W. J. Keenan High School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the Graduate by continuing to increase student achievement. We will focus on continuing to make gains on all standardized tests such as SAT, ACT, WorkKeys, and EOCEP. We will also focus on improving each grade level's graduation, attendance, and retention rates.
Through project-based learning, our students will enhance creativity, innovation, critical thinking, collaboration, and teamwork. Presentations and subject-based initiatives will also help our learners improve their communication skills and media and technology usage. Ultimately, students will acquire a desire to continue learning and developing skills to compete on a global scale.
W.J. Keenan High School will continue developing a superior magnet program in collaboration with engineering, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and tourism academies, and the government.
Keenan is also a national STEM-accredited school through AdvancedED (now Cognia) that offers PLTW (Project Lead the Way), Agricultural Science, and Clean Energy. Other noteworthy initiatives and projects include FIRST Robotics, Trout in the Classroom, PACE Solar Panel project, and the Leader in Me.
Keenan is a High Schools That Work (HSTW) site. All teachers are trained to utilize "best practices" to increase students' academic success. Areas of focus include literacy, development of senior projects, data-driven decisions, and career and technical training. During 2010-2011, we implemented College Summit to improve our seniors' post-secondary education opportunities and preparation. Additionally, we are a PBIS (Positive Behavior and Intervention Strategy) school developing strategies to recognize students for their positive behavior and achievements. All teachers are assigned to PLC (Professional Learning Communities) to develop instructional strategies to serve our students better. Our faculty, staff, students, and parents work together to ensure all Keenan students succeed.
Keenan has been recognized for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 Palmetto Silver Award by the state of South Carolina for making substantial progress in closing the achievement gap and the 2011-2012 Palmetto Gold Award for general performance. During the 2020-2021 school year, W. J. Keenan recertified its STEM accreditation as determined by the STEM Certification Review conducted by Cognia (AdvancED). Most recently, W.J. Keenan High School became South Carolina's first "Leader In Me" high school by launching a leadership and career magnet program. Our magnets include engineering, government, hospitality and tourism, and entrepreneurship academies. We are proud of our accomplishments and will work hard every day to reach higher levels of success.

Vondre' T. Whaley, Principal