The School District of Pickens County perennially ranks as one of the top systems in South Carolina. Pickens County students perform at the state's highest level on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, win national competitions like the SAE International Jet Toy Challenge, and are recognized by national publications like
U.S. News and World Report and
Newsweek.
In Pickens County, leaders in the education and business communities understand the need for collaboration. During the school year, a Business and Education Partnership committee meets once a month to allow educators and business people to discuss ways to better prepare students for the workplace.
2013 - 2014 SDPC Report to the Community
Test Scores
Pickens County Students are consistently among the state's top performers when it comes to college entrance exams. In 2012, the School District of Pickens County's average ACT scores ranked #1 in the state and among individual high schools, Daniel High School lead the way with the highest average ACT scores in South Carolina.
Local Students also excelled at taking the SAT. In 2012 the School District of Pickens County finished #2 overall in South Carolina and #1 in the state among county-wide school districts. Daniel High School finished with the 2nd highest average score in the state and was SC's top traditional high school.
2015 Average SAT Scores, Pickens County and Selected Areas
| Pickens County |
507 |
510 |
485 |
1,501 |
| Indiana |
497 |
500 |
477 |
1,474 |
| Georgia |
488 |
485 |
472 |
1,445
|
| North Carolina |
499 |
507 |
477 |
1,483 |
| Pennsylvania |
497 |
504 |
480 |
1,481 |
| Florida |
491 |
485 |
472 |
1,448 |
| South Carolina |
483 |
487 |
467 |
1,428 |
| National |
495 |
511 |
484 |
1,490 |
Source: SC Department of Education, www.collegeboard.com
2015 Average ACT Scores, Pickens County and Selected Areas
| Pickens County |
22.0
|
21.9 |
22.9 |
22.2 |
22.4 |
| North Carolina |
17.5 |
19.6 |
19.0 |
18.9 |
18.9 |
| Georgia |
20.3
|
20.5
|
21.4
|
20.7
|
20.8
|
| Alabama |
20.7
|
19.5
|
21.3
|
20.4
|
20.6
|
| Ohio |
21.4
|
21.7 |
22.4 |
22.4 |
22.0 |
| Michigan |
19.3 |
19.9 |
20.2
|
20.4 |
20.1 |
| South Carolina |
19.8
|
20.0 |
20.6
|
20.3
|
20.2 |
SC Department of Education, www.act.org
Additional Test Score Data
First Class Facilities
Signs of Pickens County's Commitment to education can also be found in the facilities students attend. The school district recently completed a $364 million building program that included the construction of 4 new high schools, 2 new elementary schools and renovations and improvements to many other schools throughout the district.
The crown jewel of the building plan is the state-of-the-art Pickens County Career and Technology Center. This high-tech facility is where a new breed of student, the Scholar Technician®, receives instruction in fields such as robotics, mechatronics, and CNC machining.
Awards and Accolades
The School District of Pickens County and its students are always making news with their achievements. Here are just a few of their recent accomplishments:
- U.S. News and World Report (2012) names DW Daniel High School South Carolina's top traditional public high school
- 5th grade team from Clemson Elementary wins the 2012 SAE International Jet Toy Challenge
- Pickens County Mechatronics Team wins the 2013 State Championship; the team's 6th consective title
- 2011 FIRST Robotics Team finishes among the top 48 programs in international competition
- Newsweek ranks DW Daniel High School among the nation's 1,500 "Best High Schools"