Fort Mill, August 22, 2025
News Summary
The Fort Mill School District’s partnership with Winthrop University is set to enhance college-level coursework access for high school students. Nearly 70% of the Class of 2025 are expected to earn college credits through AP, Dual Credit, and PLTW courses. With significant enrollment in these programs and high passage rates, the district aims to prepare students for higher education while addressing participation gaps among underrepresented groups.
Fort Mill – The Fort Mill School District’s partnership with Winthrop University is enhancing access to college-level coursework for high school students. This initiative is set to provide students with advanced academic opportunities, enabling nearly 70% of the Class of 2025 to earn college credits through Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses.
Out of 1,373 students in the Class of 2025, 956 have already taken at least one college credit course. In contrast, only 417 students, or 30%, have not participated in any college credit courses. These efforts are designed to equip students with essential skills such as time management, critical thinking, and scholarly writing, further preparing them for the demands of higher education.
The district aims to create pathways for students to potentially graduate high school with an associate degree or higher. Currently, Fort Mill offers 25 AP courses in various disciplines, including social studies, science, arts, and languages, allowing students to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum. Each May, students take AP national exams, with scores ranging from 1 to 5; many colleges award credits for scores of 3 or higher.
Since 2005-2006, AP participation in Fort Mill has skyrocketed from 203 exams to a projected 2,648 in the 2024–2025 school year. The AP passage rate at Fort Mill is notably high at 86.5%, significantly surpassing the global average of 66.8% in 2024. This indicates that students are not only enrolling in AP courses in greater numbers but are also succeeding in them.
In addition to AP courses, the partnership with Winthrop University allows high school students to take Dual Credit classes. Unlike AP credits, which are contingent on exam performance, Dual Credit credits are awarded upon successful course completion. The passage rate for Dual Credit courses has been exceptionally high at 99.9%, reflecting the strong performance of the 1,320 enrolled students in the 2022-2023 school year. Enrollment in Dual Credit courses is rising, with projections of over 3,400 students in the 2024–2025 school year.
The PLTW courses, which focus primarily on engineering and biomedical sciences, also provide students with opportunities to earn high school credit while converting them to dual credit based on performance. The district expects nearly 1,000 students to complete PLTW courses in 2025, maintaining the same impressive 99.9% passage rate.
Offering early college credits allows students to explore different majors, prevents them from falling behind, and aids in securing internships that will make them more competitive in the job market. The Fort Mill School District is planning further expansions at USC Lancaster’s Indian Land campus and aims to hire more adjunct-qualified teachers to accommodate the growing demand for these programs.
Looking ahead, the district is considering an early college model with dedicated faculty and facilities that could allow students to graduate high school with higher education degrees. Currently, Fort Mill schools offer over 115 distinct college credit courses, demonstrating a strong commitment to preparing students for higher education.
Efforts to evaluate and close participation gaps among underrepresented student groups are also underway, emphasizing the district’s goal of inclusive access to higher learning opportunities. Fort Mill School District has established a robust reputation for readying students for higher education, bolstered by impressive passage rates in various college courses and strong partnerships.
Key Stats
| Metric | Class of 2025 | 2024–2025 School Year |
|---|---|---|
| Students in Class | 1,373 | N/A |
| Students Taking College Credit Courses | 956 | Over 3,400 |
| Percentage Not Taking College Credit Courses | 30% | N/A |
| AP Passage Rate | 86.5% | Global Average 66.8% |
| PLTW Projected Completion | N/A | 1,000 |
FAQ
What types of college credit courses are offered in Fort Mill?
Fort Mill offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Dual Credit courses, and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses across various disciplines.
What is the passage rate for AP and Dual Credit courses?
The AP passage rate is 86.5%, while the Dual Credit passage rate stands at an impressive 99.9%.
How many students are projected to complete PLTW courses in 2025?
Nearly 1,000 students are projected to complete PLTW courses in 2025.
What advantages do college-level coursework provide to high school students?
These courses help students develop essential skills, explore majors, and can lead to tuition savings by earning college credits while in high school.
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Additional Resources
- WRHI: Fort Mill School District Expands College-Level Opportunities
- Wikipedia: Advanced Placement
- Herald Online: Fort Mill School News
- Google Search: Fort Mill School District
- WBTV: New Elementary School in Fort Mill
- Google Scholar: Fort Mill School District
- WCNC: Fort Mill Silfab School Plan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Post and Courier: Fort Mill Schools Superintendent Finalists
- Google News: Fort Mill School District
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