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. Argumentative writing is a skill that is incorprorated into ELA and social studies curriculums. 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, Horseshoe Cafe, Warhorse Creations, Work-Based Learning experiences, Apprenticeships, Job Shadowing Days, Teacher Cadets, and Stable Talk are a few initiatives that build student character and foster career awareness. Student organizations, such as JROTC, FCA, Drama Club, Student Council, Beta Club, TSA, Robotics and National Honor Society, sponsor several community-service projects, including BHS Blood Drives, Victory House visitation, Thanksgiving Food Drive, and Secret Santa. The BHS athletic, band, and chorus programs have continued to excel.
Student achievement is celebrated through Warhorse Grams, Students of the Month, and student awards ceremonies. An assortment of communication mediums (e.g., SIC meetings, BHS website, teacher Google Classroom sites, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, grade-level newsletters, Stable Talk Newsletter, Remind text messages, ICU text messages) keep the Barnwell Community well-informed of the good news at BHS. At BHS, we model the same vision as our district: Where Hearts are Big and Opportunities are Great!
Franklin McCormack, Principal
Niurka Donaldson, SIC President