Laurens, SC—Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) celebrates key areas of improvement and sustained success following the release of the 2024-2025 School Report Card Data by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC). LCSD 55 remains anchored in accountability with A+ academics, athletics, attendance, arts, and atmosphere, as the district progresses toward Building a 5-Star Culture of Excellence 2.0. The report cards contain information on student growth, teacher qualifications, school climate, student safety, and test performance.
LCSD 55 saw positive momentum in overall school ratings. Seven LCSD 55 schools achieved an overall rating of Average for the 2024-2025 reporting period. This means their performance meets the criteria to ensure all students meet the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. This list includes Waterloo Elementary, Gray Court-Owings Middle, Hickory Tavern Elementary, Hickory Tavern Middle, E.B. Morse Elementary, Sanders Middle, and Laurens Middle.
Based on the students’ performance at Laurens District 55 High School, the District’s On-Time Graduation Rate for the 2025 cohort has increased to 84%. This marks a continued improvement from the 2024 rate of 82.6%. The district's Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate has consistently grown (80% in 2022, 80.9% in 2023, and 84% in 2025). The Annual Dropout Rate fell sharply to 1.1, representing a major decrease from 2.4 in the previous reporting year. The Five-Year Student Success Rate (5YSSR) reached 85.5%. Furthermore, the Percentage of First-Year Students On-Track to Graduate (1YOTG) is performing successfully, matching the statewide percentage at 86.6%. With regards to College Readiness and Advanced Placement coursework, 62.5% of AP exams administered received passing scores (3 or higher).
LCSD 55 Superintendent Dr. Jody Penland commented on the promising results. He said, “As we strive to provide a 5-star educational system, our focus will be to grow our areas of strength and to continue to focus on the areas we need to improve. We are dedicated to Building a 5-Star Culture of Excellence 2.0 by expanding on our A+ achievements in academics, attendance, and atmosphere for every student.”
The consistent gains in key non-academic areas—such as improved graduation rates and the dramatic reduction in dropouts—demonstrate that LCSD 55 is making deliberate, positive movements.
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