Richland One is helping all students develop the world-class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate through a rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, personalized learning experiences and unique enrichment opportunities designed to prepare our students for college and careers.

This year, we began implementation of the 2024-2029 Richland One Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan sets a clear vision for the district’s future, focusing on enhancing educational outcomes and fostering an environment of growth and opportunity for all students.

Some of the numerous accomplishments made by Richland One schools, students and staff during the 2024-2025 school year are:

· C.A. Johnson High School became the first school in the Midlands to offer Prisma Health’s MedEx Academy program. This exciting initiative allows students to explore various health care careers, providing invaluable exposure to the medical field and inspiring the next generation of health care professionals.

· We expanded our competitive esports program to all seven high schools, reflecting our commitment to embracing new educational frontiers and continuing to create more options and opportunities for our students. The esports program not only fosters teamwork and strategic thinking but also opens new avenues for student engagement and achievement.

· Crayton Middle School became the first school in South Carolina to be named a School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education. This accolade underscores our commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment for all students.

· Hyatt Park Elementary School became the second Visible Learning+ Certified School in South Carolina, joining Hopkins Elementary School in earning this prestigious recognition.

· All 48 of our schools were named among America’s Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. With more award winners than any other district in the state, this accomplishment highlights our dedication to fostering a healthy and supportive learning environment.

· Satchel Ford Elementary School was honored as a National Banner Unified Champion School by the Special Olympics, reflecting our commitment to inclusion and unity through sports and education.

· Students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade read for 4,416,166 minutes through the 2025 Superintendent’s Book Club Challenge.

· Richland One schools, students and staff earned 355 visual and performing arts awards.

· Three Richland One band programs – Hand Middle School, Dreher High School and A.C. Flora High School – received the Outstanding Performance Award from the South Carolina Band Directors Association. The award is the most prestigious award that SCBDA gives each year to band programs.

· Richland One Class of 2025 graduates earned $80 million in scholarships, surpassing last year’s scholarship total by more than $11 million. The Class of 2025 included 203 Richland One Academic All-Stars, 120 Honor Graduates, four National Merit Scholarship winners and four South Carolina Teaching Fellows.

· Sixty-four Richland One high school students earned certificates and associate degrees from Midlands Technical College.

· 114 Richland One students collectively earned 123 South Carolina Seals of Biliteracy. Seals of Biliteracy are awarded to students who demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in two or more languages.

· 629 Richland One students completed career and technical education (CTE) programs of study within the 16 national career clusters.

· Richland One sports teams and individual student-athletes won seven state championships in five sports – basketball, soccer, esports, tennis, and track and field.

· For the 37th consecutive year, Richland One received national and international recognition for financial reporting and accounting excellence.

· Richland One received a top-tier risk assessment score of 10 (on a scale of 9-65, with 9 being the lowest risk) from the South Carolina Department of Education. This score reflects the district’s commitment to being fiscally responsible and efficient.

It has been my honor to have led this district for the past 10 years. From growth in student achievement to the implementation of innovative educational programs and the completion of new facilities that enrich learning environments, our collective efforts have enhanced educational outcomes for all students.

As I end my service as superintendent, I am confident that Richland One is well-positioned for continued success. I will always be cheering for Team One. #TeamOne #OneTeam

Craig Witherspoon, Ed.D.

Superintendent