Florence School District Three, with a focus on providing choice for students and offering innovative college and career readiness opportunities in a winning culture, is committed to helping all students develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. To ensure excellence in teaching and learning and to support the development of these skills and attributes, FSD3 places primary emphasis on safety, culture, a coherent and robust curriculum and ensuring highly competent and qualified teachers, staff and instructional leaders.
At the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, FCSD3 officially opened two Magnet schools: Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School for grades K-5 and J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School for grades 6-9 with plans to expand to 12th grade over the next three years. The goal of the magnet school grant is to develop student and parental choice and reduce the isolation of African-American students while enabling all students to pursue rigorous, engaging programs of study that meet challenging academic standards and provide preparation for college and careers.
The district's early college program offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credits. We now have three cohorts of Early College students. The program allows students to receive college credit while in high school. Additionally, the program provides students the opportunity to save money and reduce the cost of a college education.
FCSD3's Career and Technology Education cohort, in partnership with area technical colleges, provides students a certification track, so they are career-ready in areas such as welding, HVAC, masonry, auto tech, building construction, health science, culinary arts, nail tech, and machine tool. We have expanded our students' apprenticeship opportunities to a wide variety of businesses and industries. Florence School District Three also offers virtual opportunities for students.
The district is exploring other partnerships to include the new Continuum located in Lake City. The Continuum is housed in a breathtaking new $25 million facility in downtown Lake City and will be a regional center for education and workforce development, focused on advancing the knowledge and mastery of innovative and technical skills. Working closely with the Continuum and our local colleges, we are preparing students to thrive after high school.
With the support and shared vision from our students, parents, staff and the communities we serve, FCSD3 continues to work toward its goal of becoming a premier school of choice and graduating students who are college or career ready.
Laura Hickson, Superintendent
