Charleston, South Carolina, September 5, 2025
News Summary
Several school districts in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina are reporting significant academic growth as SC READY assessment results show improvements in English language arts, mathematics, and science for grades three to eight. The findings revealed a decrease in students failing to meet standards in most demographics, with Charleston County School District outperforming state averages in key areas. Other districts, including Berkeley and Dorchester, also made notable progress, setting ambitious goals for continued improvement in the coming years.
Charleston, South Carolina – Several school districts in the Lowcountry are celebrating significant academic growth as the latest SC READY assessment results reveal improvements in English language arts, mathematics, and science for students in grades three through eight. The results were announced by South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver, highlighting a decline in the number of students failing to meet educational standards across most grade levels.
The SC READY assessment results show that the proportion of students in grades three to eight not meeting the requirements for English and math skills has decreased in all but one demographic group for the year 2025. The lone exception is in fifth-grade mathematics, where the percentage of students not meeting expectations rose slightly from 22.1% in 2024 to 22.2% in 2025.
In a proactive move, the South Carolina Department of Education has set an ambitious goal for at least 75% of students to test at or above grade level in these core subjects by 2030. This initiative underscores the state’s commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for its students.
Charleston County School District Reports Landmark Improvements
Charleston County School District achieved notable results, with 65% of students reading at or above grade level, which exceeds the state average of 59.6%. Similarly, the district reported that 54% of students met proficiency in mathematics, significantly outpacing the state average of 43.9%.
In science, Charleston County’s score reached 54.5%, surpassing the state average of 48.7%. The district also excelled in Algebra I, where 64.9% of students scored a “C” or better, which is 11.8 points higher than the state average of 53.1%. The improvement in Algebra I scores represents an increase of over 18 percentage points since the 2020-2021 school year.
Biology I scores indicate that 53.9% of students scored a “C” or better, an additional 8.4 points higher than the state average of 45.5%. For English II, the district saw 74.9% of students scoring a “C” or better, up 4.9 points above the state average. U.S. History scores in Charleston County showed an increase to 56% of students achieving the same benchmark, an improvement of five points from the prior year.
Other Lowcountry Districts Make Strides
Berkeley County School District reported a 6.3% increase in SC READY English language arts scores from 2024 to 2025, with a remarkable nine-point increase specifically noted in third grade. The percentage of third-grade students not meeting grade-level expectations dropped from 28.8% to 15.9%.
Dorchester District 2 indicated growth above state percentages in English language arts across all grades, marking a continuous decrease in the “not meets” percentages over the past four years. Colleton County School District saw a striking 12% growth in English language arts scores, making them the highest-growth district in that area.
Despite Williamsburg County Schools demonstrating scores lower than state averages, they did exhibit progress year-over-year in the “meets or exceeds expectations” category. Georgetown County Schools improved from the previous year, although they still remain slightly below state performance metrics. Meanwhile, Beaufort County Schools showed a mixed performance, with some grade-level English language arts scores declining while others improved.
Future Goals and Tracking Progress
As these districts bask in their achievements, all are encouraged to sustain their momentum. The official release of state report cards is anticipated in October, which will provide further insights into progress across South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the SC READY assessments?
The SC READY assessments are standardized tests used to evaluate the academic performance of students in South Carolina, specifically focusing on English language arts, mathematics, and science for grades three through eight.
What percentage of students in Charleston County are reading at grade level?
As of the latest report, 65% of students in Charleston County are reading at or above grade level, which exceeds the state average of 59.6%.
What is the goal for student proficiency in South Carolina by 2030?
The South Carolina Department of Education aims for at least 75% of students to test at or above grade level in core subjects such as English and math by the year 2030.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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University of South Carolina Beaufort Achieves NCAA Division II Membership
University of South Carolina Beaufort Achieves NCAA Division II Status
University of South Carolina Beaufort Achieves NCAA Membership
USCB Achieves Full NCAA Division II Membership
Beaufort County Moves Forward with New Lady’s Island Middle School
University of South Carolina Ranked No. 1 for International MBA
University of South Carolina Dominates International MBA Rankings
Joshua T. Singleton Awarded Shining Star Scholar
Joshua T. Singleton Recognized as Shining Star Scholar
Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Lowcountry Schools Academic Growth
- Wikipedia: South Carolina
- ABC News 4: SC Students Growth
- Google Search: SC READY assessments
- Count On 2: Charleston County Schools News
- Google Scholar: Charleston County Schools
- Post and Courier: Charleston Schools Growth
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Live 5 News: Charleston County School District Choices
- Google News: Lowcountry Schools SC READY assessments
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.
