Wando High School is helping all students develop world class skills as well as life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by educating and offering a multitude of academic opportunities and extracurricular activities. Wando provides a challenging program of study to encourage lifelong academic and applied learning; its goal is also to graduate students prepared to meet the challenge of a rapidly changing, diverse global society.
Although no entrance test is required, Wando consistently proves that a large, public, non-magnet high school serving a diverse population can produce outstanding results. It offers over 200 course selections with advanced courses in core academics, four world languages, JROTC, and Career and Technology. The expansive opportunities in the arts allow students to excel in photography, art, orchestra, drama, band, chorus, and dance where they earn state and national honors.
Wando considers high school graduation an important step for students--but not the final goal. Through individualized planning, each graduate is expected to leave Wando with world class knowledge and skills along with a viable plan for his/her future educational and career goals. Wando is committed to continuous school improvement and using research-based best practices as its guide. Raising the academic bar for all students and providing academic support for those who struggle are crucial to success.
Wando’s faculty and staff share instructional best practices and work in professional learning communities. Career-related Schools of Study, the Ninth Grade Academy, and Wando’s Advisor-Advisee Program provide opportunities for personal connections and help students see the purpose and relevance of their work.
In spite of the challenges faced with some students learning at home virtually and a majority of students coming to school in-person, teachers managed to teach students on two different platforms over the course of the year. Contacts with students and families regarding well-checks and needed support were regularly provided. The technology needs of students were assessed and supported through school-loaned Chromebooks. Internet inaccessibility was addressed by providing “hot spots” and reduced costs for internet coverage. While there was a continued loss of some extracurricular activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty and staff members planned, presented, and received approval for “out the box” activities to replace them.
Wando High School’s Class of 2021 left a legacy of high achievement in academics, athletics, and student activities. Ninety percent of graduates plan to continue their education at the post-secondary level. The average GPA of the Class of 2021 was 3.86, and Wando seniors earned an average of 30 credits. Students continued to excel in college level work with both Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses while Wando’s Advanced Placement Academy continued to flourish with more than 500 members. Two senior students received appointments to military academies, one to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and another to the U.S. Naval Academy, and four students were named South Carolina Teaching Fellows.
For the fourth year in a row, Wando was among a select group of high schools across the nation honored as a PLTW Distinguished High School. The Wando Athletic Program continued its rich history of excellence by winning three State Championships and seventeen Region Championships. Once again, the athletic program received the Carlisle Cup, signifying it as the most outstanding AAAAA athletic program by the South Carolina Administrators Athletics Association. Sixty-two athletes were recognized as Scholar Athletes by the South Carolina High School League, and the Wando High School Marching Band is still the reigning 5A State Champion for the twelfth time.
Sixty-one band students earned All-State band awards. Thirty-three orchestra students were named to the SCMEA Region Orchestra; five were named to the SCMEA All-State Orchestra. Six Chorus students earned a three-time SCMEA All State Chorus Award, and two theatre students won a first and third place award at the S.C. Speech and Theatre Association Festival. Tribal Tribune, the school newspaper, was awarded the Best in State by the S.C. Scholastic Press Association; additionally, it received a Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
Thirty-one students received awards from the National Scholastic Art and Writing Contest, four Gold Keys, Five Silver Keys, and nine Honorable Mentions. A Wando junior’s artwork was chosen to hang in Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s office, and Legend, Wando’s yearbook, received Best Yearbook in the South by the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, a first in Wando History. Wando swept first and second place in the Economics Challenge hosted by USC and the Council on Economic Education. Eighty-one foreign language students received the South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy.
Throughout the year, students raised funds, collected resources, and served alongside community members at various charities and events in support of those in need. Students are encouraged to be involved in Wando life and “Walk the Warrior Way” with integrity, compassion, and personal responsibility.
Wando’s dedicated faculty and staff, trained in Capturing Kids’ Hearts, work to ensure that all students feel connected and continue to develop Life and Career Characteristics throughout their high school careers. It is blessed with a high level of parental and community involvement along with support from the Town of Mount Pleasant--a critical factor to ensuring student success.
Sherry M. Eppelsheimer, Principal
Rebecca Imholz, SIC Chair