Dorchester School District Two is committed to providing opportunities for students to ensure they possess world class skills and knowledge that prepare them to be college and career ready. These goals parallel the tenets of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate and shape the rigorous and relevant curriculum and innovative programing in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Curriculum and instruction in all schools focus on engaging students in meaningful, relevant, and real-world applications. The school district continues to increase opportunities for students in the expansion of high school Career and Technology Education (CTE). Through expanded career clusters, schools strive to prepare students to be a driving force for economic development in the region and to be prepared for career opportunities in high growth industries. Collaboration with regional businesses and industries has been instrumental in the design and construction of state of the art CTE facilities at the three high schools that includes an advanced manufacturing center, a farm, and a print shop. CTE courses offered this year at district high schools included Culinary Arts, Media Arts, Horticulture, Health Science, Industrial Technology, Sports Medicine, Photography, and Engineering career clusters.
Through robust partnerships with local industries and institutions of higher learning, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs have expanded at every level. Joseph R. Pye Elementary School has the distinction of being selected as a National P21 Exemplar School by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning in recognition of their innovative learning practices to prepare students for success in college, career, and life. A district middle school teacher was named the Project Lead the Way Robert & Patricia Kern Teacher of the Year Award. Employability skills curriculum has been implemented in all grades K-12 as a result of input and support from regional businesses and industries. In addition, collaboration with local government agencies and businesses have provided students and the community with a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center at Rollings Middle School of the Arts that opened in 2020, an aquatics center to serve students and the community, and a library for students and the community.
Recognized as a school system of excellence, Dorchester School District Two has been awarded district-wide National Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. District schools have a proven history of offering excellent programs in academics, athletics, and the arts. In addition, the school district implemented a comprehensive technology program that provides electronic devices for all students for use in the classroom and at home. In 2020, Rollings Middle School of the Arts was named a National Blue Ribbon School, joining five other district schools that have received this distinction. Dorchester School District Two has been named a national Best Community for Music Education for three years in a row.
The Dorchester School District Two Early College Program had 32 students graduate with an Associate Degree from Trident Technical College, as well as a high school diploma in 2023. As reported on the 2022 South Carolina report card, Dorchester School District Two achieved a graduation rate of 93.3%. In addition, the 2023 graduating classes were offered more than $51 million in scholarships. The JROTC programs at all three high schools received Distinguished Unit Awards from their branches of the military.
Parent and community involvement is a critical component in the success of our schools. All schools have active PTA/PTSA groups and active business partner programs that provide thousands of volunteers and numerous resources. Flowertown Elementary School Improvement Council received the 2021 Dick and Tunky Riley Award in recognition of their outstanding community engagement efforts in public education. In a collaboration with community members and businesses, all schools in Dorchester School District Two participated in the MUSC Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness program to promote health and wellness for students and staff. Working together with parents, local businesses and industries, faith-based organizations, and elected officials, we provide the real-world knowledge our students need to be productive members of society and successful citizens.
The foundation of success for students and the school system is grounded in ten Core Values adopted by Dorchester School District Two. These core values of Students, Passion, Accountability, Integrity, Community, Excellence, Relationships, Diversity, Leadership, and Recognition affirm what we stand for, and provide a framework for a unified sense of purpose for us all.
