Carolina Forest High School facilitates the development of all students to obtain the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing opportunities in academics, athletics, and humanities. The academic challenges and opportunities provided through various avenues are rich in blended learning and driven by formative data. Comprehensive digital content and proven instructional practices by highly qualified teachers are combined to promote occasions for personalized learning. Our theme for the 2018-2019 school year was “Smile & Move” or SMOVE which encouraged students and staff members to be positive and strive for excellence. The hallways include inspirational quotes and banners as well as motivational murals by our National Art Honor Society students in an effort to move students and teachers to illustrate their dedication to all with regard to accomplishing goals, building relationships, and growing as productive citizens in the greater community.
The 2018-2019 school year included the Panther Power Lunch, a program designed to provide students with opportunities for extended learning, which involved motivational or academic speakers, career information, club activities, and more. A teacher activity committee also utilized the Power Lunch time to promote events and activities designed to bring teachers together and allow interaction among teachers and students in a competitive sports setting. The 4th year district implementation of the Personalized Digital Learning (PDL) initiative was a success, with students and teachers regularly incorporating the use of one-on-one technology. Dell Latitudes were rolled out to all students in grades nine through twelve. Teachers continued to broaden their access to a variety of digital content as they also explored new ways to create their own. Our team members participated in numerous staff development opportunities to enhance instructional skills associated with the utilization of technology to promote individualized learning experiences across the curriculum.
Our school year ended with 528 graduates; 382 received scholarship offers totaling approximately $12,037,081.00. Among the many talented students in the senior class, Carolina Forest High School was privileged to have 42 Palmetto Fellows and 145 LIFE Scholarship recipients. Our third-year partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools and its Lead Higher program met with positive gains in achieving equity for all students in Advanced Placement enrollment. In fact, Advanced Placement enrollment continued to increase, along with the number of AP courses offered, which reached 24. The 2018-19 CFHS AP Academy’s membership was 122. The Academy students continued participation in job shadowing and took their second educational field trip second semester. As our Project Lead the Way enrollment grew, we added Medical Interventions in BioMedical courses and Architecture in the Engineering strand. CyberSecurity will begin in spring 2020, and all PLTW classes will earn honors credit. The performing arts program presented the Broadway musical, Newsies, in 12 amazing performances. The CFHS string orchestra program competed at the Carowinds Music Festival and received Superior ratings in every category as well as 1st Place at the high school level. The CFHS marching band—the largest in Horry County Schools received Superior ratings. Our CFHS Show and Concert Choirs both received Superior ratings and won First Place Show Choir at the "Big Apple Classic" in New York, NY and presented numerous sold-out performances during the year. Twenty-eight choral students were selected for All-County Honor Choir. The visual arts program increased in enrollment and course offerings, with several students chosen as award winners in national and local competitions and art shows. Of the 22 varsity sports at Carolina Forest High School, 19 earned a state playoff berth, with 5 teams winning the Region V AAAAA Championship.
With all the destruction that Hurricane Florence caused, the true character of our Carolina Forest cluster schools’ staff and community were displayed during the 2018-19 school year. It was impressive to see our school and community come together and provide aid for those who experienced loss. Our NJROTC staff and students led the way with their service to their school and Carolina Forest Community, earning the Distinguished Unit Award. We would like to thank our students, parents, teachers, and community members for your continued support as we progress toward our goals. Without your assistance, our continued progress would not be possible.
Gaye Driggers, Principal
Melanie Wellons, SIC Chairman
