Anderson School District One was ranked number 5 among 11 districts in the state with Federal Report Card Rating of “A” which was released Tuesday. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act Federal Accountability System, known as the federal report card, scores each school and district based on test scores, attendance and graduation rates.
Anderson One’s 2014 graduation rate increased from 86.9 to 91.8, the fourth highest in the state following York 4, Barnwell 29 and Calhoun.
David Havird, Superintendent of Anderson One, and the district office challenged the district to improve the graduation rate from 86.9 to 90. The teachers and administration took the challenge and met the goal. For the first time, the graduation rate is 90.8.
Havird said, “It is almost impossible to reach 90% for graduation rate but our district has focused heavily on helping more students become successful by receiving a diploma. Graduation coaches are in place to support the students at risk of dropping out. They identify at-risk students, develop intervention plans and provide resources to the school and community. This has had a very positive impact on our district”
Wren High Graduation Coach, Kathy Kaminska and Palmetto High Graduation Coach Amy McKee are advocates for the students and act as a liaison between teachers, parents, administrators, counselors, and students to build school-wide rapport, communication, and support from all stakeholders in order to increase the success of the identified students.
Ms. Kaminska said, “The positive impact of the Graduation Coach is truly realized when an at-risk student attains a high school diploma and can make the following comment:
“It’s like having a parent at school that cares. It’s a good thing because if [he/she] wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be graduating. I guess [she/he] puts things in perspective that makes me care about school and makes me come to school.”
Ms. McKee said, “This reciprocal relationship builds self-respect, self-esteem, and self-reliance in the student and also validates the value and merit of the positive impact that the Graduation Coach has on a student’s achievement, success, and future.”
Anderson One’s High Schools had the 3rd highest score for ELA in the state following York 4 and Lexington 5
Anderson One’s High Schools were 4th in the state for Math and Social Studies; Anderson One tied for 5th place in the state in Science
West Pelzer Elementary, Title I School, was one of 11 schools in the state to score 100.
All three Title I schools in Anderson One (Cedar Grove Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, West Pelzer Elementary) were named Reward Schools for Performance, the highest performing Title I schools for 2014.
Of the 38 primary schools in the state, Concrete Primary was ranked 1st in the state for Social Studies performance, 2nd in the state for ELA and math Performance and 3rd for Science.
Wren High was the 16th top high school in the state after mostly charter schools. Compared to other high schools similar to them, they were 4th in the state beating Fort Mill High, Chapin High, Landrum High, and Lewisville High.
Jane Harrison, Superintendent for Instruction, said “We believe the education of our students is extremely important and we take it very seriously. We make available to our teachers quality professional development and they in-turn provide high level instruction in the classroom. We want and expect our students to be prepared and competitive at each grade level but especially when they leave our district for college or the work place. The federal accountability results are a clear indication that Anderson One is maintaining our tradition of excellence.”
