Carolina Forest High School facilitates the growth of all students. Our school empowers students to develop world-class skills and life and career characteristics defined by the profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing opportunities in academics, athletics, and humanities. The academic challenges and opportunities provided are rich in blended learning and driven by formative data. Comprehensive digital content and proven instructional practices by highly qualified teachers combine to promote occasions for personalized learning. Our theme for the 2021-2022 school year aligned with our traditional chant, “C!C!C!..CF!” Which served as an acronym for Communicate, Connect, Commit, Care, and Facilitate”. These concepts served to be more important than ever as the 2021-2022 school year proved to be one of rebuilding. Our faculty and staff worked collaboratively to transition our students and campus back into a state of normalcy after two years of unprecedented challenges. Throughout this formidable school year, CFHS held firm to our core values, determined to help bridge the gaps created for our students.
The 2021-2022 school year ended with 628 graduates; 259 of whom plan to attend a four-year college or university and 199 planning to attend a two-year college or university. Of these college-bound students, 409 received scholarship offers, totaling approximately $10,761,593.00. Among the many talented students in the senior class, Carolina Forest High School was privileged to have 38 Palmetto Fellows Scholarship students, 409 students eligible for the LIFE Scholarship and 409 students eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. In its first year of implementation, 389 CFHS graduates earned a Seal of Distinction. Additionally, 20 graduates plan to serve in the United States Armed Forces and 33 plan to enter immediate employment. The number of dual-credit courses successfully completed increased to 145.
Academic achievements continued to be competitive at the district and state levels, with our Advanced Placement and SAT scores continuing to exhibit high academic success. Our Advanced Placement enrollment and course offerings continue to be competitive within the district and we are in our fifth year of our STEM Project Lead the Way program, offering engineering, biomedical, cybersecurity, and architectural courses. Despite the challenges faced, Carolina Forest was again listed as one of South Carolina’s Best High Schools by the U.S. News and World Report magazine and recognized as a Project Lead The Way Distinguished School.
The CFHS athletes had an incredible year with 17 varsity teams qualifying for the Region VI, 5A State Playoffs, 9 of which won the SCHSL Region VI, 5A Championship. History was made on several occasions. Boys' track set state records in the long jump, 100m, and 200m, won the state 4X100, and finished as state runner-up. The girls' tennis team went undefeated in the regular season and went on to win the SCHSL 5A State Championship. Additionally, our NJROTC program excelled this year, with the Cyber Patriot Team receiving a Gold Tier ranking and the NJROTC unit finishing 2nd in the state.
Our visual and performing arts programs speak for themselves. The CFHS marching band, the largest in Horry County Schools, received 3 Superior with Distinction state ratings. CFHS also had the only band program in the state with national qualifiers, having 3 students make the All National Band. The CFHS Indoor Winter Wind program also placed first in the state. Additionally, the Orchestra program had 3 students qualify for All-State. The performing arts program presented the Broadway musical, Cinderella, in 10 amazing performances. Our CFHS Show and Concert Choirs both received straight superior ratings, 1st place in Show Choir and 2nd place in Choral Ensemble, at the Festival Disney Competition.
In this rebuilding year, Carolina Forest High School is proud to have maintained the academic rigor and competitive spirit for which our school is known. With restrictions and quarantine guidelines in place, the true resiliency of our students was on display during the 2021-22 school year. It was impressive to see our school and community unite and make the best of a difficult year. We would like to thank our students, parents, teachers, and community members for their continued support as we progress toward our goals. Without their assistance, our continued progress would not be possible.
Gaye Driggers, Principal
Morgan Bane, SIC Chairman
