Fort Mill School District (FMSD) remained one of the fastest growing school districts, per capita, in the state during the 2020-2021 school year. The final enrollment reported on the last day of school was 17,025 which includes in-seat and virtual students. In fact, FMSD passed Rock Hill School District in student enrollment and became the largest among all four York County school districts. This milestone was reached in spite of being the smallest geographic district in the state encompassing 53 square miles.
In spite of the many challenges presented by the pandemic, FMSD remains focused on preparing all students to acquire the world class academic, life, and career skills included in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Our commitment to placing Children First…Every Day is reflected in all of our continuous improvement efforts that include the academic recovery and return to school plans. Our instructional delivery systems continued to adapt to meet the demands of a rapidly changing environment. We worked through virtual, hybrid, and face-to-face logistical models. The district’s summer academic recovery efforts served more than 260 elementary students in fun-filled camps to help address learning gaps. Middle and high school summer academic recovery programs included an algebra readiness camp for rising 9th graders. Additional systems of extra help are being planned for middle and high school students this school year. Moving forward, the Fort Mill Virtual Academy option will serve 500+ students whose families elected to participate this year.
The district’s commitment to an “All means All” philosophy continues to permeate school culture. This is seen in our Multi-tiered Support System (MTSS), STEAM, and literacy initiatives. MTSS empowers all students by addressing their academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs through a data-driven process that identifies risk factors. As part of the Read to Succeed Plan, all teachers and administrators are learning and implementing effective reading instructional strategies across the curriculum. Our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) effort includes school-based leadership development, technology and curriculum integration, and community/parent partnerships. FMSD’s digital learning, STEAM, and literacy initiatives positively impact student engagement and ultimately prepare our students for college, career, and citizenship.
Individual and student awards were too numerous to mention, but several deserve special recognition. Over $25 million in scholarship opportunities were awarded to high school graduates. There were 1,102 total graduates from all three high schools in the district. Nation Ford High School (NFHS) was named a National Blue Ribbon School as well as a finalist for the 2020 Palmetto’s Finest Award. U.S. News and World Report ranked Fort Mill and Nation Ford high schools the 7th and 10th best high schools in South Carolina. Forbes Magazine recognized FMSD as one of the best employers in South Carolina. The district’s 10th and 11th elementary schools, Kings Town Elementary and River Trail Elementary, opened in 2020-21. Our 6th middle school, Forest Creek Middle School opened in August, 2021.
Even though we face difficult decisions moving forward, the school board, the administration, the teachers and staff pledge to continue to provide a quality educational program to our constituents.
James N. (Chuck) Epps, Jr., PhD., Superintendent
