Charleston County Schools Show Notable Improvement in Latest State Report
Charleston, S.C. – A recent state report card has revealed significant improvements in the Charleston County School District, the second largest in South Carolina. Released on Tuesday, the 2023-2024 South Carolina Annual State Report Card assesses the performance of each school district throughout the state during the previous academic year. The Charleston County School District has made marked gains in both individual school ratings and overall academic performance.
The district’s graduation rate has risen by 1.5% compared to last year, while the percentage of students deemed college or career-ready has increased by 6.9%. Both statistics exceed the state averages, a source of pride for the district and its leadership.
“Charleston County Schools continue to demonstrate improvement, growth and achievement among our students,” said Superintendent Anita Huggins. She credits this success to the collaboration and dedication of school leaders, teachers, and families committed to supporting their children’s education.
Impressive Ratings for Individual Schools
As of 2024, the district boasts a total of 55 schools rated as “Excellent” or “Good.” This marks an increase from just 38 schools receiving such ratings five years prior. Conversely, the number of schools rated as either “Below Average” or “Unsatisfactory” has decreased from 27 to 17 since 2019.
Among the improvements, the three schools that were rated “Unsatisfactory” last year have all advanced at least one rating level. Notably, Edith L. Frierson Elementary School remarkably improved four levels to achieve an “Excellent” rating.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Luke Clamp emphasized that the achievement stems from multiple factors, including the collaborative efforts of educators who analyze student data and tailor instruction based on student needs. “We don’t have unsatisfactory and below average students, nor people in those buildings. We have incredible students; we have incredible teachers and leaders,” Clamp stated.
Addressing Challenges and Focus Areas
The report also highlights a focus on multilingual learners, a demographic that has expanded significantly within the district. Currently, 32.4% of multilingual learners in Charleston are progressing toward English proficiency, while the state average stands at 38.5%. Superintendent Huggins acknowledged the district’s challenges in this area but noted proactive steps being taken to improve outcomes.
With the introduction of the Weighted Student Funding Model earlier this year, the district has allocated additional resources to aid multilingual students. Huggins mentioned that principals are collaborating with superintendents to ensure schools have the necessary support for these learners.
Furthermore, a task force has been created to assess and recommend a uniform curriculum that aligns with the needs of multilingual students, aiming to improve the student-to-teacher ratio.
Curriculum and Assessment Insights
The state report card includes valuable data concerning SC READY, the annual testing method that measures students’ competencies in subjects like English Language Arts and mathematics. Adjustments to the curriculum at both state and district levels are expected to further bolster student performance in the coming years.
“We believe that students that come to our system from another country have truly hit the jackpot,” Dr. Clamp remarked. The district aims to create an inclusive environment where resources and support facilitate student success.
As Charleston County Schools celebrate these noteworthy advancements, the community looks forward to continued growth and improvement in educational outcomes in the years to come.
