Indexes for elementary and middle schools were recalibrated in 2009, so some schools received higher grades than the previous year - and thus, more Midlands schools moved into the excellent category.
While a comparison of 2008 and 2009 results offers interesting findings, state education officials note they cannot be evenly compared, since 2009 introduced a new standardized test to ratings criteria, PASS.
The following information was compiled from S.C. Department of Education data. It includes primary, elementary, middle and high schools, but not career and technology centers or special schools.
KERSHAW COUNTY
District rating: Below Average*
Improvement (growth) rating: At Risk
Schools rated: 18
Excellent schools: 0
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 6
Schools declined: 0
Unchanged: 12
* Decline from 2008
LEXINGTON 1
District rating: Average*
Improvement (growth) rating: At Risk
Schools rated: 25
Excellent schools: 10 (Gilbert Primary; Lake Murray, Midway, New Providence, Oak Grove and Pleasant Hill elementaries; Lexington Intermediate; Lexington and Pleasant Hill middles; Lexington High
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 9
Schools declined: 1
Unchanged: 13
Note: Newer schools Forts Pond and New Providence elementaries did not have comparisons with 2008 and therefore are not reflected in those numbers.
* Unchanged from 2008
LEXINGTON 2
District rating: Below Average*
Improvement (growth) rating: At Risk
Schools rated: 15
Excellent schools: 1 (Springdale Elementary)
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 7
Schools declined: 1
Unchanged: 7
* Decline from 2008
LEXINGTON 3
District rating: Below Average*
Improvement (growth) rating: At Risk
Schools rated: 4
Excellent schools: 1 (Batesburg-Leesville Primary)
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 2
Schools declined: 1
Unchanged: 1
* Decline from 2008
LEXINGTON 4
District rating: At-risk*
Improvement (growth) rating: At-risk
Schools rated: 6
Excellent schools: 2 (Swansea Primary, Frances Mack Primary)
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 5
Schools declined: 0
Unchanged: 1
* Unchanged from 2008
LEXINGTON-RICHLAND 5
District rating: Average*
Improvement (growth) rating: At Risk
Schools rated: 19
Excellent schools: 12 (Ballentine, Chapin, Irmo, Lake Murray, Nursery Road, Oak Pointe and River Springs elementaries; Chapin, CrossRoads and Dutch Fork middles; Chapin and Dutch Fork highs
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 9Schools declined: 1
Unchanged: 9* Decline from 2008
RICHLAND 1
District rating: Below Average*
Improvement (growth) rating: Average
Schools rated: 47
Excellent schools: 5 (Brennan, Brockman, Gadsden, Rosewood and Satchel Ford elementaries)
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 29
Schools declined: 2
Unchanged: 16
* Unchanged from 2008
RICHLAND 2
District rating: Average*
Improvement (growth) rating: At Risk
Schools rated: 29
Excellent schools: 5 (Bethel Hanberry, Bookman Road, Lake Carolina, Round Top elementaries; Center for Knowledge)
Overall ratings, 2009 vs. 2008
Schools improved: 11
Schools declined: 5
Unchanged: 12
Note: Newer school Bridge Creek Elementary did not have comparisons with 2008 and therefore is not reflected in those numbers.
* Unchanged from 2008
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