Hampton County Schools Celebrate Academic Growth in 2024 Report Cards
Hampton County educators are celebrating the results of the 2024 South Carolina School Report Cards, which showcase remarkable growth in both student performance and overall school ratings. This positive trend reflects the efforts of the newly formed Hampton County School District (HCSD), which became operational following the consolidation of the former H.C. School Districts 1 and 2 just three years ago.
What’s New in the Report?
The report cards released this year indicate that the transition has been fruitful. In particular, educators note an impressive rise in English Language Arts (ELA) scores. In 2024, 53 percent of HCSD students in grades 3-8 scored at the ‘Meets or Exceeds’ level on SC READY tests. This is a significant increase from 36 percent in 2021 for District One and 23 percent for District Two. This upward trajectory demonstrates a remarkable change of 17-30 percentage points over three years.
Why This Matters
Kristy C. Wood, HCSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction, expressed pride in the continuous improvement of the schools since their consolidation. According to Wood, the current ELA scores not only surpass previous district averages but also indicate a recovery trajectory from the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
“Even when we look back to scores before consolidation and the impact of COVID-19, HCSD is scoring significantly above the district averages in ELA,” Wood shared during an interview. However, she acknowledged that the pandemic had a more detrimental effect on Math scores and that both districts initially saw a decline in this area. Nevertheless, HCSD has since recovered and exceeded pre-consolidation Math scores by three percentage points for certain groups of students.
Understanding the Report Cards
According to federal law, states are required to prepare annual report cards that rank public schools on a 100-point rating scale, which ranges from Unsatisfactory to Excellent. These report cards evaluate key indicators such as student progress, high school graduation rates, and college and career readiness, among others. Each school and district receives ratings that reflect their performance, essential for guiding future improvements.
Highlights from the HCSD Report
Despite the fact that report card ratings may not fully showcase the significant growth across campuses, Wood commended all Elementary and Middle Schools for increasing their Academic Achievement ratings. She specifically praised Brunson Elementary School and Estill Elementary School for achieving a rating of Good in the 2024 Report Cards. Such advancements reflect the overall quality of instruction in ELA and Math.
Looking Ahead
These achievements in the Hampton County School District are echoed in neighboring districts, including Beaufort and Jasper Counties, where local schools show promising improvements in their own report card assessments. In Beaufort County, schools like Joseph Shanklin Elementary and Whale Branch Elementary have climbed in ranking due to collaborative efforts among teachers, students, and families.
With a strong foundation set by these positive trends, HCSD and its counterparts in nearby counties continue to focus their efforts on fostering academic excellence. The commitment to enhancing educational quality remains strong, and educators are optimistic about sustaining this momentum into the next academic year.
Conclusion
The continuing upward trend in Hampton County’s education system is a significant milestone, providing optimism for the future of its students. As these districts strive to maintain and build upon their successes, the focus on collaborative improvement remains a common goal for educators, parents, and students alike.
