Barnwell High School is helping all students develop the world class skills, life, and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, comfortable environment where students are actively engaged in challenging activities that incorporate a variety of instructional strategies. The Warhorse Family is focused on student achievement and the dynamics that drive student achievement (e.g., research-proven instructional practices, schoolwide initiatives, high quality professional development, extracurricular activities, strong leadership, community service, hard work).
As a High Schools That Work site, Barnwell High School (BHS) continuously seeks ways to improve student learning. All courses are aligned to the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards where highly qualified educators emphasize rigor and high expectations. Collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity are enhanced by placing a heavy emphasis on computer science as all students are required to take Fundamentals of Computing. BHS students have the privilege of participating in the C3WP grant where highly deliberate teacher professional development ultimately gives students the tools needed to write effective arguments. BHS offers two on-campus career and technology education (CTE) pathways for students, including Project Lead the Way (pre-engineering) and Web & Digital Communications. Additional off-campus CTE opportunities are provided at the Barnwell County Career Center, including Health Science, Cosmetology, Law Enforcement, Automotive Technology, Building Construction, Architectural Design, Electricity, Welding, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Computer Service Technology, Cybersecurity, Mechatronics, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Wildlife Management, and Forestry.
Students are given the opportunity to take academic enhancement courses in fine arts, including chorus, band, music appreciation, art, and graphic arts. The Life Skills Program, the Employability Credential Program, the Horseshoe Cafe, Work-Based Learning experiences, Apprenticeships, Job Shadowing Days, Teacher Cadets, Stable Talk, and Pause Before You Post are a few initiatives that build student character and foster career awareness. Student organizations, such as JROTC, FCA, P7, Drama Club, Student Council, Beta Club, TSA, and National Honor Society, sponsor several community-service projects, including Special Olympics, BHS Blood Drives, Victory House visitation, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Secret Santa, and Pennies for Patients. The BHS athletic, band, and chorus programs have continued to excel. Our best finishes were a game day cheer squad AA state championship and football AA lower state championship.
Student achievement is celebrated through Warhorse Grams and Students of the Month. An assortment of communication mediums (e.g., SIC meetings, BHS website, teacher Google Classroom sites, Twitter, Facebook, grade-level newsletters, Stable Talk Newsletter, Remind text messages, ICU text messages) keep the Barnwell Community well-informed of the good news at BHS. We are a community united by education.
Franklin McCormack, Principal
Niurka Donaldson, SIC President
