Walk into any school in Lancaster County School District, and you'll be impressed by the warm, inviting atmosphere that greets you. In one school, a life-size and life-like doll appears to be playing hide and seek, leaning against the wall and surrounded by antique school desks, wagons and toys. In another, a huge aquarium filled with colorful fish catches your eye, and throughout the school, you find bunnies and turtles and hamsters cared for by students. And in all our schools, the halls are filled with student work, murals and decorations. Visit any classroom, and you'll be impressed with the quality of instruction you see, the way our teachers engage children, and the eagerness and excitement students have for learning. Look at the programs and extracurricular activities our schools offer, and you'll be impressed by how much the district is doing to help students.
In Instruction:
- Our school year begins in early August so that secondary schools finish first semester before winter break and all students receive two additional weeks of instruction before standardized testing
- Sixth and ninth graders begin one day before other students to help ease the transition to their new school
- Staggered starting times so separate bus routes are possible for elementary and secondary schools, cutting costs and discipline problems
- A high school redesign project that includes organizing courses in career clusters, requiring ninth graders to complete a High School 101 course to help them adjust to high school and offering year-long English, science and math to ninth graders with teachers working in teams to ensure student success
- Homework centers at all elementary and middle schools and one high school
- The 4X4 block schedule in high schools
- Modified school-year calendars at two elementary schools, allowing three-week breaks during the school year for enrichment activities and to offer help to students who need more time to master skills
- The Open Court language arts program in elementary schools
- Comprehensive support services for at-risk elementary and middle school children and their families after school, evenings and weekends
- Eastside Academy, an alternative school for at-risk students in grades 5-9
- A charter school to pilot instruction using the multiple-intelligences theory and to provide professional development in the model to other schools' staffs
- A grant for one of three Early Head Start programs in the state for children birth to three years old
- An ongoing alignment project intended to assure that our curriculum supports the S.C. Curriculum Frameworks and academic standards
- Standards-based instruction that shifts emphasis for principals from operational management to instructional leadership and that provides materials to support quality, teaching and learning instruction in every classroom
- A careful analysis of standardized test information, including Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests results, resulting in actions to improve student achievement
- An initiative to improve the achievement of minority students
- LearnTV, the district's student-produced programming for our cable access channel, funded through grants and special revenues
- A District Honors diploma that encourages students to take and excel in more challenging courses and to engage in community service and research-based projects
- A community-wide I Love Learning Week to thank parents, individuals, businesses and community organizations that support our students
- A community-wide Celebration of Excellence in the spring to recognize students who excel academically and to recognize retiring teachers
- A partnership with the University of South Carolina Lancaster to give every fourth grader in the district swimming lessons and water safety skills
- Comprehensive business partnerships, Junior Achievement and mentoring/volunteer programs that bring into our schools adults who otherwise would have no connection to our schools
- A Professional Growth Institute that combines comprehensive week-long summer workshops with monthly follow-up sessions during the school year for more effective professional development
In Facilities
- More than $100 million spent to improve our schools since 1994, including the current construction of a new Indian Land High, conversion of the existing Indian Land High to a middle school, and additions and renovations to Buford Middle, South Middle and all high school athletic facilities
- An installment purchase plan that allows the district to meet capital improvement needs without increasing debt service millage
- Systematic replacement/maintenance cycles for painting, roofing, furniture and vehicles
In Personnel
- Increased minority recruitment efforts, resulting in a significant increase in minority teachers
- A Teacher Attendance Incentive Program to reward teachers and schools for outstanding attendance with additional supply money
- A revised teacher compensation plan to insure equity
- A Celebrate Great Teaching Program that allows students, parents, teachers and administrators to nominate teachers for Celebrate Great Teaching Awards – more than 150 teachers are recognized each year
- An organized and deliberate effort to encourage teachers to earn National Board Certification – more than 50 district teachers have earned this certification
In Technology
A technology plan to increase use of technology in instruction and administration, including laptops for every teacher to use for grading, test/handout construction, newsletters, research and other reporting – more than 4,000 computers are available in our schools for students and teachers
In Finance
Our district's first ever Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for our 2004 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report – the award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting
Our district's first ever unqualified external audit report in 1998, followed by five consecutive unqualified reports
A streamlined, allocation-based budget process that reduces paperwork, increases participation from parents and teachers, and ensures equitable allocation of resources
Limited fiscal autonomy granted to the district in 1997-98 by County Council and the legislative delegation
A fixed asset accounting system established in 1998
To find out more about our schools, go to www.lancasterscschools.org. At this site, you can get details on each individual school in our district and the complete school year calendar.
The Lancaster County Adult Education program provides both day and night classes for students seeking to improve their living and working capabilities. Basic skills upgrading, exit exam preparation, GED study and high school diploma completion courses are offered at various locations in the county. The Lancaster County Literacy Council provides volunteer tutors for adults who wish to improve their reading, writing or basic math skills.
Private
Located on a 15-acre campus, Carolina Christian Academy is a private Christian school offering classes for pre-K through 12 th grade, and in 2003-2004, nearly 400 students enrolled. Nationally and regionally accredited, the school ranks academically among the top 10 percent of all schools in the nation. More information is available at www.carolinachristian.org.
Several other faith-based schools and church-sponsored “wee schools” and kindergartens operate in Lancaster County.
Higher Education
Since 1959, the University of South Carolina Lancaster has provided a high-quality, affordable option for students beginning their post-secondary education. Originally housed in a local residence, the 140-acre campus has evolved into a comprehensive learning center enrolling over 1200 students each semester.
The Lancaster campus provides the general education requirements of most baccalaureate degrees and grants associate degrees in the arts, sciences, business, criminal justice, and technical nursing. USC Lancaster also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies through the USC Columbia College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management.
Graduate courses are available through the Extended Graduate Campus Office under the auspices of the USC Columbia Graduate School. Opportunity for area residents to pursue personal enrichment is also provided through regular programs and services and additional public service activities. USC Lancaster admits all students who show promise of academic success .
As enrollment grows, the campus has expanded, and recent construction includes the 62,000-square-foot James Bradley Arts and Sciences Building with offices, classrooms, state-of-the-art science labs, a 440-seat auditorium, and multi-purpose space for community functions, as well as the renovated and expanded Medford Library which now houses over 80,000 volumes.
For more information about the campus, visit http://usclancaster.sc.edu/.
York Technical College, only 25 miles from Lancaster, enrolls more than 4,500 full and part-time students in its credit classes. Located in Rock Hill, the campus includes 14 buildings located on 112 acres and offers two-year degrees in over 70 programs of study ranging from business and computers to health, human services and the sciences. Continuing education and training programs are also available. York Tech operates a satellite campus in the Kershaw-Heath Springs area.
Library
The Lancaster County Library is celebrating its 100th year with special programs and exhibits through October, 2005. With over 132,000 volumes, the library offers an abundance of materials to enhance lifelong learning and additional services include microfilm, videos, book cassettes, online reference materials, and public internet access. The Library houses a wealth of genealogical and historical reference materials in its Caroliniana Room. Children's outreach programs include storytelling, puppet shows, and activities for toddlers to teens. To make the library’s services more accessible, a branch library has been established in Kershaw, and plans are underway for an Indian Land branch. For residents who cannot make it into the library, a bookmobile follows a 62-stop schedule throughout the county. Library supporters are urged to join the newly organized Friends of the Lancaster County Library. For more information, visit the website at www.lanclib.org.
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