South Carolina’s education landscape is celebrating a milestone. The 2026 School Report Cards, released by State Superintendent Ellen Weaver, show the strongest statewide progress in a decade. The number of schools earning an Excellent rating climbed from 270 to 320, and more schools than ever received a Good or Excellent rating.
Key performance highlights
Nearly half of elementary schools and a majority of middle schools now hold Good or Excellent ratings. About 25% of elementary schools improved their overall rating this year, and high‑poverty schools posted some of the most notable gains, underscoring the message that a ZIP code does not determine a child’s destiny.
The on‑time graduation rate reached 87.5%, the highest level in at least ten years. Over eight in ten high schools earned a Good or Excellent rating for College and Career Readiness, and the gap between earning a diploma and graduating prepared has narrowed to its smallest margin in state history.
Academic achievement gains
Statewide, 61.3% of students met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts, up from 53.5% two years ago. In mathematics, 47.9% met or exceeded expectations, marking the strongest math year on record. Third‑grade reading proficiency is at an all‑time high, and middle‑school students are showing especially strong progress.
Policy actions driving results
Superintendent Weaver attributes these outcomes to a partnership among students, teachers, families, and state leaders. Over the past four years, the administration has taken several concrete steps:
- Raised starting teacher salaries by more than $10,000 to $50,500.
- Secured paid parental leave for teachers.
- Trained more than 20,000 educators in the Science of Reading and restored phonics‑based instruction.
- Launched the Palmetto Math Project to strengthen math instruction.
- Expanded the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, delivering South Carolina’s largest‑ever school‑choice program.
- Invested over $85 million in school safety, including resource officers, infrastructure upgrades, and mapping technology.
- Implemented the “Free to Focus” policy, removing cell phones from classrooms to improve focus and peer interaction.
- Reduced administrative red tape so teachers can spend more time teaching.
These initiatives were supported by the General Assembly and Governor Henry McMaster, reflecting a unified commitment to education.
Community response
Weaver’s message ends with a call to families and faith communities: “If you believe every South Carolina child is capable, creative, and full of God‑given purpose—and that poverty is never an excuse for low expectations—please share this good news with your friends and neighbors.” The tone emphasizes partnership, parental involvement, and the role of faith in nurturing the next generation.
As the state moves forward, the administration plans to build on these gains, aiming for even higher achievement levels and continued support for teachers and families.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
