Charleston County School District (CCSD) is celebrating major academic progress after students posted record-breaking results on the SC Ready assessment for 2024–2025, showing not only recovery from the pandemic but performance above pre-COVID levels.
CCSD Students Achieve Record Gains on SC Ready
The SC Ready exam tests students in grades 3–8 in English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science. This year, CCSD reported:
65% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA
54% in math
54.5% in science
District officials said these results mark an all-time high in reading performance, and across all subjects, CCSD students scored above the statewide average.
Superintendent Anita Huggins said the district’s recovery has gone beyond expectations:
“Our achievement is higher than it was pre-COVID and so we have recovered, and we’re excelling beyond where we were.”
Strategies Driving Success
CCSD credits its progress to a mix of classroom strategies, flexible scheduling, and student-focused support. Some highlights include:
Flexible schedules – Schools built in “flex blocks” that give teachers dedicated time for remediation and enrichment.
Co-teaching models – General education teachers partnered with special education teachers to better support students with special needs.
Expanded programs – After-school tutoring, Saturday academies, in-school math clubs, and enrichment activities helped reinforce learning.
James Island Elementary Principal Jonetta Gregory noted that the new schedule gave teachers time to focus on struggling students without sacrificing instruction. At Sanders-Clyde Elementary, Executive Principal Janice Malone emphasized making learning fun, engaging, and effective while ensuring “every child gets the support they need.”
Celebrating Success, Acknowledging Challenges
While the district is proud of the results, leaders stressed that work remains. Superintendent Huggins reminded the community that 35% of students still are not meeting grade-level expectations:
“Until every child in the system is above or at grade level – our job’s not finished.”
Officials highlighted improvements among students in poverty, multilingual learners, and students with special needs, showing progress in closing achievement gaps.
Looking Ahead
The statewide report card results will be released in October, and district leaders expect the upward trend to continue. CCSD says it will keep focusing on equity and student-centered strategies to ensure long-term gains.
The Charleston County School District’s record-setting SC Ready results show how targeted strategies, strong leadership, and community support can help students bounce back stronger than before. While challenges remain, especially for the 35% of students still below grade level, district leaders are determined to build on these historic gains and ensure success for every child.
