Gov. Henry McMaster awarded the Order of the Palmetto to East Point Academy Head of School Mark A. Bounds.

Bounds received the honor 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.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Bounds.

“Mr. Bounds brings so much joy, love, and fun to our school and, for that, I am forever grateful,” said East Point Academy’s 2020-21 Teacher of the Year Rebecca Cuevas.

Bounds is most often seen around East Point greeting families in the car line, 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.

Prior to becoming the Head of School at East Point Academy, Mark Bounds served as chief information officer of Lexington-Richland District 5, Deputy Superintendent for School Effectiveness at the SC Department of Education and State Director for Communities in Schools of South Carolina. He brings 18 years of successful educational leadership to the students he serves.

Bounds served 20 years as an infantry officer in the United States Army before going into education.