Earlier this month, the South Carolina Ready exam results were released. Here’s how Lexington County school districts performed.

The exam is a statewide assessment in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics, and is administered to students in third through eighth grade.

Statewide, 59.6% of students met or exceeded expectations in English language arts, an increase from 53.5% in 2024. In math, 43.9% met or exceeded expectations, up from 42.3% in 2024.

Lexington County School District One

Lexington County School District One saw growth in both categories.

In English language arts, 68.3% of third graders, 70.7% of fourth and fifth graders, 68.4% of sixth graders, 66% of seventh graders and 64.9% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

In math, 60.6% of third graders, 59% of fourth graders, 53.7% of fifth graders, 50.5% of sixth graders, 44.2% of seventh graders and 64.9% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

Overall, 68% of Lexington County School District One students met or exceeded expectations in the English language arts exams. In math, 50% met or exceeded expectations.

“Assessment results reflect the combined efforts of an entire community,” Superintendent Keith Price said in a statement. “I want to thank our teachers, school administrators, instructional staff, students and families for working together every day to ensure our students continue to learn, grow and excel. These results remind us that when we care for, challenge, support, hear, celebrate and prepare one another, great things happen.”

Lexington County School District Two

Lexington County School District Two students improved by an average of nine points across all grade levels in English language arts.

Superintendent Brenda Hafner credited initiatives such as focused reading interventions, supplemental resources for textbook instructions and more.

For English language arts testing, 47.5% of third graders, 51% of fourth graders, 50% of fifth graders, 70.8% of sixth graders, 65.6% of seventh graders and 70.5% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

Fourth graders saw the most growth, compared to 41.4% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in 2024.

In math, 42.4% of third graders, 30% of fourth graders, 26.7% of fifth graders, 22.2% of sixth graders, 23.8% of seventh graders, and 26.3% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

Fourth graders also showed gains, compared to 22.6% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in last year's exam.

“We are proud of the gains we are making, though we recognize there is still work ahead,” Hafner said in a press release.

Lexington County School District Three

Lexington County School District Three saw a slight increase in English language arts results.

In English language arts, 42.7% of third graders, 47.5% of fourth graders, 54.8% of fifth graders, 46.2% of sixth graders, 51% of seventh graders, and 53% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

In 2024, 50.3% of seventh and eighth-graders met or exceeded expectations.

In math, 42.4% of third graders, 41% of fourth graders, 43.7% of fifth graders, 30.1% of sixth graders, 27.6% of seventh graders and 29.8% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

Lexington County School District Four

Lexington County School District Four also saw an increase in English language arts.

In English language arts, 48.5% of third graders, 48.1% of fourth graders, 33.2% of fifth graders, 41.4% of sixth graders, 34.7% of seventh graders and 32.2% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

In 2024, 26.3% of eighth graders and 35% of fourth graders met or exceeded expectations.

Some grade-level math scores declined this year.

In math, 46.2% of third graders, 41.9% of fourth graders, 19.1% of fifth graders, 28.6% of sixth graders, 12.1% of seventh graders and 10.6% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

In 2024, 49.3% of third graders and 14.9% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

Lexington-Richland School District Five

Lexington-Richland School District Five saw an increase in scores this year.

In English language arts, 68.2% of third graders, 71.1% of fourth graders, 69.6% of fifth graders, 59.9% of sixth graders, 63% of seventh graders and 63% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

Last year, 64.7% of fourth graders and 53.8% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

In math, 60.5% of third graders, 59.7% of fourth graders, 54.5% of fifth graders, 45.2% of sixth graders, 37.9% of seventh graders and 37.2% of eighth graders met or exceeded expectations.

“We are incredibly pleased to see our students’ hard work reflected in the improvement of our SC Ready test scores,” Superintendent Akil E. Ross said in a statement. “Achieving scores above the statewide average and improving on the district average is a testament to the dedication of our educators, students and families. This success demonstrates that with continued collaboration and support, we can create an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.”