Wando, West Ashley Among District Leaders in Exit Exam

Results were mixed for Charleston School District students on the S.C. exit exam.

Eight of the district's 15 high schools scored equal or better than the state average and seven scored worse. Overall, 90.9 percent of passing the English portion and 84.4 percent passing the mathematics portion on the first try in 2012.

At Academic Magnet High School, 100 percent passed English/ language arts and 100 passed mathematics. More than 150 students took the test for the first time in 2012.

At Baptist Hill High School, 86.7 percent passed English/ language arts and 83.3 passed mathematics. Sixty students took the test.

At Burke High School, 77.2 percent passed English and 66.7 percent passed mathematics. Ninety students took the test.

At Charleston Charter for Math/ Science High School, 98.2 percent passed English and 90.9 percent passed mathematics. More than 50 students took the test.

At Charleston School of the Arts, 100 percent passed English and 99.4 percent passed mathematics. More than 150 students took the test.

At Garrett Academy of Tech, 85.9 percent passed English and 74.2 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 50 students took the test.

At Greg Mathis Charter High School, 33.3 percent passed English and 14.3 percent passed mathematics. About 15 students took the test.

At James Island High School, 94.9 percent passed English and 92.7 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 320 students took the test.

At Lincoln High School, 90.9 percent passed English and 68.2 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 25 students took the test.

At Military Magnet High School, 91.1 percent passed English and 84.4 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 50 students took the test.

At North Charleston High School, 67.7 percent passed English and 62.4 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 130 students took the test.

At R.B. Stall High School, 77.9 percent passed English and 58.5 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 250 students took the test.

At St. Johns High School, 81.3 percent passed English and 72.9 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 50 students took the test.

At , 96.9 percent passed English and 95.1 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 880 students took the test.

At , 91.4 percent passed English and 78.5 percent passed mathematics. More than 450 students took the test.

Statewide, 80.1 percent of the more than 50,000 students taking the test passed both sections on the first attempt. Nearly 90 percent passed the English/ language arts section. More than 82 percent passed the mathematics portion.

Scores increased in mathematics for every student subgroup except one, but the scores for English-Language Arts declined in every student subgroup.

“English and mathematics are the foundational subjects in education. ... Students must master skills in both subjects to be successful in their lives
after high school. To improve in both areas will require a personalized and customized education in grades K-8 so students are prepared for rigorous high school courses," said State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais in a prepared release.

High school students in South Carolina take the exit exam for the first time in the spring semester of their second year. Students cannot graduate high school in South Carolina without passing the exam.