BLYTHEWOOD – Some media outlets framed the results of the 2023-24 S.C. Schools Report Card released Tuesday as showing small improvements in scores and a smaller number of students being prepared for college and career. But that was not how Blythewood High School’s scores played out.
Of the five high schools in Richland School District Two, Blythewood High’s scores in academic achievement as well as college and career preparedness led the pack.
Blythewood High had an overall ‘Good’ rating of 66; both Spring Valley and Ridge View had an ‘Average’ rating of 59; Westwood High had a ‘Below Average’ rating of 43; and Richland Northeast had an ‘Unsatisfactory’ rating of 39.
Looking at End of Course English Language Arts (ELA) for the two Blythewood high schools, BHS scored 74.6%, and WHS scored 61.5% (state average 66.4%). In Math, BHS scored 59.2%, and WHS scored 27.2% (state average 47.8%). In college preparedness, BHS scored 40.9%, and WHS scored 17.4% (state average 32.5%). In career preparedness, BHS scored 84.1%, and WHS scored 57.8% (state average 59.6%).
“We’re truly proud of our scores,” BHS Principal Matt Sherman said. “I recognize that a good grade reflects the hard work everyone has put in. I think it’s a true reflection of the culture that the Blythewood High School staff, students, and family have created here. We’re invested in it.
“Our students come to school every day to work with experts, trusted adults,” said Sherman. He said those experts have a tremendous impact on students’ success.
“And that’s clearly reflected in what we see in our test scores. We continue to have over a 92% graduation rate at Blythewood High School. Our key to that success is a collective leadership that extends beyond the administrative level to give voice to every staff member, teacher, and student,” Sherman said.
“To see our students step up as leaders and their voices have impact on their educational experience is the game changer,” he said.