2026 assessment results show growth across Orangeburg County

Across grades 3-8, OCSD improved in five of six tested English language arts (ELA) grade levels, or 83.3%, and four of six tested math grade levels, or 66.7%. Several schools demonstrated growth in every tested grade level within a subject, and Branchville High School once again outperformed the state on every ELA, math and EOCEP measure on which it was tested.

“These results represent more than numbers on a page. They represent students who are growing, teachers who are refining their practice and school teams that remain focused on ensuring every child has an opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Shawn D. Foster, superintendent of Orangeburg County School District. “We are encouraged by the progress, and we also recognize the areas where we must accelerate our work. Both are important as we continue our pursuit of higher intentionality, higher integrity and higher impact,” he said.

District-wide growth

In ELA, the district’s largest gain came in grade 8, where proficiency increased 8.3 percentage points, from 35.2% to 43.5%. Grade 4 increased 6.9 points, from 40.5% to 47.4%, while grade 3 increased 4.5 points, from 39.9% to 44.3%. Grade 5 was the district’s only ELA grade level to decline, decreasing 5.4 points from 44.6% to 39.1%.

In math, grade 8 demonstrated significant growth, increasing 13.3 percentage points from 12.8% to 26.1%. Every middle and high school in the district posted a gain in grade 8 math. Grade 7 math also increased significantly, rising 6.9 points from 12.9% to 19.8%. Grades 3 and 5 experienced slight declines of 0.9 and 0.2 points, respectively.

Elementary school highlights

Science performance was a significant area of growth at the elementary level. Ten of the district’s 11 elementary schools, or 90.9%, improved their grade 4 SCPASS science scores. District-wide grade 4 science proficiency increased 7.5 percentage points, from 27.9% to 35.4%.

Individual school highlights include:

• Bethune-Bowman Elementary recorded an 11.7-point increase in grade 3 ELA, reaching 45.9%.
• Whittaker Elementary posted ELA gains in every tested grade level, highlighted by a 27.8-point increase in grade 3, from 22.2% to 50.0%.
• Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Elementary recorded significant grade 3 growth in both subjects, with ELA increasing 23.3 points from 30.6% to 53.8% and math increasing 24.0 points from 22.2% to 46.2%.
• Elloree Elementary posted a 25.1-point increase in grade 4 ELA, from 40.0% to 65.1%. Grade 4 SCPASS science proficiency also increased 17.4 points, from 31.4% to 48.8%.
• Mellichamp Elementary increased grade 4 ELA proficiency by 23.4 points, from 17.0% to 40.4%.
• Sheridan Elementary increased grade 4 ELA proficiency by 16.6 points, from 27.1% to 43.8%.
• Lockett Elementary continued to demonstrate performance above the state average. In grade 4 ELA, Lockett achieved 81.5% proficiency compared with the state average of 65.5%. In grade 5 ELA, the school reached 75.6%, surpassing the state average of 63.5%. Lockett also outperformed the state in every tested math grade level, grades 3-5, and recorded a 20.7-point increase in grade 4 SCPASS science, from 68.2% to 88.9%.

Middle school highlights

Middle school results reflected some of the district’s most significant year-over-year gains. Every middle and high school serving grade 8 students, seven of seven, improved its grade 8 math performance, helping increase the district average by 13.3 percentage points, from 12.8% to 26.1%.

Among the highlights:

• Carver-Edisto Middle School posted gains in every ELA and math grade level tested, grades 6-8. Its grade 6 math proficiency increased 19.1 points, from 20.1% to 39.2%.
• North Middle/High School demonstrated math growth at every tested grade level and recorded a 14.8-point increase in grade 6 ELA, from 44.0% to 58.8%.
• Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School recorded a 28.1-point increase in grade 8 math, from 0.0% to 28.1%, and a 27.2-point increase in grade 8 ELA, from 25.9% to 53.1%.
• Lake Marion Middle School increased grade 8 ELA proficiency by 15.4 points, reaching 48.4%.
• Branchville High School outperformed the state in every tested grade level in both ELA and math. Grade 7 math increased 28.6 points, from 57.1% to 85.7%, while grade 8 math increased 35.4 points, from 39.6% to 75.0%. Branchville’s grade 6 math proficiency of 69.0% was nearly 30 percentage points higher than the state average of 40.8%.
• William J. Clark Middle School improved grade 8 ELA proficiency by 12.1 points, reaching 41.0%.

High school and EOCEP highlights

At the high school level, 2026 EOCEP results were mixed, with areas of growth as well as opportunities for continued focus. District-wide biology performance increased 2.1 percentage points, from 35.0% to 37.1%, while U.S. history increased slightly from 33.1% to 33.4%.

English 2 declined 2.6 points, from 75.0% to 72.4%. Several schools posted EOCEP results:

• Branchville High School outperformed the state on every EOCEP assessment for the second consecutive year. Branchville achieved 90.0% in Algebra 1 compared with 64.6% statewide; 93.9% in English 2 compared with 83.8%; 82.7% in biology compared with 60.9%; and 81.4% in U.S. history compared with 62.6%. Branchville’s biology passage rate also increased 11.7 points, from 71.0% to 82.7%.
• Bethune-Bowman Middle/High School posted an 11.3-point increase in Algebra 1, moving from 79.6% to 90.9%.
• Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School increased English 2 performance by 9.1 points, from 63.3% to 72.4%.
• Edisto High School recorded an 11.0-point increase in U.S. history, from 36.4% to 47.4%.

“This year’s results show real, sustained progress in many of our classrooms, particularly the growth posted by Carver-Edisto Middle, Branchville High and several of our elementary schools,” Dr. Foster said. “We are proud of the students, teachers, administrators and support teams whose hard work is reflected in these gains. At the same time, we know there is more work ahead. We will remain intentional about using our data, strengthening instruction and providing the support our schools need to continue moving forward,” he continued.

OCSD will continue its review of the 2025-2026 assessment data to identify instructional practices that are producing results, determine where additional resources and support are needed, and establish strategies for continued improvement during the 2026-2027 school year.

The district remains focused not simply on year-to-year gains, but on academic progress that ensures students across Orangeburg County are prepared for success at the next grade level, in college, in careers and beyond.

The mission of Orangeburg County School District, the catalyst of innovation and excellence, is to ensure all students discover and develop their person, purpose and platform through high-quality educational experiences distinguished by a culture of collaboration, equity and inclusion; a creative learning environment with opportunities; a commitment to nurture the academic, physical, social and emotional well-being of all. Visit us online at ocsdsc.org