Spartanburg School District Three Ranked Among Top 15 School Districts in South Carolina

Spartanburg School District Three continues to shine as a leader in student achievement and innovation, with results from the most recent SC READY and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments showing exceptional progress at every level.

The SC READY assessments, administered annually to students in grades 3–8, measure proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

This year, District Three stood out among the best in South Carolina.

  • English Language Arts:

    • 3rd and 5th grade students ranked 7th statewide, placing them in the top 10 in South Carolina. These students outperformed local Spartanburg districts, ranking 1st in the county.

  • Mathematics:

    • Students in 3rd grade ranked 2nd in the state, and 5th grade ranked 4th, placing both grades in the top 5 statewide. These students outperformed local Spartanburg districts, ranking 1st in the county.

In addition to elementary success, End-of-Course Assessment (EOC) results at the secondary level also reflect substantial improvement. Broome High School’s EOC scores in Algebra, US History, and English 2 were all above the state average and showed improvement in student performance. The percentage of students scoring C or higher in Algebra I increased from 51.8% to 71.9% — a 20-point gain in just one year. The graduation rate of 89.5% is above the state average of 86.4%

These accomplishments have earned District Three a top 15 ranking statewide from SchoolDigger.com, placing it at #14 among South Carolina’s 75 public school districts. District Three considers SchoolDigger.com the most reliable source of current data used for rankings of its kind.

Spartanburg School District Three is also advancing in post-secondary preparation. Dual Enrollment credits earned by students more than doubled, rising from 129 in 2024 to 291 in 2025, giving more students a head start on college and career readiness.

“Every child deserves access to a high-quality education. These gains are a testament to the dedication of our students, staff, and families and further affirm our place as a statewide leader in academic achievement and innovation,” said Spartanburg School District Three Superintendent Dr. Julie Fowler.

Meanwhile, Daniel Morgan Technology Center (DMTC)—the shared Career and Technical Education hub for Districts Three and Seven—is setting the pace for future-ready learning. DMTC has launched innovative programs in Electric Vehicle Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Pharmacy, Phlebotomy/EKG, Programming and Software Development, and Global Logistics. In addition, DMTC educators are shaping state and national conversations, from building South Carolina’s EV curriculum to designing the first standards for AI education.

The South Carolina Department of Education selected DMTC as one of just six pilot sites statewide for an electric vehicle (EV) training program.

Mr. Jeff Gibson, who will lead the EV initiative, also played a key role in developing the state curriculum for this innovative program. Mr. David Thornton, a DMTC instructor, was the only educator to serve on the governor’s AI task force and was instrumental in designing the standards for the AI curriculum.

“Students at Daniel Morgan Technology Center are getting a world-class education and South Carolina has taken notice,” said Dr. Fowler. “We want to break the cycle of generational poverty. Not only do our programs equip students with hands-on learning, but they also give our students the opportunity to learn from and connect with industry partners. These programs will help put our students in a position to earn – in some cases – up to $80,000 per year right out of high school. That is how we break the cycle of generational poverty.”

With outstanding academic performance, rapid growth in college and career readiness, and pioneering CTE programs, Spartanburg School District Three is proving that a small district can lead in monumental ways to ensure students are prepared to thrive in post-secondary careers.