The South Carolina Department of Education has released the 2024–2025 School Report Cards, and Aiken County Public Schools continues to demonstrate strong and encouraging growth across multiple measures. This year, 46% of ACPSD schools increased an entire proficiency rating, nearly 60% earned Good or Excellent climate ratings, and no schools received an Unsatisfactory rating, reflecting meaningful gains in academic performance and positive school environments districtwide.
Last year, only two schools earned an Excellent rating and one school was rated Unsatisfactory. This year, seven schools achieved Excellent, more than tripling the number of top-rated schools, and no schools received an Unsatisfactory rating. With nearly half of schools improving a full rating and fewer schools in the Below Average category, Aiken County continues to build impressive and steady momentum in both academic achievement and school climate.
State Report Cards evaluate a comprehensive set of indicators across grade spans. Elementary and middle schools are measured by Academic Achievement on SC READY English Language Arts and Mathematics performance, Student Progress (Growth), Preparing for Success (science), Multilingual Learner Progress, and School Climate. High school report cards measure Academic Achievement (Algebra 1 and English 2), Preparing for Success (Biology and U.S. History), Multilingual Learner Progress, Graduation Rate, College & Career Readiness, On-Track to Graduate, and School Climate. Survey results from students and teachers contribute to climate ratings and provide valuable insight into the daily experience in our schools.
Together, these measures present a clear and meaningful picture of academic achievement, student growth, readiness for future success, and overall school climate across Aiken County.
“We are seeing consistent and meaningful progress across our schools,” shared Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy. “Our educators, students, families, and school leaders are working together to build strong instruction, positive culture, and supportive learning environments. We are proud of these results, and we remain committed to continued growth and academic excellence for every child.”
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT & GROWTH
Strong instruction and student progress remain central to ACPSD’s mission. This year, elementary students demonstrated academic growth in English Language Arts and Mathematics, while our middle school students continued to build momentum in English Language Arts.
CULTURE & CLIMATE
School climate continues to be a hallmark of strength in Aiken County. Districtwide climate ratings again exceeded state averages in key areas including school environment, instructional focus, and safety. Nearly 60% of ACPSD schools earned Good or Excellent climate ratings, reflecting welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environments across the district.
This year, thirteen schools earned an Excellent rating for School Climate, including seven elementary schools — Aiken Elementary, Belvedere Elementary, Byrd Elementary, Hammond Hill Elementary, Millbrook Elementary, North Aiken Elementary, and Warrenville Elementary — three middle schools — Highland Springs Middle, North Augusta Middle, and Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle — and three high schools — Aiken Scholars Academy, North Augusta High, and Ridge Spring-Monetta High.
“These results reflect schools where students feel supported, teachers feel valued, and families feel welcomed,” Dr. Murphy shared. “We are encouraged by this positive momentum and remain committed to fostering safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environments every day.”
MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS
Aiken County once again surpassed the state average in multilingual language proficiency progress, with 33.3% of multilingual learners meeting or exceeding growth targets, compared to 26.8% statewide.
Among schools rated for Multilingual Learner Progress, Millbrook Elementary earned an Excellent rating and Redcliffe Elementary earned a Good rating, demonstrating strong targeted support and instructional practices for English language development.
“Our multilingual learners are thriving thanks to intentional instruction, language supports, and dedicated staff,” shared Chief Officer of Instruction, Dr. Amy Edwards. “We are proud of their success and remain focused on accelerating language growth and academic achievement.”
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS & GRADUATION SUCCESS
Aiken County high schools continue to strengthen pathways to student success beyond graduation. This year, seven of eight high schools (88%) earned Good or Excellent ratings in College & Career Readiness, outperforming the statewide rate of approximately 75%, and five of eight earned Good or Excellent in Graduation Rate. These results demonstrate strong preparation for post-secondary opportunities.
