Richland One is helping all students develop the world-class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, personalized learning experiences and unique enrichment opportunities designed to prepare our students for college and careers.
During the 2018-2019 school year, we engaged in a collaborative process to develop a new Strategic Plan for the district that will guide our work for the next five years. The 2019-2024 Strategic Plan, which was approved by the Richland One Board of School Commissioners in March 2019, reflects input and feedback received from stakeholders including board members, district employees, students, parents, community members and business partners.
Although we have a new Strategic Plan which outlines goals and actions that we will take to achieve those goals, our mission – literally and figuratively – has not changed: We are Richland One, a leader in transforming lives through education, empowering all students to achieve their potential and dreams.
As we continue to focus on college and career readiness, we also continue to expand the choices we offer our students. In the past year, we launched our Leadership Richland One magnet programs at four schools (Bradley Elementary, Carver-Lyon Elementary, W.G. Sanders Middle and W.J. Keenan High); the programs are funded through a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. We also celebrated the inaugural year of our Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program at Eau Claire High School, which is the first high school CDL training program in South Carolina and only the third in the nation.
We are proud as well that 74% of Richland One high school juniors earned a bronze credential or higher on the Ready to Work (R2W), a national career readiness assessment which helps determine whether students have the skills necessary to be successful in the workforce. Additionally, 380 Richland One students completed career and technology education (CATE) programs of study during 2018-2019, with many earning state and nationally recognized certifications. Six students were the first to earn their Firefighter I certification through the Firefighter Training Academy at Lower Richland High School.
Eleven Richland One students were named 2019 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, a prestigious distinction achieved by less than 1 percent of all high school seniors in the United States. Two hundred and forty-two (242) students were honored as Richland One Academic All-Stars. To qualify as Academic All-Stars, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA, rank in the top 10 percent of their high school’s senior class and have no grade lower than a C for any subject taken for high school credit. This year’s class of Academic All-Stars was the largest in the 17-year history of the recognition program.
One hundred and ninety-five (195) Richland One eighth-grade students were named South Carolina Junior Scholars by the S.C. Department of Education based on their academic ability, talent and achievements. Richland One had more Junior Scholars this year than any other school district in the Midlands and the fourth-highest number in the state. Criteria included students’ scores on the PSAT.
Also during the 2018-2019 school year, 16 Richland One high school seniors were among the first in the state to be awarded the South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes students who have attained a functional level of proficiency in two languages.
We are excited to continue the progress of the district through the implementation of our new Strategic Plan. With equitable learning experiences as well as safe and supportive learning environments as priorities, we further our commitment around our core business of improving students’ outcomes.
Craig Witherspoon, Ed.D.
Richland One Superintendent
