State Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver, released the 2026 South Carolina School Report Card at the State House alongside students, parents, principals, and superintendents from across the state.
The results highlight a few surges, including the nearly 19% increased of South Carolina schools earning an overall rating of excellent: the number increased from 270 to 320.
Schools like Centerville Elementary, in Anderson School District 5, moved from a below average overall rating to an excellent overall rating.
“Never underestimate the power of consistent, intentional centered work on instruction for our children," said Centerville Elementary Principal Jenifer Seymour. “Every lesson, every encouraging word, every adjustment, and every opportunity we provide can change the trajectory of a child's life."
Blackville-Hilda High School improved its graduation rating from a below average rating to excellent. The state's overall on-time graduation percentage reached 87.5%, the highest level the state has witnessed in a decade. And student progress, particularly in middle schools, where the share earning of good or excellent student progress rating has more than doubled since 2024.
"We have worked to support our teachers and raise academic expectations in our schools, and it is encouraging to see more students succeeding in the classroom," said Gov. Henry McMaster.
Weaver attributed these success to a focus on foundational skills, such as reading.
"When we give students a strong foundation in literacy, we know that they can learn," she says, "When you look at the research behind the science of reading, which is phonics-based education, 95% of students who learn to be proficient readers, when we use direct, explicit, systematic instruction that the science of reading tells us works"
The science of reading is an approach to teaching literacy that has five pillars: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Weaver says continuing to focus on the foundational skills of math and reading, pathways to apply these learned skills, and career readiness will be key to maintaining this year's progress for success.
The South Carolina Department of Education said it is focusing on closing achievement gaps for students with disabilities. SCDE says this will require raising our expectations for what students with disabilities can achieve and ensuring access to instruction in reading and math, combined with the individualized support needed for each student. The department plans to partner with national experts who've helped other states with their outcomes.