Aiken Scholars Academy led the district with Excellent ratings in both indicators. North Augusta High School earned an Excellent Graduation Rate and strong CCR results. Midland Valley, South Aiken, and Ridge Spring-Monetta High School earned Good ratings in both areas, with Ridge Spring-Monetta also achieving Excellent in CCR. Aiken High School and Wagener-Salley High School earned Good ratings in CCR, reflecting expanding student opportunities and support.
These results reinforce the district’s commitment to ensuring students graduate not only on time, but prepared for college, careers, military service, or skilled trades.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Elementary schools across the district demonstrated strong gains, with 48% (10 schools) increasing an entire proficiency category.
Aiken Elementary earned its first Excellent rating in more than ten years under Principal Kristie Brooks. Belvedere Elementary, led by Principal Allyson Long, earned an Excellent rating and received the district’s highest climate rating. East Aiken School of the Arts, under Principal Lisa Fallaw, achieved its first Excellent rating since statewide ratings began nearly twenty years ago and earned an Excellent growth rating.
Hammond Hill Elementary, led by Principal Dede Scott, earned Excellent overall as well as in academic achievement and climate, marking a return to the state’s highest designation after more than a decade. Millbrook Elementary, under Principal Jacqueline Osteen, earned Excellent ratings overall, in academic achievement, climate, and multilingual learner progress.
Other notable successes include Byrd Elementary earning Excellent in Climate, North Aiken Elementary earning Excellent in Growth and Climate, and Oakwood-Windsor Elementary earning Excellent in Growth. Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary demonstrated remarkable progress, increasing two full proficiency categories, one of the most substantial gains in the district.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Middle schools continued to build academic momentum, with 50% (six schools) increasing a full proficiency rating. North Augusta Middle School earned its first Excellent rating in more than ten years. The school was led by Principal Kimbra Meek during this rating year; she now serves as the district’s Director of Administration, and Principal Terra van der Linden now leads the school, continuing this strong trajectory of growth and excellence.
Strong results were also seen at Highland Springs Middle and Schofield Middle, each earning Excellent in Climate and Good in Growth, and at Paul Knox Middle, which earned Good in Academic Achievement.
Beginning this school year (2025–26), all ACPSD middle schools have transitioned to an expanded block schedule for English Language Arts and Mathematics, providing increased instructional time in these core subjects. This strategic shift reflects the district’s commitment to strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy skills, supporting academic acceleration, and preparing students for high school success and beyond.
Average middle schools included A.L. Corbett, Aiken Intermediate, Jackson STEM Magnet, Kennedy, Langley-Bath-Clearwater, Leavelle McCampbell, New Ellenton STEAM Magnet, and Schofield Middle. Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle received a Below Average rating and will continue receiving targeted support.
HIGH SCHOOLS
At the high school level, 38% (three schools) increased a full proficiency rating. Aiken Scholars Academy, named the #1 public high school in South Carolina and #10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report and led by Principal Martha Messick, earned its fourth consecutive Excellent rating.
North Augusta High School earned a Good overall rating. Average-rated high schools included Aiken High, Midland Valley High, Ridge Spring-Monetta High, Silver Bluff High, South Aiken High, and Wagener-Salley High.
UNDERSTANDING SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL REPORT CARD RATINGS
Excellent – substantially exceeds criteria to ensure students meet the Profile of the SC Graduate
Good – exceeds criteria
Average – meets criteria
Below Average – in jeopardy of not meeting criteria
Unsatisfactory – fails to meet criteria
These ratings provide families and the community with a clear and comprehensive snapshot of school quality and student progress.
LOOKING AHEAD
District leaders remain focused on continued academic growth, supporting multilingual learners, strengthening school climate, and expanding pathways that prepare students for success in college, the workforce, and life after high school.
“We are proud of the gains our schools have made,” Dr. Murphy said. “We will continue strengthening instruction, expanding opportunities, and supporting our students and educators. There is more work ahead, and we remain deeply committed to moving forward together to ensure every student thrives.”
Full results are available at SCReportCards.com.
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