Berkeley County School District (BCSD), the fourth largest school district in the state, partners with the community to address the knowledge, skills and characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. The over 6,600 employees serve approximately 36,000 K-12 students in 47 schools. The growth in the area is rapid, and the district is working to address the needs. In fact, two new elementary schools open in the 2018-2019 school year, Foxbank Elementary and Bowen's Corner Elementary. It’s estimated that enrollment will increase by 1,000 students annually and that 20 to 23 new schools will be necessary to manage growth by 2035.
BCSD is focused on five goals: school climate, student achievement, communications, human resources and fiscal responsibility. The goals and focus areas guide the district’s continued progress and success, as outlined in the district strategic plan. In this plan, the SC Profile of a Graduate remains the primary focus for school improvement efforts. For example, students develop world-class knowledge and skills through differentiated programs at different sites such as Montessori, International Baccalaureate, Middle College, and Schools of the Arts. Each program is designed to accelerate learning and meet the specific interests and talents of students. However, every high school is focused on the College and Career Readiness indicators to ensure that we are equipping our students with the tools necessary for success. Additionally, BCSD continued its technology initiative OneBerkeley Connects in which all students grades 3-12 were equipped with an electronic device that may be used for school. As a part of this initiative, instructional technologists continue to work with teachers to help them integrate technology in the curriculum.
Of course, comprehensive career and technical education programs also continue to expand in BCSD. More businesses are partnering with school programs and this effort has expanded into multiple schools, including schools that are a part of the Rural School Initiative. The Rural School Initiative is a program targeted to assist students and programs in the more rural areas of the county. These partnerships provide relevant, authentic, problem-based learning, career exploration, and workplace experiences to prepare students to be college and career ready. Project-based activities expand student learning experiences across multiple disciplines and reflect the future college and career aspirations of students. Some program development includes a new Computer Science Discoveries course in middle schools that allows students to explore coding, algorithms, web and app development, etc. STEAM schools, such as Philip Simmons Elementary and Philip Simmons Middle, continue developing quality, relevant instruction for students while supporting creativity and career interests in areas of high demand in the job market. Additionally, a new Roper St. Francis Allied Health Academy will be opening in one of our high schools this fall. Additional emphasis will be placed on work-based learning experiences for all students in all 9 high schools.
During the 2017-2018 school year, the BCSD reading intervention that began with the Rural School Initiative was expanded to multiple schools, and reading growth was experienced at each site. Additional math supports were also employed in these areas. The academic supports as well as the career-oriented opportunities provide a wrap-around service for our neediest communities.
BCSD is creating an excellent school system to serve students now and in the future. Evidence of success at the high school level includes an increase in graduation rate of 3% over last year, now 86.5%. Advanced Placement numbers from the 2017-2018 school year show the same improvement with over 250 more students earning college credits. In fact, BCSD will begin the B4 Program in the fall of 2018 in which students who are in their second semester of their senior years may take all of their classes on the local technical college campus. This opportunity allows students to earn even more college credits prior to graduating from high school.
In elementary and middle schools, the same success continued. On the SC READY exam, the percentage of students who exceeded state expectations on ELA and Mathematics rose significantly. With an increased graduation rate, improved academic scores, and a stronger college and career readiness focus, BCSD is proud to provide Berkeley County students with a premium school experience.
