The Catawba Ridge faculty and staff continued to set high expectations for all students in academics, arts, athletics, character, extra-curricular activities, and community involvement.
This year, the faculty and staff continued to grow the #BeTheWhy culture. We created a “Student of the Month” recognition program for students who embody the culture of #DoRight with positive attitudes, kindness, and citizenship. To recognize these students, we awarded each honoree a BeTheWhy t-shirt, a certificate, and free entry into an athletic event and spotlighted them on our CR News and weekly newsletter. We also started a tradition of recognizing a support staff of the month in conjunction with our teacher of the month program.
To increase academic achievement for at-risk students, we continued to provide a mentorship/tutoring program for those recommended by teachers and administrators. Students were mentored by our Beta Club Members and administration team and received 1 on 1 tutoring or mentoring opportunities each week. In addition, we used ESSR funds to provide free after-school tutoring in our core content areas and world languages. These efforts had a significant impact on our students’ achievement.
In an effort to continue to grow our STEAM program, we added five new STEAM teacher leaders to increase our number to ten in total. We hosted several professional development opportunities for our STEAM teacher leaders in partnership with Clemson University. We were able to ensure that each classroom was equipped with Chromebook carts to allow 1 to 1 environment in the classroom.
This year teachers began working together in PLTs and PLCs through the use of common planning time. Teachers began to create common assessments in all content areas and interpret data to improve instructional practices in the classroom. Our goal is to allow for more PLT and PLC time with the implementation of our new FLEX schedule to enhance student learning.
We celebrated the Class of 2023 throughout the year with several special events: Senior Sunrise, Homecoming, Senior Banners & Yard Signs, Senior Nights for Athletics Teams, Band and JROTC, Senior Showcase, Senior Celebration, and Prom. The Class of 2023 was impressive to say the least! Of the 306 graduates, 84 were honor graduates with a final cumulative weighted GPA of 4.5 or higher. Twenty nine students qualified for Palmetto Fellows scholarship,140 graduates met the eligibility criteria for the LIFE scholarship, and 3 students were National Merit Scholarship finalists. The total scholarship amount awarded to this senior class was an astounding $18,403,227! Other outstanding academic accomplishments were: 210 students in the four-year cohort completed one or more college applications, 306 seniors were enrolled and successfully passed a US government course, and 455 students enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course. Our students also performed well on End of Course examinations with passing rates as follows: 87% Biology I, 97% English II, 85% Algebra I, and 85% US History.
Students thrived in their third full year of practices and competitions. Our band had another outstanding year. The marching band won the Bands of America Carolina Regional. This was the program's first regional championship and only 1 of 6 schools from South Carolina in the 45-year history of Bands of America to ever achieve this honor. They were crowned South Carolina 4A State Marching Band Champions for the second consecutive year. Individually, the band had a record setting year with 34 students making All-Region and 6 making All-State. The Color guard competed at its first ever Winter Guard International World Championships (WGI) in Dayton, OH. The Concert Percussion Ensemble won a CWEA Gold medal and placed 2nd at the WGI Percussion World Championships. The band held several community blood drives, hosted its 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, and hosted a marching band competition and two indoor competitions. Due to their success, the Band was invited to perform for the 2024 London's New Year's Day Parade.
The Choral Program produced two shows this year: a concert in collaboration with Forest Creek Middle School and Elf: The Musical. Also, Junior Hannah Carter was selected to the National Honor Choir out of over 4,000 auditionees in the entire country.
Our Theatre performed Brunch and Broadway Cabaret, Elf: The Musical, All I Need to Know I Learned By Being in a Bad Murder Mystery (student directed), The 146 Point Flame, Rabbit Hole, and The Diary of Anne Frank. The 146 Point Flame received Superior ratings from the judges, and all cast members received a Superior acting award. Students were also awarded "Creative Use of Set and Props” and "Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design and Execution." The same play was the only play selected by judges to represent the state of South Carolina at the National Conference. Visual Arts programs also produced several gallery shows including an AP Art Showcase.
Our Athletics program continued to excel this year with 21 of our 21 varsity sports teams qualifying for 4A playoffs: 14 region championships, 3 teams competed for upper state championships, Cheer Team was state Runner up, and Baseball & Softball won the 4A State Championship. Seven coaches named region coach of the year, and 3 were named 4A state coaches of the year.
For the 3rd year in a row, our NJROTC Navy Corps of Cadets were named the Area 6 Drill, Academics and Fitness Champions! The Corps earned their 3rd straight trip to Nationals finishing 14th overall. The Corps were named the NJROTC South Carolina Marksmanship Champions. Our focus on STEM resulted in our Drone team finishing 3rd at the Area 6 Drone Championships. For the 2nd year, the corps was named the Top NJROTC Unit in the Carolinas. The Corps was also recognized by the Navy as the 3rd most outstanding unit in the nation. This was a remarkable achievement.
Career and Technology Education programs continued to provide students with real-world experience. Our Media Technology (television) program, CopperHEADSUp!, received numerous awards including best daily show in the nation at the Student Television Network Awards. The 2022 Yearbook, The Venom, received the All Southern Award by the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Digital Art and Design and Engineering supported internal and external client requests for custom engraved awards and designs for programs. Health Sciences offered students internships at local health organizations. Agricultural Sciences made use of their greenhouse with the 3rd Annual Spring Plant Sale. Student organizations contributed to their community through Food and Cold Weather Gear Drives for the Fort Mill Care Center, the Copperheads Care initiative (Angel Tree), Care Packages for local First Responders, and monetary donations for Special Olympics through our Ice Bucket Challenge and Polar Plunge.
Faculty and staff focused on bridging the gaps of achievement for EOC examinations, ACT, and SAT testing, and will continue to work with students to meet the high academic standards set by the Fort Mill School District. Our FLEX Program allowed students to receive extra academic support during the school day. Teacher professional development focused on developing processes for common assessments. We hosted two virtual academic events: AP/Dual Credit Night and Curriculum Night.
Overall, we had a great year. Students excelled in academics, athletics, and the arts. Teachers continued to hone their craft and improve instructional practices in the classroom through professional development opportunities, collaboration in PLCs, and data collection and analysis. We will continue to strive to put children first in our endeavors to continue our high level of expectations in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, and within our overall school culture.
Karena McCoy, SIC Chair
Darren Wilson, Principal
