FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2026
GEORGETOWN, S.C. – Georgetown County School District (GCSD) students continued to build on multiple years of academic growth in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, according to the 2026 South Carolina College- and Career-Ready (SC READY) assessment results released today.
The results reflect continued progress across grades 3-8, with districtwide proficiency increasing to 55.0% in ELA and 40.6% in Mathematics. Since 2022, the percentage of GCSD students meeting or exceeding expectations has increased by more than 17 percentage points in ELA and nearly 11 percentage points in Mathematics, demonstrating sustained academic growth and the district's continued commitment to student achievement.
SC READY measures student mastery of South Carolina's college- and career-ready academic standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. District leaders use the assessment results, along with classroom performance and other measures of student learning, to celebrate successes, identify opportunities for growth, and strengthen instruction across all schools.
Several Georgetown County schools demonstrated exceptional achievement during the 2026 administration:
Waccamaw Elementary School led district third-grade performance with 84.9% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in English Language Arts and 74.5% in Mathematics.
Pleasant Hill Elementary STREAM Academy recorded 86.8% proficiency in fourth-grade English Language Arts.
Kensington Elementary School achieved 73.2% proficiency in fifth-grade English Language Arts.
Waccamaw Intermediate School posted 81.1% proficiency in fourth-grade English Language Arts and 74.8% in Mathematics.
Waccamaw Middle School continued its outstanding academic performance with proficiency rates exceeding 84% in both seventh- and eighth-grade English Language Arts and more than 75% in seventh- and eighth-grade Mathematics.
The district also celebrated significant academic growth across multiple schools:
Andrews Elementary School increased third-grade English Language Arts proficiency by more than 10 percentage points.
Sampit Elementary School increased third-grade Mathematics proficiency by more than 38 percentage points.
Rosemary Middle School increased sixth-grade English Language Arts proficiency by more than 19 percentage points.
Carvers Bay Middle STEAM Academy increased eighth-grade English Language Arts proficiency by 18 percentage points.
"These results tell a powerful story of progress, growth, and collective effort across Georgetown County School District,” said Superintendent Dr. Bethany A. Giles. “We celebrate not only where our students are today, but how far they have come. Every percentage point represents students who are learning and growing, teachers who are strengthening their practice, and families and communities who continue to believe in our students and our schools. While we are proud of this progress, we know there is still work to do. Our responsibility is to use these results to celebrate what is working, identify where we can improve, and continue strengthening instruction so that every student has the opportunity to achieve at the highest level.”
During the 2025-2026 school year, due to the implementation of the new South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics, GCSD launched a comprehensive districtwide professional learning initiative designed to strengthen classroom instruction, deepen teacher content knowledge, and improve student achievement.
“Our mathematics professional learning was intentionally designed to build teacher capacity and strengthen instruction in every classroom,” said Sherri Forrest, Deputy Superintendent for Academics & Student Services. “Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, teachers participated in targeted professional learning focused on high-quality instructional practices, collaborative planning, and the effective use of student data. We are encouraged by the continued growth in district mathematics performance and believe these results reflect the early impact of this important work.”
GCSD also expanded direct academic support for students through the Palmetto Math Project during the 2025-2026 school year.
“GCSD was selected as a Palmetto Math Project grant recipient for the 2025-2026 school year, which provided us with additional opportunities to support students beyond the regular school day,” said Fedrick Cohens, Executive Director for Academics. “Through the grant, we provided high-impact after-school tutoring for students in grades 3-5 and intensive summer mathematics instruction for students in grades 3-8. These additional learning opportunities allowed us to address individual student needs, reinforce critical mathematics skills, and help students begin the 2026-2027 school year with a stronger academic foundation.”
District leaders emphasized that while the results reflect meaningful progress, they also provide valuable information that will guide instructional planning throughout the 2026-2027 school year. Schools will continue analyzing assessment data to identify strengths, address areas for growth, and ensure every student receives the support needed to succeed.
"Our commitment remains steadfast," Dr. Giles said. "Every Role. Every Student. Every Day. This is the work of #TeamGCSD, and together, we are making an IMPACT.”