The 2021-2022 school year was one of transitions at St. James High School. As we slowly emerge from the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and settle into new patterns of normality, the Shark family looks to embrace to best parts of our past while embracing changes that will allow our school to continue moving forward.
Despite the myriad challenges the students faculty and staff faced during the past two school years, St. James High School continued to strengthen its reputation as on of the finest secondary schools in the state of South Carolina. Since being awarded the prestigious Palmetto’s Finest award in March 2016, the Shark family has been further recognized by US News and World Report for seven consecutive years as one of the top high schools in the nation. Over the last two years, we have also been honored to be chosen by readers of The Sun News as The Best of the Beach, cementing our reputation as the finest public high school in Horry County. Now, more than ever, it is a tremendous time to be a St. James Shark!
Over the last several years, our school has seen a steady increase in virtually all notable measures of student achievement. Despite constantly shifting instructional models and uncertainty about testing requirements over the last two years, results from end-of-course examinations once again outpaced district and state averages. Such exceptional results have become a part of the school's reputation, and our teachers and students worked hard to overcome the numerous obstacles the pandemic presented. Student success on Advanced Placement exams and career-readiness assessments also continues to exceed state and global means. These achievements are a testament to the culture of unwavering high expectations that has been embraced by all members of the St. James family.
To ensure that the school continues to enjoy such outstanding results, St. James faculty and staff have undertaken a number of initiatives intended to provide students with the individualized attention necessary to realize their full academic potential. One example includes an ongoing commitment to serving our most at-risk students, including minorities and students with special needs. A committee of teachers and administrators are working diligently to provide these students with personalized attention and, more importantly, recognition for hard-earned success. Through additional funding afforded during the pandemic, this year our school also created a "Grad Pack" team, consisting of a full-time graduation coach and a full-time jobs and career coach. This funding also allowed us to maintain a comprehensive tutoring and support system that blended in-person and remote meetings. The improved digital communication media necessitated and accelerated by the pandemic led to greater learning access for our students. This vital program will remain in place, even as we transition back to pre-pandemic educational models.
As local, national, and global economies continue to evolve in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, students and parents understand the increasing importance of post-secondary training and learning. In addition to a solid college preparatory curriculum, in the fall of 2016 St. James launched the Advanced Placement Institute, a program intended to provide our most motivated students with the incentive to pursue the most rigorous course of study the school can provide. In the fall of 2022, St. James High School will offer its students no fewer than two dozen Advanced Placement courses, including many that will appeal to non-traditional AP students, such as Music Theory, Studio Art, and Computer Science Principles. The 2021 graduating class included our school’s first cohort of AP Capstone Diploma candidates. These students were the first at our school to complete this highly rigorous, nationally-recognized program, which includes extensive coursework in college-level research and writing. This program is foundational to our school's vision of graduating students with world-class skills.
Our district's ongoing focus on providing students with college and career-like experiences in the STEM fields will also impact St. James students during the upcoming school year. In the fall of 2022, Shark students will have the opportunity to enroll in one of four distinct courses offered through the Project Lead the Way initiative. Our school now offers PLTW coursework in Computer Science Essentials, Principles of Engineering, Principles of Biomedical Science, and Human Body Systems. Most importantly, students who successfully complete these programs will have an opportunity to earn a workplace credential.
St. James High's students also continue to demonstrate tremendous efforts away from the classroom. The Sharks' many athletic programs provide our students with an outlet for their competitive energies and foster a positive spirit within the community. St. James athletes and coaches had a remarkable year, despite the challenges of practicing and playing under the restrictions and protocols enacted due to the pandemic. Many of our athletic teams advanced into the later rounds of the state playoffs. Away from the playing field, a number of our clubs and organizations also demonstrated the value of hard work and dedication. The Shark Academic Team, for example, finished 2nd in the annual Horry County Schools Academic Olympics. Members of the the SJHS Chapter of FCCLA advanced to national competitions after winning at the state-level. THis spring we also inducted over 70 new members into National Honor Society. From sports to robotics, the St. James family prides itself on helping each student who enters our school find a sense of purpose and belonging.
Ultimately, we understand that the rising test scores, academic accomplishments, and extracurricular achievements we continue to experience would not have be possible without the backing of dedicated parents and community partners. Remember, as a valued stakeholder in our school, your opinions are critical to our ongoing improvement, and we encourage you to get involved in our Shark Family to help us with our most important work - doing what is best for students. Working together, we can ensure that, like true Sharks, our school continues move in only one direction - FORWARD!
