Dillon High School earned a letter grade of “B” from the South Carolina Department of Education, the agency responsible for rating all public schools in the state.  The grade is just 2.6 points away from an “A” and represents a remarkable improvement from last year’s “F” grade.  Last year’s numerical grade was 32.7 compared to this year’s impressive 87.4.
“I thank God for the hard work of our teachers and students,” said Principal Shawn Johnson.  “The support of the Dillon District Four Board, Ray Rogers, Polly Elkins, the district office staff and the community were all instrumental in our efforts.”
Two years ago, South Carolina created a letter grade system to rate the state’s schools. The grade is calculated by measuring how each student subgroup scores on English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies tests given by the state.
Dillon High’s grade improved among every single student subgroup.  Those subgroups are:  male, female, African American, White, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan, disabled, LEP and students receiving subsidized meals.
-An “A” rating means the student performance substantially exceeds the state’s expectations.
-A “B” rating means the student performance exceeds the state’s expectations.
-A “C” rating means the student performance meets the state’s expectations.
-A “D” rating means the student performance does not meet the state’s expectations.
-An “F” rating means the student performance is substantially below the state’s expectations.
The only school in Dillon District Four that earned more points than Dillon High was Lake View Elementary.  Principal Kim Walsh’s school was just 0.5 points away from an “A” and has consistently been the highest-rated school in the district.
The rating system also grades school districts as a whole by averaging the grades of each school in the district.  Dillon District Four received a letter grade of “C”.
“I’m very proud of every student, every teacher and every administrator,” said Dillon District Four Superintendent Ray Rogers.  “I think the progress they have made is unbelievable.”
Dillon High School also received the Title I Schools for Performance Award.
To view the specific grade breakdown for any school or district in the state, visit https://ed.sc.gov/data/esea/2014/index.cfm.