Ashley Ridge High School is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by developing collaboration and communication between all stakeholders. Ashley Ridge High School challenges students through creativity and innovation as well as collaboration and teamwork. It is our mission to provide educational opportunities in a safe, supportive environment, which fosters pride, inspires excellence, promotes respect and builds strong relationships in all of our graduates. Our commitment to creating college and career ready graduates is evidenced by our students’ success. The Class of 2022 earned over $20.4 million in scholarships, and over 88% of our graduates earned a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Work Ready Certificate. Additionally, 517 students were awarded the Palmetto Fellows, Life and Hope Scholarships.
Ashley Ridge High School provides graduates with world class knowledge by providing rigorous standards in language arts and math for college and career readiness. Students are offered stringent coursework through Dual Credit, Advanced Placement, Honors, and Project Lead the Way classes. In addition, a partnership created between our school and Trident Technical College for the Early College Program as well as our partnership with ECPI allow students to earn certifications and degrees upon successful completion of the programs. We had 18 seniors earn an Associate Degree from Trident Technical College. We had 701 students take over 756 Advanced Placement exams. This year we continued scheduling Independent Learning Time (ILT) and Structured Learning Time (SLT). ILT encourages students to utilize their time to meet their educational needs. Students can use ILT for one-on-one tutoring with teachers, retaking assessments, completing and making-up assignments, collaborating with peers for the completion of projects, club/extracurricular meetings, meeting with counselors, and relationship building with the adults within the school. Additionally, all students at ARHS were invited to attend Saturday School sessions (Academic Overtime) that allowed them the opportunity to make up assessments and other work and complete unit/quarter recovery. Teachers, counselors, and administrators were available to assist students in their efforts on these days. ARHS also has a Prevention and Intervention (P&I) department that consists of two administrators, two school counselors, and an administrative assistant. As a group, they focus on assisting students who do not have the required number of credits to advance to the next grade and/or graduate within four years. These students are offered support in many ways – special events to inform parents and students about options, specialized schedules that will help them get back on track, and evening school where these students can earn additional credits through APEX and SC Virtual School.
The Ashley Ridge graduate encompasses the world class skills of creativity and innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Creativity is fostered through the agriculture program’s development of working garden space and an animal herd. Ashley Ridge High School maintains active Project Lead the Way and Career and Technical Education programs, which encourage collaboration and critical thinking. The Ashley Ridge HOSA Program had 36 students compete at the 2022 SC HOSA State Leadership Conference. Fourteen students placed in the Top 3 in various events, receiving medals and qualifying for the International Leadership Conference. Additionally, five students received a total of $2500 in scholarships, one student was recognized as an outstanding HOSA member, and one advisor received the SC HOSA Advisor of the Year award. At the International Leadership Conference, a team consisting of three students placed 1st in the MRC Partnership Competitive Event. Additionally, Ashley Ridge was recognized as a top donor school for the $2,500 donation to the HOSA National Service Project (Be the Match). The Ashley Ridge Marching Band participated in the SCBDA Festival this year, earning the rating of superior with distinction. Eight students earned chairs in the South Carolina All State Band and 20 students in the South Carolina Region Bands. The AFROTC earned the Distinguished Unit Award this year for the 13th year in a row. Ashley Ridge athletic teams earned eight region championships this year. The AR wrestling team won the 5A State wrestling championship. Additionally, AR won the 5A State pole vault championship.