Saluda High School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by offering 135 course selections with advanced options in core academics, world languages, career and technology, and the arts.
We are committed to offering an open enrollment Advanced Placement (AP) program at Saluda High School so that any student who is academically prepared and motivated to take college-level coursework has access to rigor. We administered 224 AP exams in May 2018 and anticipate giving approximately 242 AP exams in May 2019. This is up from 34 AP exams in 2016 and 198 in 2017. We are proud to be able to offer nine AP courses on our campus taught by Saluda High School teachers.
In addition to AP, Saluda High School students have the opportunity to take 16 different courses at Piedmont Technical College for dual credit. In 2017-2018, 46 students accepted this challenge and earned valuable college credit that will give them an early boost in their post-secondary endeavors.
Saluda High School students have many opportunities to engage in CATE courses and programs that meet global academic and technical standards and prepare students for a seamless transition to post-secondary education or work, such as building construction, health science, sports medicine, agriculture, STEM, business management and administration, and finance. Through work-based learning opportunities, students are able to apply their knowledge and skills in real life, real work, and real world situations. Twelve students passed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification exam in 2017-2018, which makes them career-ready upon high school graduation.
We have also been working hard to expand opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities and will continue to emphasize the importance of extracurricular participation in a well-rounded educational experience. Students have the opportunity to participate in 13 clubs or organizations at Saluda High School. We are especially proud that 13 students placed in the South Carolina 2018 Jr. Duck Stamp Contest, which set a new school record. Additionally, our FFA earned first place at the State Livestock Judging Contest, and HOSA students won several contests and scholarships at the State Leadership Conference. Additionally, the SC State HOSA Post-Secondary Vice President for 2018-2019 is a member of the SHS graduating class of 2018.
The 2017-2018 school year was one for the record books in athletics as well. Saluda High School had all 14 varsity programs participate in the state playoffs, 60 players made All-Region, six student athletes were named Region Player of the Year, five coaches were named Region Coach of the Year, six teams won the region championship, eight athletes made All-State teams, eight student athletes signed to play college athletics, four students were named to SC All Star teams, and two athletes broke single season school records. Saluda High School was again the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award given by the South Carolina High School League.
The Saluda High School Class of 2018 left a legacy of high achievement in academics, athletics, and student activities. Collectively, they earned $3,330,295 in scholarships. There were 10 Palmetto Fellows and one Teaching Fellow. Six students enlisted to join the military.
Our School Improvement Council (SIC) is proud to have been recognized as one of five finalists for the Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Excellence and an Honorable Mention.
It has certainly been an exciting year, and we are incredibly proud of what we have been able to accomplish and look forward to all of the advances sure to come.
Sarah C. Longshore, Principal
Trey Shealy, Chairman School Improvement Council
