Anderson School District Five students are showing continued academic growth, with newly released state assessment results highlighting gains across grade levels and subject areas.
According to results released by the South Carolina Department of Education, Anderson Five experienced the most overall growth in English Language Arts (ELA) performance across all tested grade levels (3-8) of any school district in South Carolina, ranking #1 in the state for ELA growth.
ELA performance also exceeded the state average at every tested grade level from third through eighth grade, while overall mathematics performance across grades 3-8 outpaced the state.
At the high school level, End-of-Course (EOC) and WIN Career Readiness assessment results provide additional measures of student achievement and areas for continued growth across the district. District leaders are encouraged by the results but remain focused on continued improvement.
“These results give us reason to be proud, but they also give us reason to keep working,” said Superintendent Dr. Brenda Kelley. “We know there is more to accomplish, but what we are seeing tells us that the work taking place in our classrooms is making a difference for students.”
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Kelly Elrod echoed that focus on continued growth, “We want to build on that momentum and continue raising expectations for ourselves and for every student we serve,” Elrod said. “This data tells us what is working, and it also tells us where targeted support is needed. That is exactly where we are focusing our efforts.”
In addition to academic growth, Anderson Five has 466 reasons to celebrate! During the 2025-2026 school year, students earned the highest possible score on 466 state assessments across the district. At the elementary and middle school levels, students earned the highest possible scores on SC READY assessments in ELA, Mathematics, and Science. High school students also achieved the highest possible scores on WIN Career Readiness and EOC assessments. EOC assessments in English II, Biology, and U.S. History accounted for 377 of the district’s top scores.
Behind each of these achievements are students doing the work, educators providing high-quality instruction, school leaders supporting that work, and families reinforcing learning at home. Anderson Five remains focused on areas where additional growth is needed while building upon the strategies producing positive results. The latest data provides an encouraging indication that those efforts are moving student achievement in the right direction.
Next up will be the release of the South Carolina School Report Cards this fall, providing another opportunity for the district to evaluate progress, identify areas for continued growth, and celebrate the achievements of Anderson Five students and schools.
The work is working, but the work continues!