Marlboro County High School (MCHS) remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating the World Class Skills outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Through intentional and equitable educational opportunities, we endeavor to teach, support, and foster every student's academic, social, and emotional development. Our overarching goal is to ensure that each graduate achieves one of the "Three E's": Employment, Enrollment, or Enlistment.
We are dedicated to equipping our students with the 21st-century skills essential for success in an increasingly competitive global economy. These competencies are imperative as students transition to postsecondary education, the workforce, or military service. To that end, our instructional approach emphasizes cross-curricular integration, incorporation of the arts, and implementation of research-based best practices in teaching and learning.
The administrative team at MCHS models a culture of high expectations and collaborates closely with faculty and staff to drive continuous school improvement. This collaborative effort maintains a focused commitment to both student engagement and achievement. We prioritize our students' academic, social, and emotional needs daily, recognizing the holistic nature of education.
Throughout the academic year, students engaged in diverse learning experiences to promote critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and creativity. Educators developed lessons grounded in inquiry-based learning and authentic assessments. Group assignments promoted individual accountability and collective responsibility, encouraging dynamic interaction and creative problem-solving.
This academic year, MCHS prioritized creating a safe and nurturing environment conducive to learning. We reinforced support systems to improve student attendance, increase academic performance, and expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) program completers. Our curriculum was revised to align with state standards, and we formally implemented Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to enhance instructional collaboration. Within these PLCs, educators developed common assessments, analyzed benchmark data, and refined instructional strategies to meet student needs better. Instructional non-negotiables were established, and staff engaged in critical dialogue regarding instructional rigor and relevance.
Our ongoing efforts to improve the graduation rate included targeted interventions and individualized support for students and their families to address and remove barriers to academic success. We successfully launched the Bulldawgs Boost afterschool program, offering students opportunities for seat time, credit recovery, and educational support across all core subject areas. As a result of our collective commitment to excellence, MCHS students achieved notable accomplishments in both academic and extracurricular domains:
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): National qualifiers
- Beta Club: Recipient of the National Beta School of Merit Award
- Athletics: Multiple student-athletes qualified for state-level competitions and received recognition
- Band Program: Student musicians selected for the 2023–2024 Region Band, 2024-2025 Battle of the Bands champion, 19 students made Region Honor and All-State Band.
- Future Farmers of America (FFA): Strong performances at the state competition
- Exceptional Children: Decreased self-contained disproportion, became a Unified Champion School, and hosted district-wide Special Olympics event.
- End-of-Course Examination: Increase in all subject areas passing scores of end-of-course exams, increase in perfect scores during both testing windows.
We also recognize the critical importance of community engagement in supporting student success and fostering the development of 21st-century skills. MCHS student organizations—including the Beta Club, FBLA, Academic Challenge Team, Polished Pearls, Student Government Association, Superintendent Student Advisory Council, JROTC, and athletic teams—played an integral role in serving the local community. Notable initiatives included Red Cross Blood Drives, Snuggle Up for Smiles Baby Blanket Drive, Community Highway Clean-Up Days, County wide free football clinics and the Boys Basketball Toy Drive.
Marlboro County High School firmly believes that the collective efforts of educators, students, families, and community stakeholders are essential in preparing our students to become responsible, productive, college- and career-ready citizens. As we move forward, we remain unwavering in our pursuit of educational excellence and our commitment to providing a high-quality education for every student.
Mr. David Johnson, Principal
Ms. Earlean Hall, SIC Chairperson
