Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence

Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence in Ridgeland, SC, serves 739 students in grades 6-12 as part of the Jasper 01 district, offering a combined middle and high school experience in a small, rural community.

This school stands out for its remarkable success with English Language Learner (ELL) students, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide—a 5-star rating—which shows that its ESL support programs are highly effective. Similarly, African American students perform notably better here than the school's overall ranking suggests, landing in the 63rd percentile. However, the school faces significant challenges. Chronic absenteeism sits at 29.6%, and the graduation rate has been volatile, dropping to 67.0%—well below the state average of 86.7%. This is a stark contrast to nearby Hardeeville Junior /Senior High, which serves a similar population but boasts an 88.8% graduation rate. Middle school math is a critical weakness, with only 11.2% of 7th graders proficient, though the school shows relative strength in high school English, with 77.6% proficiency in English 2.

Compared to schools in the neighboring Beaufort 01 district, the gap is significant. Bluffton High and May River High both rank in the top quartile with graduation rates above 92%. Even Whale Branch Early College High, which serves a similar demographic, achieves a 34th percentile ranking and an 89.4% graduation rate. While Ridgeland's overall ranking has improved from the 2nd to the 22nd percentile over five years, the school's success with ELL and African American students proves that targeted support works. The key now is to replicate those strategies to stabilize graduation rates and address the foundational math skills needed for long-term success.