Berkeley County School District (BCSD) is celebrating a year of strong academic growth, with 2025 test scores showing significant gains across multiple subjects. The most notable achievement is a 6.3 percent increase in SC Ready English/language arts (ELA) scores from 2024 to 2025, including a 9 point jump in third grade. The percentage of students not meeting grade level expectations dropped from 28.8 percent to 15.9 percent in third grade.
Several schools have already reached the district’s 2030 ELA goal of 75% of students performing on grade level, including Cane Bay Elementary, Daniel Island School, Howe Hall AIMS, Marrington Elementary, Marrington Middle School of the Arts, and Philip Simmons Elementary. Across the district, many schools experienced substantial growth:
14 schools improved by at least 5 percentage points in reading.
9 schools grew 10 percentage points or more in reading.
Special services classrooms saw an 8.7 percent increase in reading over five years.
Multilingual students improved by 8.3 percent in reading over five years.
Students in poverty have achieved an 18 point gain since 2020 in reading over five years.
Growth extended beyond reading. Math scores improved in 13 schools, with five growing 10 percent or more. Science scores increased 4.3 percent since 2023, with 17 schools showing notable progress. At the high school level, students at Cane Bay, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Philip Simmons and Stratford outperformed the state average in Biology. High schools made gains in U.S. History, and matched the state average in English II.
Jennifer Croley, Interim Executive Director of Academics and Innovation, said this year’s growth is driven by the determination of BCSD students, strengthened by dedicated teachers, strong school leadership, supportive families and communities, and a districtwide commitment to academic excellence guided by Superintendent Dixon’s 2030 vision and the Board of Education’s focus on academics.
“I am incredibly proud of the amount of growth we have achieved over the past five years, recognizing that it took the collective effort of many to get us to where we are today,” Croley said. “It is encouraging to see that our hard work is reflected in the data, showing that we’re effectively meeting our students’ academic needs and ensuring they are on grade level.”
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon said achievements like these are only possible thanks to the remarkable dedication of BCSD teachers, whose belief in the district’s vision and daily commitment in the classroom truly transforms lives.
“This progress is the direct result of our unwavering focus on a robust instructional framework, ongoing refinement of instructional practices, and an intentional alignment of district initiatives and goals to the needs of all students,” Dixon said.
He also credited students, school-based administrators, BCSD’s central office, and a focused Board of Trustees who have all worked hand-in-hand to steward resources and drive BCSD’s mission forward, while parents remain essential partners in supporting the work.
“When our entire Berkeley County community believes in what’s possible and commits to making a positive difference, we create momentum that carries all of us forward,” he said.
He added, “While we celebrate these milestones, we know there is more work to accomplish but I am confident that together we will achieve even more for every student in our district.”