The faculty and staff of Rock Hill High is facilitating the process for all students to develop the World Class Skills required to fit the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, by setting high expectations through rigorous coursework in all content areas. Rock Hill High continually provides students opportunities to excel in academics, the arts, athletics, extra-curricular activities, character development, and community involvement.
This year we had 59 students graduate with highest honors, 25 with honors, and 126 received a gold seal diplomas. One hundred and eleven students were CATE completers, and three seniors attempted to earn an IB diploma. Sixteen seniors were recognized as Advanced Placement Scholars, and six seniors were recognized as Advanced Placement Scholar Candidates by College Board. Out of 390 graduating seniors, 230 earned LIFE and 23 earned Palmetto Fellows scholarships. Graduating seniors who began their freshman year in 2018-19 were eligible to earn Seals of Distinction as outlined by the South Carolina Department of Education; 256 students qualified for one or more seals. The grand total of all scholarships offered to graduates was over $16.9 million dollars.
In our fine arts program, the Rock Hill High School Band of Distinction found much success this year. The marching band was again a state finalist in the SCBDA 5A championships. The band had 15 students earn chairs in the SC Region Three Honor Bands. The Rock Hill High School winter guard earned the Gold Medal at the Carolina Winter Ensemble Association Championships in the Scholastic Regional 3A class. The Indoor Percussion group earned the Silver Medal in the CWEA Scholastic Regional A class. The Concert and Symphonic bands earned a rating of Superior at the Concert Performance Assessment. The band program earned the SCBDA Outstanding Performance Award, which is the highest award a band can earn from the state association.
Rock Hill High’s Choral program had two members named to the South Carolina All State Chorus. Three members were named to the SC American Choral Directors' Association Honor Choir. The Orchestras had one student selected by audition for the SC Music Educators Association’s Region 1 Honors Orchestras. The ensembles combined to participate in SCMEA Orchestra Division’s Region 1 Concert Performance Assessment; earning an Excellent rating.
The Rock Hill High School Theatre Department competed in February at the Palmetto Dramatic Association/South Carolina Thespian festival with the production of “The Staggering Heartbreak of Jasmine Merriweather”. The play received a Superior rating and seven students received superior acting awards as well. In April, the theatre students competed virtually at the South Carolina Speech and Theatre Association Festival and placed 1st in Monologues and Comedic Duet Acting, and 2nd in Storytelling, Comedic Duet Acting, Dramatic Duet Acting and Group Acting.
Fifteen visual arts students were selected for the York County High School Art Show. One student received the highest award, Best in Show. Thirty-four students’ artworks were selected for the Teacher’s Choice Art Show. Our visual arts students received the following awards: 2nd and 3rd place in 3D, Honorable Mention in Mixed Media, 2nd in Drawing, and 2nd in Painting. Four students successfully completed an AP Studio Art Portfolio for potential college credit. One art student received the South Carolina Department of Education Archibald Rutledge Visual Art Scholarship.
Rock Hill High had 543 student athletes this year. Seventy of those students were multi-sport athletes. Rock Hill High had 20 athletes sign scholarships, 76 senior scholar athletes (with a GPA of 3.5 or higher), and 107 multi-sport athletes this year. Seven athletes made all-star games, and 22 students were all-state athletes. Twenty-five individual athletes made state tournaments as individuals in swim, wrestling and track and field. Two wrestlers finished as state runner-ups. We finished with a region champion in girls’ cross country. Our cheer team qualified for the upper state championships. Track and field had a state champion and three 2nd place finishes. The girls track team finished 8th in the state.
Our girls’ basketball team won the region championship as well as the 5A State Championship. Volleyball, cheer, and wrestling finished 2nd in the region. Girls track finished 5th at the upper state qualifier and boys finished 7th. Eleven teams made the playoffs this year. Sixteen sports had a combined team GPA of 3.0 of higher. Rock Hill High had 60 all-region athletes, two players of the year, and one region coach of the year.
Rock Hill High’s faculty and staff continued to focus on improving students’ achievements on End of Course, ACT, and SAT testing. Graduation rate has improved, and we will continue to focus our efforts on improving in all areas. We will continue to work with students to provide the knowledge and skills needed to compete in a global society. The School Improvement Council, and the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program continued this year to improve school climate and character education at Rock Hill High School. Students were recognized with over 2,000 Bearcat Bucks for showing Bearcat PRIDE (Participation, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, & Excellence). We hope to have continued success with our positive intervention program.
Jonathan Nunn, SIC Chair
Arthur W. Ahl, II, Principal
