The 2023-24 school year state report card has identified 10 schools in Lexington County that have been ranked as below-average schools.

The affected schools include five high schools, one middle school and four elementary schools.

South Carolina report cards include academic achievement, graduation rate, college and career readiness and student progress.

Each school receives an overall rating, which ranges from excellent to unsatisfactory based on a 0 to 100. The rating system is:

• Excellent: Schools scoring between 67 and 100
• Good: Schools scoring between 60 and 66
• Average: Schools scoring between 51 and 59
• Below average: Schools scoring between 40 and 50
• Unsatisfactory: Schools scoring below 39

Schools ranked below average or unsatisfactory are required to submit a turnaround plan to address areas of weakness and improve performance.

These plans must include specific, measurable goals, actions, resources, professional development and academic interventions.

Once the school has finalized the plan, it must be submitted by the district’s superintendent to the board of trustees for approval.

The board of trustees must look at this plan and revise the strategic plan. Once the board of trustees approves the turnaround plan, it will be sent to the S.C. Department of Education.

Once the SC Department of Education approves the submitted plans, the plan will be posted on the department, districts and schools’ websites, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The SCDE will monitor all districts' implementation of the plan and evaluate the students’ academic progress once a quarter.

The goal of these turnaround plans is to help the schools move out of the underperforming categories, providing students with a stronger education and opportunities.

Districts are required to upload and submit their finalized turnaround plans to the SCDE by Jan. 24, 2024.