Beaufort, South Carolina, September 5, 2025
News Summary
Recent SC READY test scores reveal notable academic advancements among Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties in South Carolina. Beaufort County reported significant improvements in language arts, with many schools seeing increases in scores, while Jasper County faced challenges in both language arts and mathematics. Charleston County also celebrated remarkable achievements, exceeding state averages. Despite some setbacks in certain regions, state officials attribute the improvements to updated educational methodologies. Moving forward, continued investment in education is crucial to maintain this positive trajectory for students affected by the pandemic.
Beaufort, South Carolina – Recent SC READY test scores indicate encouraging academic improvements across Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties, while also highlighting ongoing challenges in student performance. The assessments, which evaluate students in grades three through eight in language arts and mathematics, as well as fourth and sixth graders in science, aim for 75% of students to test at grade level by 2030.
In Beaufort County, language arts scores showed significant progress, with between 77.1% and 85.6% of students either approaching, meeting, or exceeding expectations. The county saw a remarkable improvement, with ten schools boosting their scores by 20 points and another 18 schools increasing by 10 points this year. In the area of mathematics, Beaufort County’s results were consistent with the state average.
Jasper County, on the other hand, reported lower scores in language arts, with only 51.1% to 61.1% of students meeting expectations. In mathematics, performance was even more concerning, with only 33.2% to 58.2% achieving proficiency. However, many parents in Jasper County believe their children are improving, despite the lower scores. Meanwhile, Hampton County experienced mixed results, with some grades surpassing state averages in language arts and others falling short.
In science, all three counties reported scores just below the state average, with Jasper County achieving the lowest performance levels; only 39.9% of fourth graders and 44% of sixth graders meeting the expected benchmarks. This trend reflects broader issues in STEM education across the region.
Contrastingly, Charleston County is celebrating what officials have described as “historic gains.” Approximately 65% of its students are reading at or above grade level, exceeding the state average of 59.6%. In mathematics, 54% of Charleston County students met proficiency levels, a significant improvement over the state’s average of 43.9%. Additionally, high school students demonstrated remarkable performance, with 64.9% scoring a “C” or better in Algebra I.
Berkeley County also reported an academic boost, noting a 6.3% increase in English language arts scores and a notable nine-point leap among third graders. Similarly, Dorchester District 2 achieved scores above the state average for English language arts across all grades and noted a decrease in the percentage of students not meeting math standards.
In contrast, Williamsburg County struggled, showing scores over 10 percentage points lower than the state average in both language arts and mathematics, with only minor improvements observed year-to-year. Georgetown County’s results were just below state averages but showcased improvements in certain grade levels compared to the previous year.
State education officials credit updated educational methodologies and targeted state support for the improvements being observed. These results suggest that South Carolina students are beginning to recover from the educational setbacks caused by the pandemic, with reading scores now surpassing pre-pandemic levels. State leaders urge continuous investment and development of strategic educational approaches to sustain this upward trajectory in student performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are SC READY scores?
SC READY scores represent the results from standardized assessments in language arts and mathematics for students in grades 3-8, as well as science assessments for grades 4 and 6.
What is the goal for student performance in South Carolina?
By the year 2030, the goal is for 75% of South Carolina students to test at grade level.
How did Beaufort County perform?
Beaufort County showed significant improvement in SC READY scores, with many schools reporting increases of 10 to 20 points in language arts.
How did Jasper County perform?
Jasper County had lower performance levels, with only 51.1% to 61.1% of students meeting language arts expectations, and even lower in mathematics.
What progress did Charleston County achieve?
Charleston County surpassed state averages in all tested subjects, reporting 65% of students at or above reading grade level.
| County | Language Arts Scores (%) | Math Scores (%) | Science Scores (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort | 77.1 – 85.6 | Average | Below Average |
| Jasper | 51.1 – 61.1 | 33.2 – 58.2 | Lowest Scores |
| Hampton | Mixed Results | In Line with Average | Below Average |
| Charleston | 65 | 54 | Average |
| Berkeley | +6.3% | Not Listed | Not Listed |
| Dorchester | Above Average | Decrease in ‘Not Meets’ | Not Listed |
| Williamsburg | Below Average | Below Average | Minimal Improvements |
| Georgetown | Just Below Average | Not Listed | Showed Improvements |
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Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Lowcountry Schools SC READY Assessments
- WTOC: Lowcountry Counties SC READY Performance
- Post and Courier: SC Public School Kids Improve Reading
- Island Packet: Education News in Lowcountry
- Your Island News: Beaufort County Schools Improvement
- Wikipedia: Standardized Test
- Google Search: South Carolina education
- Google Scholar: Education in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- Google News: South Carolina Schools
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
