(AP) -- More of South Carolina's schools and school districts reached "excellent" status on their 2011 state report cards, as areas of high poverty smashed stereotypes to claim their spot among the state's best.
On the flip side, however, several districts slid backward into the bottom tier, and dozens of schools seem stuck at the bottom.
The state Education Oversight Committee characterizes the results as a tale of two extremes.
Of the state's 1,180 schools, 19 percent improved their overall rating from 2010 to 2011, while 6 percent posted worse overall ratings.
Officials say more schools and districts are proving the challenges of poverty can be overcome.
They point to Darlington County, where 82 percent of students live in poverty. The district not only received "excellent" marks, it ranks fifth among the state's 86 districts.
Horry County schools sent out a news release saying that for the first time since report cards began being issued by the SC Department of Education, all Horry County schools got an Absolute rating of Excellent, Good, or Average.
Spokeswoman Teal Britton said 71% were rated Excellent or Good. As a district, Horry County Schools received a Good Absolute rating and an Average Growth rating.
According to Britton's news release, ten of the schools showed improved Absolute ratings, 37 maintained previous ratings, and one school received a lower rating than in 2010.
Ninety-two percent received Growth ratings of Excellent, Good or Average. Fifty-eight percent were rated Excellent or Good. Sixteen schools improved their Growth ratings, 26 maintained their ratings, and six schools declined in ratings since 2010. Fifteen schools (31 percent) scored Excellent in both Absolute and Growth ratings.
Click here to see where your local school district ranked.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
