Lexington, South Carolina, September 19, 2025
News Summary
Lexington-Richland School District Five reports significant improvements in SC READY assessments, with students exceeding state averages in both English Language Arts and Math. Eleven students have been recognized as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, while discussions on implementing a new proficiency-based grading system are underway. This grading approach aims to enhance student engagement and mastery of skills, showcasing the district’s commitment to fostering academic excellence.
Lexington, South Carolina – Lexington-Richland School District Five has reported significant improvements in statewide test scores, outperforming state averages on the SC READY assessments. These assessments are designed for public school students in grades three to eight, evaluating their proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.
District Five students surpassed the state averages, achieving an ELA score of 59.6% in the Meets/Exceeds category, compared to the state average of 43.9% in Math, where District Five students also outperformed the state averages in the Meets/Exceeds category.
Adding to the district’s notable achievements, eleven students have been recognized as semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These talented students come from several local high schools, including Blythewood, Brookland-Cayce, and Chapin. Furthermore, seven students from District Five have also received college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships, which provide annual awards ranging from $500 to $2,000 for four years of undergraduate study.
Among these scholarship recipients, Andrew Farmer and Kathryn Stover from Chapin High were awarded $2,500 National Merit Scholarships in May. The National Merit Scholarship Program commenced in October 2022 with the PSAT/NMSQT test, leading to over 15,000 semifinalists qualifying for the next stage of the competition.
In addition to these academic achievements, discussions are ongoing in District Five regarding potential changes to grading policies. A new proficiency-based grading system is being considered, which aims to replace traditional letter grades with evaluations focused on students’ mastery of skills. This would categorize performance as Met (M), Progressing (PR), or Needs Improvement (NI).
The proficiency-based grading initiative is currently being piloted in fifth-grade Montessori classes, and it is expected that a full rollout of the new grading policy could take up to three years. This grading system aims to support middle and high school students, particularly those struggling in classes, by ensuring that they do not receive a grade lower than 50 in quarterly and final evaluations. This initiative is expected to help retain student motivation and engagement, preventing catastrophic grades from negatively impacting overall academic performance.
With these advancements in both academic performance and grading policies, District Five continues to foster an environment of achievement and growth for its students, setting a notable example within the educational community.
FAQ
What is the performance of Lexington-Richland School District Five on SC READY test scores?
Lexington-Richland School District Five is outperforming state averages on SC READY test scores.
What are SC READY assessments aimed at?
SC READY assessments are aimed at public school students in grades three to eight.
How did District Five perform in English Language Arts and Math?
District Five students surpassed the state in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.
What are the state-level scores for ELA and Math?
State-level scores for ELA: 59.6% Meets/Exceeds; for Math: 43.9% Meets/Exceeds.
How many students from District Five are semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program?
Eleven students from District Five have been named as semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Which high schools do the National Merit semifinalists come from?
The semifinalists include students from local high schools such as Blythewood, Brookland-Cayce, and Chapin.
How many students from District Five received college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships?
Seven students from District Five received college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships.
What is the range of awards for National Merit Scholarships?
Scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for four years of undergraduate study.
What did Andrew Farmer and Kathryn Stover receive?
In May, Andrew Farmer and Kathryn Stover from Chapin High received $2,500 National Merit Scholarships.
When did the National Merit Scholarship Program start?
The National Merit Scholarship Program started in October 2022 with the PSAT/NMSQT test.
How many semifinalists have qualified to advance to finalist standing in the scholarship competition?
Over 15,000 semifinalists qualified to advance to finalist standing in the scholarship competition.
What changes are being discussed regarding grading policies in District Five?
Discussions about changing grading policies in District Five to proficiency-based grading are ongoing.
What does the new grading system aim to do?
The new grading system aims to replace traditional letter grades with evaluations of skill mastery: Met (M), Progressing (PR), Needs Improvement (NI).
Where are proficiency-based grading standards currently piloted?
Fifth-grade Montessori classes are currently piloting the proficiency-based grading standards.
How long could the full rollout of the new grading policy take?
The full rollout of the new grading policy could take up to three years.
What is the maximum grade for struggling middle and high school students?
Middle and high school students struggling in classes may not receive a grade lower than 50 in quarterly and final term evaluations.
What is the objective of the changes in grading policies?
These changes aim to retain student motivation and engagement by preventing catastrophic grades from negatively affecting overall performance.
Performance Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Overall District Performance | Outperforming state averages on SC READY test scores |
| ELA Meets/Exceeds Score | 59.6% |
| Math Meets/Exceeds Score | 43.9% |
| National Merit Semifinalists | 11 students |
| College-Sponsored Scholarships | 7 students received scholarships |
| Annual Merit Scholarship Amount | $500 to $2,000 |
| Piloted Grading System | Fifth-grade Montessori classes |
| Grading Policy Rollout Duration | Up to three years |
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Additional Resources
- Lexington Chronicle: SC READY Exam Performance
- WIS TV: Richland County Schools Report Card
- Cola Daily: National Merit Scholarships
- Post and Courier: SC Public School Improvement
- WLTX: Chapin Elementary COVID-19 Closure
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- Google Search: Education Report Cards SC
- Google Scholar: National Merit Scholarship Program
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Standardized Test
- Google News: Lexington Richland School District
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CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
