Dear Charleston County School District Families, Educators, and Community Members:
The 2021-2022 school year was a fantastic year filled with many successes and some challenges. One huge success was that students and staff experienced a full school year and some of the most normal conditions we have had while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. All schools and all students were back to in-person learning and did so in a safe, confident manner.
As the year continued, celebrations occurred, students enjoyed field trips again, and in-person community and family events resumed in facilities and on campuses. The excitement was palpable and a welcome reprieve from the uncertainties of the last few years.
We all know the real magic happens at the school level–in classrooms–and this year was no different. It was a year full of accolades for our schools, students, and educators at all grade levels.
A few highlights include U.S. News and World Report naming Academic Magnet High School the second best high school in the nation for the third consecutive year. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report released its first set of rankings for elementary and middle schools which included Buist Academy as the number-one middle school magnet program in South Carolina, the second in both the magnet elementary school and overall middle school rankings, and fifth on the list for overall elementary schools. Four CCSD schools, Charleston County School of the Arts (4th), Moultrie (6th), and Thomas C. Cario (14th), and Laing (19th) also earned spots in the middle school top 25 for South Carolina. Ashley River Creative Arts (13th) joined Buist in the top 25 for elementary schools, with Ashley River (4th), Jennie Moore Elementary (seventh), St. Andrew’s School of Math and Science (11th), and Sullivan’s Island Elementary (17th) also in the top 25 magnet elementary schools.
The Class of 2022 was able to enjoy regular commencement ceremonies and had 18 students named as National Merit Scholarship recipients. In grades 3-8, 272 students earned the maximum raw and scale score on the South Carolina College and Career Ready Assessment (SC READY) in math or reading. Belle Hall Elementary School earned a prestigious distinction as one of five schools in South Carolina named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School.
Our educators and school staff are the best of the best, so it is no surprise that their recognitions are numerous. R.B. Stall High School’s nurse was selected as the National Association of School Nurses Outstanding Nurse for Students with Disabilities. The teacher-librarian at Charles Pinckney Elementary School was named the Lowcountry Regional Librarian of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians, and Angel Oak Elementary School’s principal was selected as the 2021 Palmetto State Arts Education Arts Administrator of the Year Award.
There is a great deal to celebrate in CCSD, but we know we also have a tremendous amount of work to do to ensure success for all of our students. Data has shown that CCSD is doing better than most districts at minimizing the effects of COVID-19 on student achievement, largely in part to incredible educators and its in-person operations throughout the entire pandemic; however, we are still experiencing learning loss.
Over the last six months, we have initiated work around Vision 2027- to have all students reading on grade level by grade five. This is critical because we know that the ability to read is fundamental to growth in learning and the key to open doors to college and career readiness. We have identified priority goals in reading, math, and college and career readiness as well as key indicators to use to monitor progress in each area. We have also aligned ESSER III plans and programs in support of this visionary goal and supporting pillars.
To help achieve this goal, we have undertaken work looking at root cause analysis and systems thinking with our leadership teams to better determine what has prevented CCSD students, particularly those of color, from growing and achieving at high levels for decades. It is only with systemic change that we will be able to improve the achievement of all students. I am very optimistic that we will be able to do this together.
Thank you to our outstanding teachers, staff, students, and families for another great year in CCSD. I look forward to working together with you all to ensure success for each and every student in Charleston County School District now and in the future.
Donald R. Kennedy, Sr.
Superintendent of Schools
