing, heartfelt look at a school proving that putting kids first means seeing the whole child.
About Oceanside Collegiate Academy:Â 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.Â
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.
