Beaufort, South Carolina, September 5, 2025
News Summary
The latest SC READY scores show varying outcomes in student performance across Beaufort and Jasper Counties. While Beaufort County has seen improvements in key subjects such as English language arts and math, Jasper County has faced declines in specific grades. Released recently, the assessments indicate areas of progress and the need for continued focus on educational achievements within both counties. Overall, Beaufort County has demonstrated consistent growth, aligning with state averages, while Jasper County’s scores highlight areas requiring attention.
Beaufort, South Carolina – The South Carolina College and Career Ready Assessments (SC READY) scores for the 2025-2026 school year have revealed varied results for schools in Beaufort and Jasper County, showcasing both improvements and declines in student performance across key subjects. Released on September 2, the assessments cover essential subject areas including English language arts (ELA), math, and science for students in grades 3-8.
In Beaufort County, educational progress was evident as the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA improved across most grades. Notably, fourth graders saw a significant rise in scores, climbing from 56.4% in 2024 to 63.3% in 2025, marking an almost seven-point increase. In contrast, sixth-grade performance slightly declined from 55.1% in 2024 to 54.9% in 2025. Despite this setback, overall ELA scores for Beaufort County saw positive trends.
Similar patterns emerged in Beaufort’s math scores, where fourth graders increased their performance from 49.5% to 54.3%, and fifth graders improved from 46.8% to 52.1%. However, sixth and seventh grades experienced declines of 1.8 and 0.9 percentage points, respectively, compared to last year. In science, fourth graders’ scores improved by 4.2 percentage points, while sixth graders experienced a smaller increase of 3.1 percentage points.
In Jasper County, the SC READY results showed mixed outcomes for ELA scores, with improvements in most grades except for sixth and seventh grades. Sixth graders experienced a slight drop from 28.8% to 28.4%, while seventh graders fell from 34.6% to 34.1%. Eighth graders, however, recorded a substantial increase in ELA scores, surging from 30.3% in 2024 to 39.8% in 2025.
In the area of math, Jasper County reported declines in third (24.1% to 23.6%), sixth (14.6% to 13.5%), and eighth-grade (11.7% to 10.2%) scores, suggesting an area needing focused efforts. On a positive note, fifth graders saw an improvement from 26.7% to 33.3%. Science assessments in Jasper indicated a seven percentage point increase in fourth-grade scores, alongside a slight uptick of 0.6 percentage points in sixth-grade scores.
Across South Carolina, hundreds of thousands of students participated in the SC READY assessments, with Beaufort County demonstrating continual growth over the past five years. Ten schools recorded a notable increase of 20 percentage points or more, while 18 schools improved by 10 points or more in 2025. The state’s goal is to have 75% of students testing at grade level by 2030.
In comparison, Jasper County’s ELA scores ranged from 51.1% to 61.1%, while Beaufort County’s scores consistently aligned with the state average of 77.1% to 85.6%. Mathematics performance in Jasper County varied from 33.2% to 58.2%, whereas Beaufort and Hampton counties matched the state mean. Science scores for both counties remained just below state averages across the tested grades.
Hampton County School District has also shown significant progress following consolidation, especially in ELA, where 53% of students met or exceeded expectations in 2024, a notable increase from previous years. In Beaufort County, 53% of schools received ratings of Good or Excellent, with eight out of nine middle schools reporting improved ratings.
Despite some gains, Jasper County’s report highlighted the necessity for improvements in high school performance, as several schools achieved average ratings.
FAQs
What are the SC READY assessments?
SC READY assessments are statewide evaluations conducted for students in grades 3-8 in South Carolina, focusing on their proficiency in English language arts, math, and science according to state standards.
When were the latest SC READY scores released?
The latest SC READY scores for the 2025-2026 school year were released on September 2.
How did Beaufort and Jasper County perform in English language arts?
In Beaufort County, most grades showed improvement in ELA scores, particularly fourth and eighth grades. Jasper County’s results were mixed, with improvements in most grades but declines in sixth and seventh grades.
What is the state goal for student testing performance by 2030?
The state aims for 75% of students to test at grade level by the year 2030.
Key Features of SC READY Scores
| County | Subject | Performance Increase/Decrease |
|---|---|---|
| Beaufort | ELA | Improved in all grades except 6th |
| Beaufort | Math | Improved in 4th and 5th; declines in 6th and 7th |
| Beaufort | Science | Improved in 4th and 6th |
| Jasper | ELA | Improved in most grades; declines in 6th and 7th |
| Jasper | Math | Declines in 3rd, 6th, and 8th grades |
| Jasper | Science | Improved in 4th and 6th |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Academic Performance Improves in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties
Lowcountry School Districts Celebrate Academic Growth
Significant Improvements in SC READY Scores for Beaufort Area
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Beaufort Welcomes Annual Water Festival Amid Safety Adjustments
Kenshon Speaks Named to Big 22 Team for Second Year
Beaufort County Reveals Plans for Gullah Geechee Cultural Center
SpaceX’s Starship 36 Explodes During Testing
69th Annual Beaufort Water Festival Set to Begin
Frasers Property Makes Second Attempt to Privatize Frasers Hospitality Trust
Additional Resources
- Island Packet Article 1
- Wikipedia: Beaufort, South Carolina
- Island Packet Article 2
- Google Search: South Carolina education scores
- Post and Courier Article
- Google Scholar: South Carolina education assessments
- SC Daily Gazette Article
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
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.
