Beaufort County Schools Show Major Improvement in 2023-24 Report Card Results

Beaufort County Schools Celebrate Significant Milestones in 2023-24 Report Card Release

Beaufort, SC – There is a lot to celebrate in Beaufort County as the recent release of the 2023-24 school report cards shows promising progress for local schools! This year’s results are particularly exciting because for the *first time since 2018*, no school in the county has been ranked as unsatisfactory. That alone is something worth cheering about!

Strong Ratings Across the Board

According to the latest updates from the school district, over half of the schools received ratings of *Good or Excellent*, an *impressive increase from 44% last year*. To break it down, six schools managed to score ratings of *Excellent*, while twelve achieved a *Good* rating. The majority, which is thirty-eight percent of the schools, landed in the average category. Only three schools received the *Below Average* classification—highlighting a steady improvement overall.

Improvement in Middle and High Schools

Looking closer at the progress, it’s not just elementary and charter schools that are doing well. Eight out of nine middle schools either improved their ratings or maintained their performance. This is a clear sign that both faculty and students are putting in the effort needed to succeed. Additionally, a remarkable *82.8% of high school seniors were found to be college or career-ready*, which indicates that they are well on their way to fulfilling their post-graduate aspirations. The district also achieved a record *88.6% graduation rate*—yet another reason for high fives all around!

Future Initiatives for Student Success

Looking ahead, the Beaufort County school district is gearing up to expand its *North of the Broad Magnet School Assistance program* to *Hilton Head Island Schools*. Thanks to a generous *$14.9 million federal grant*, this initiative aims to provide innovative instructional strategies and resources to enhance student learning. Chief Instructional Services Officer Mary Stratos commented that the district remains committed to providing high-quality education for all its students and the federal grant is a big step towards fulfilling that promise.

Moreover, the district is seeking to boost extended learning opportunities through a *$2.3 million Catalyst Grant*, specifically targeting its nearly 4,500 multilingual learners. This initiative demonstrates that the school district is committed to inclusivity and ensuring all students have access to the help they need to excel.

A Snapshot of School Ratings

For those curious about how specific schools performed in the recent rankings, here’s a snapshot of the ratings:

• Excellent: Bluffton High School (71), May River High School (67), Riverview Charter School (62), Pritchardville Elementary (69), Okatie Elementary (66), Coosa Elementary (65)
• Good: Hilton Head Island High School (61), Whale Branch Early College High School (61), River Ridge Academy (59), Red Cedar Elementary (58), and several others.
• Average: Beaufort High School (55), H.E. McCracken Middle School (44), Hilton Head Island Middle School (42), and others in this category.
• Below Average: Battery Creek High School (49), Lady’s Island Middle School (34), Port Royal Elementary (34), and a few others.

A Bright Future Awaits!

All in all, it seems that Beaufort County schools are on an upward trajectory! The notable achievements seen in the report cards reflect the dedication of educators, the hard work of students, and the support of the community. With various initiatives on the horizon, one can anticipate even more positive developments in the coming years. Whether you have children in school or are just a concerned community member, it’s a great time to witness the investment being made in the future generation of Beaufort. Isn’t it exciting to see our schools thrive?