Randall Price, Instructional Coordinator
At Batesburg-Leesville High School our faculty, staff, and administration are committed to providing the very best education possible in order to prepare our students for successful life after high school. Exciting and challenging opportunities exist in the academics, fine arts, career education, technology, citizenship, and athletics. Our students are encouraged to take advantage of the coursework, programs, and organizations that are provided. We also encourage parents and community members to get involved in the school and all it has to offer.
BLHS is currently in our third year of implementing the High Schools That Work school improvement program sponsored by the Southern Region Education Board. The administration and faculty at Batesburg-Leesville are excited about continuing with the program as we see gains in our student’s performance.
We have also implemented several new courses at Batesburg-Leesville for our students to consider. These courses include Anatomy and Physiology, APEX Learning, and virtual school. Our new program in Law Enforcement/Public Safety also continues to grow.
To complement the overall educational experience of our students a wide array of selections is available in the curriculum.
- Midlands Tech is offering several courses for dual-credit on our campus. These courses can be taken to satisfy graduation requirements as well as college credit.
- Honors and Advanced Placement courses in the core areas are also embedded in the master schedule for those students seeking the challenges of the highest academic track.
- Career and technology programs are represented through Building Construction, Agriculture, Consumer Science, Business Education, Health Science, Sports Medicine School-to-Work, and Public Safety.
- The Army JROTC program continues to offer opportunities for citizenship and service to our students.
- Visual and Performing Arts offer students chances to build and enrich their talent.
Throughout the school year we will be administering several standardized tests.
- Our district will again use the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) to assess our students' proficiency levels in Math, Reading, and Language.
- End-of-Course Examinations will be given to all students completing Algebra 1, Math Tech 2, English 1, Physical Science, U.S. History, Biology 1 and Applied Biology 2.
- The S.C. High School Assessment Program (exit exam) must be completed successfully for a high school diploma. Students will take this exam the second semester of their second year of high school. Most will take the test in April, but several students will require a fall administration.
- AP exams will be given at the end of the spring semester in the areas of English, Biology, Calculus, and U.S. History.
- Our students will also be encouraged to take pertinent tests such as the SAT, ACT, and ASVAB based on their personal goals and interests. The ACT is given on our campus and our students are encouraged to take it at BLHS.
- Other testing programs that students may be involved with are PLAN, EXPLORE, and PSAT. These are preparatory tests for the college entrance exams.
Career Clusters have been fully implemented at Batesburg-Leesville High School. Career Clusters are an exciting new federal requirement for all students with graduation dates of 2009-2010. In order to be in compliance, students are required to have an Individual Graduation Plan, which will allow them to focus their high school course selections toward a specific career field.
We are looking forward to a rewarding year. If there is anyway that I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school, at 532-9251 ext 7106 or via e-mail at rprice@lex3.k12.sc.us.
