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.
The school district continues to expand opportunities for students in the expansion of high school Career and Technology Education (CATE). A new CATE wing was opened at Summerville High School housing a new culinary arts program and engineering. With more than 8,000 students enrolled in CATE programs this year at the three high schools, our schools strive to prepare students to be a driving force for economic development in our region. A second CATE wing will open in August 2019 at Summerville High School that will house a new Manufacturing cluster to provide 21st century learning environments for students. Expanded CATE courses were offered at the other high schools this year providing classrooms and lab facilities for Culinary Arts, Media Arts, Horticulture, Health Science, Industrial Technology, Sports Medicine, Photography, and Engineering career clusters. These expanded facilities provide comprehensive programs to prepare students for career opportunities in the high growth industries and businesses in the region.
Curriculum and instruction in all schools focus on engaging students in meaningful, relevant, and real world applications. Approximately 90% of district high school juniors earned a National Career Readiness Certificate on ACT WorkKeys job skills assessment. Through robust partnerships with local industries and institutions of higher learning, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs have expanded dramatically at every level. Joseph R. Pye Elementary School earned the distinction of being selected as a P21 Exemplar School for 2016-2017 by the national Partnership for 21st Century Learning in recognition of their 21st century learning practices in preparing students for success in college, career, and life. In the Dorchester District Two Early College Program, 54 students graduated with an Associate Degree from Trident Technical College, as well as a high school diploma. The 2019 graduating classes of 1,757 students were offered a total of $42,874,039 in scholarships. As reported on the 2018 South Carolina report card, Dorchester School District Two achieved a graduation rate of 88,7%.
Recognized as a school system of excellence, Dorchester School District Two has been awarded district-wide National Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Our schools have a proven history of offering excellent programs in academics, athletics and the arts. Twelve district schools have earned the prestigious Palmetto’s Finest Award as being among the best schools in the state. Beech Hill Elementary was named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School bringing the district total to 5 schools that have received this prestigious national award. The JROTC programs at all three high schools received Distinguished Unit Awards from their branches of the military. The Ashley Ridge High School Model United Nations Team won the prestigious Secretariat Award as Best Overall School at the state Winthrop Competition. The outstanding fine arts programs available in all district schools have garnered state and national awards, including the Kennedy Center Creative Ticket Award on three separate occasions.
Parent and community involvement is a critical component in the success of our schools. All schools have active PTA/PTSAs and active business partner programs that provide thousands of volunteers and numerous resources. Fort Dorchester Elementary School PTA received the State Board of Education’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of their outstanding parent involvement program. Flowertown Elementary was designated a National PTA School of Excellence for initiatives to involve all parents in the education of their children. 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.
