Through it all, there were many major achievements made during the 2020-2021 school year. We have highlighted some of our Points of Pride in this edition of Spotlight One. Please go to our website (richlandone.org) to read more about the accomplishments of our students, staff, schools and departments. While the pandemic is not over yet, we are much closer to returning to a sense of normalcy. We have stayed Richland One Strong, doing what needed to be done to get to where we are now. As we prepare for the new school year, we will continue to keep everyone informed. Along with visiting our website, be sure to stay connected by following district news on Facebook, Twitter and R1TV (Spectrum Cable channel 1303).
Craig Witherspoon, Ed.D. Superintendent Richland County School District One
Richland County School District One 1616 Richland Street Columbia, SC 29201
Enjoy the rest of the summer and be safe! We look forward to the start of the new school year on Wednesday, August 18.
For more Points of Pride: www.richlandone.org
We can be proud of the way our students, staff and parents made the adjustments necessary to ensure that teaching and learning continued despite the unprecedented and changing circumstances. We are also extremely grateful to our community partners for their ongoing assistance and support.
Notice of Non-Discrimination Richland County School District One does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or other protected characteristics in its programs and activities.
PAID
Columbia, SC Permit 611
Our high school graduation ceremonies are always a tremendous joy. This year, as I listened to the commencement speeches and congratulated our graduates as they walked across the stage, I thought about the rollercoaster of a ride we’ve all been on since March of 2020. It’s not a ride that any of us expected to go on, nor one that we would’ve wanted to take if we had a choice, but we’ve navigated the dips and dives and twists and turns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic together as a Richland One family.
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
82.9%
GRADUATION RATE
POINTS OF PRIDE
2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR
Highest in the district’s history and higher than the state average for the second consecutive year
195 445 26
High school seniors were named Richland One Academic All-Stars Students completed career and technical education (CTE) programs of study
Dreher High School Athletics Field Culinary Arts Facility and Victory Program Wing at Heyward Career and Technology Center
FIRST IN THE STATE
NATIONAL HONORS & AWARDS Healthy Schools (All 46 Schools) Financial Reporting (32nd Consecutive Year) Cybersecurity (IT)
Recognized by the SC Department of Education for supporting military families
NEW FACILITIES
State Sports Championships Won by Richland One teams and individual student-athletes
Certified pre-apprenticeship program in partnership with Apprenticeship South Carolina
PURPLE STAR SCHOOL DISTRICT DESIGNATION
$65.4 Million+ Class of 2021 Scholarships Total
35
Students earned certificates and associate degrees through the dual enrollment program with Midlands Technical College more than any other district
Rosewood Elementary School Media Center
2,428,866 Meals Served to Students (March 2020-March 2021)