West Columbia, SC- Governor McMasters awarded the Order of the Palmetto to East Point Academy Head of School Mark A. Bounds for extraordinary service and achievements across the state of South Carolina. Bounds was recognized for his “...servant’s heart, and inspiring guidance” at East Point Academy’s annual Chinese New Year Gala by Joan Hoffman, President of East Point Academy’s Board of Directors. Bounds received the award surrounded by staff, parents and community partners, including East Point Academy’s 2020/2021 Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Cuevas. When asked about Bounds’ leadership, Cuevas said “Mr. Bounds brings so much joy, love, and fun to our school and, for that, I am forever grateful. I am not surprised at all that he has received this prestigious award!”
Bounds is most often seen around East Point greeting families in carline, giving high-fives in hallways and popping into classrooms. His leadership has helped establish East Point Academy as a premier public charter school serving students from around the Midlands and beyond. The school’s focus on rigorous academics with a global focus provides a unique and challenging learning environment for students. "I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Bounds remarked, “ In my two careers, I have been blessed to have served alongside some amazing soldiers and educators. I am especially grateful for my time at East Point Academy. It is a wonderful school with caring and dedicated teachers and staff."
Prior to becoming the Head of School at East Point Academy, Mark Bounds served as Chief Information Officer of Lexington-Richland District Five, Deputy Superintendent for School Effectiveness at the SC Department of Education and State Director for Communities in Schools of South Carolina. He brings eighteen years of successful educational leadership to the students he serves. Before a career in education, Bounds served twenty years as an infantry officer in the United States Army. He possesses multiple advanced degrees, numerous leadership program certificates, charter district experience, and knowledge from serving on a dozen educational advisory boards.
Johnathan Palance parent of Poppy in Kindergarten said “Under the leadership of Mr. Bounds, EPA has been able to achieve greater levels of success when compared to its peers, with nearly half of the public funding...We can all look to Mr. Bounds as a reminder of what stewardship and leadership are really about. As a proud EPA parent, we look forward to watch Mr. Bounds to take East Point Academy to new heights."
To learn more, visit www.eastpointsc.org.
