Summary:
The city of Ridgeland, South Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 1 elementary school, 2 high schools (one of which is a secondary academy), and no middle schools or alternative schools. The schools in this area serve a diverse student population, with high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-need student population.
Among the standout schools, Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence has the highest statewide ranking, ranking 173 out of 235 South Carolina high schools for the 2023-2024 school year. The school has shown steady improvement in its SchoolDigger rating, moving from 0 stars in 2021-2022 to 1 star in the last two school years. Additionally, the school's performance on end-of-course exams (EOCEP) is generally higher than the Jasper 01 district and state averages, particularly in Algebra 1 and English 1. In contrast, Ridgeland Elementary has a relatively low statewide ranking (573 out of 638 elementary schools in 2023-2024), but has outperformed the district and state averages on several SC READY assessments, including English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3-5.
The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance between the schools, with Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence outperforming the other two schools on most metrics. This suggests that factors beyond just student demographics and socioeconomic status may be contributing to the differences in academic outcomes. Additionally, the high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at all three schools indicate that these are high-poverty schools, which often face unique challenges in terms of resources, staffing, and student support. The low proficiency rates on state assessments across the schools highlight the need for targeted interventions and additional support to address the educational needs of these students.
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