COASTAL OBSERVER

Report cards released this week show that a majority of schools within Georgetown County School District are on an upward trend toward meeting the state’s education goals.

Of the 19 schools within the district, 12 improved their scores and seven decreased.

Three Waccamaw schools and Coastal Montessori Charter’s middle school were rated “excellent,” none were rated “good,” 10 were “average,” four were “below average” and one was “unsatisfactory.” 

The three Waccamaw schools rated excellent last year, two district schools were good, seven average, six below average and one unsatisfactory.

Schools are rated base on results from standardized tests, graduation rates and school climate. That information is translated into a score on a 100-point scale for an overall rating. The ratings range from excellent, meaning a school substantially exceeds state expectations, to unsatisfactory, which means a school fails to meet those expectations. 

Deputy Superintendent Sherri Forrest said the report cards are important because they reflect trends.

“By the time of the end of the year, you shouldn’t be surprised,” she said.

Although scores for some county schools improved, their ratings didn’t change.

Three of the five rural magnet schools in the district are under-performing, based on the report cards.

Plantersville Elementary saw a 9-point increase in its score, the highest in the district but remained unsatisfactory.

“We’re not totally where we want to be, but I see that we’re making progress and I think that’s important,” said Darryl Stanley, principal of Plantersville Elementary.

Pleasant Hill Elementary shifted from their good rating to average after droping 13 points, the largest decrease in the district. Carver’s Bay Middle’s score decreased by 1 point to 32 and remained below average.

Carvers Bay High remained average with a 2 point increase in its score this year.

Waccamaw Intermediate, Middle and High maintained excellent ratings. The middle school scored 71, up 3 points. The intermediate school scored 65, a 2-point increase. The high school scored the highest county score: 75, a 6-point increase.

The minimum score for an excellent rating is 61 for elementary schools, 56 for middle schools and 67 for high schools.

Waccamaw Elementary School, which has kindergarten through third grade, does not receive a state report card due to its grade configuration.

School Board Member Jarrod Ownbey recognized the Waccamaw schools for their excellent ratings.

Board Member Patti Hammel congratulated schools across the district.

“Report cards don’t define us,” she said. “Those schools that did exceptionally well, kudos. Schools that made progress, kudos. It’s a team effort.”

Superintendent Bethany Giles said she focuses on school climate.

Ginny Haynes, principal of Waccamaw Middle, agreed. “When a student feels that sense of pride and success in what they’re doing, they are more apt to work harder and have some ownership in that,” she said.