VIP News | October 2026

Greenville County Schools is one of the first school districts in South Carolina to reach the 90-90-90 milestone of surpassing 90% in all three of these major achievement areas: graduation rate, college/career readiness, and State Report Cards. For the second year in a row, the graduation rate has surpassed 90%—reaching 92.2% for the Class of 2026, a 19.8-point increase since 2012! 90.5% of the Class of 2026 graduated college- or career-ready, a 24.9-point improvement over six years! 98.9% of GCS schools were rated excellent, good, or average—a 10.5-point increase in two years! Earning a place in the 90-90-90 Club is a powerful reflection of the GCS Advantage in action. This achievement belongs to our students and the educators and staff who support them, as well as our administrators, Board of Trustees, families, and community partners whose collective commitment helps every student reach higher. These results emphasize the powerful advantage of a Greenville County Schools education, where there are Stronger Communities, Greater Opportunities!

Greenville County Schools broke ground last week on the new Bryson Middle School, a 168,000-square-foot, two-story facility scheduled to open in 2028 at 905 Fairview Road in Simpsonville. Located on a 74-acre site approximately 3.5 miles from the current school, the new Bryson Middle will feature 56 instructional spaces and serve up to 1,000 students, with core facilities designed to accommodate future expansion to 1,200. Designed by Quackenbush Architects + Planners and constructed by Vannoy Construction, the school will support project-based and team-based learning through collaborative classrooms and secure outdoor learning courtyards, along with a gymnatorium, dance studio, agriculture greenhouse and extensive athletic facilities. The design draws inspiration from the Simpsonville area’s agricultural history while incorporating elements of the current Bryson Middle School to honor the school’s legacy. Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster, members of the GCS Board of Trustees, Bryson Middle School Principal Caroline Bohnenberger, students, faculty, staff and community members participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Eight Greenville County Schools elementary schools rank among South Carolina’s top 25 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings: Sterling School (No. 3), Augusta Circle Elementary (No. 4), Tigerville Elementary (No. 5), Stone Academy (No. 6), Oakview Elementary (No. 8), Buena Vista Elementary (No. 14), Pelham Road Elementary (No. 19), and Monarch Elementary (No. 25). U.S. News analyzed 107,223 pre-K, elementary and middle schools, assessing schools within each state based on student performance on state mathematics and reading/language arts assessments. Half of the ranking formula measured test scores, while the other half considered those results in the context of students’ socioeconomic characteristics, recognizing schools for both high achievement and success in serving students from different backgrounds. These rankings reflect the dedication of students, teachers, staff, and families and highlight the GCS Advantage: strong schools and exceptional opportunities that help students build a foundation for success. View the full rankings⁠.

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Henry Carver, a fifth-grade student at Crestview Elementary School.

Recognition

GCS Board Chair Dr. Carolyn Styles and Trustee Scott Cline were recognized for their achievements in the South Carolina School Boards Association’s Boardsmanship Institute, with Styles attaining Level 2 and Cline attaining Level 1. The program provides year-round training focused on leadership skills and state and national education issues.

Adoption of Consent Calendar

2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - September 22, 2026

2.02 Minutes, Special Called Meeting - October 13, 2026

2.03 Personnel Recommendations (Executive Session) - None

2.04 Home Schooling Applications (Executive Session) - 8

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster highlighted the district’s continued academic and workforce success, including record graduation and college/career readiness rates, significant growth in college credits and industry certifications, competitive teacher pay, and a declining teacher turnover rate.

Dr. Royster also shared an update on the request by the Board to get more information about impact fees. The Administration has received an initial draft report back from TischlerBise, the firm engaged to do the study, and we are in the process of reviewing it.

Innovative and Honors Course Approvals

The Board approved two new local honors courses, Cosmetology 1 Honors and Cosmetology 2 Honors, designed to prepare students for continued advancement toward South Carolina State Board Licensure requirements.

SCSBA Delegates

Board members approved the slate of delegates for the 2026 SCSBA Delegate Assembly, with each Trustee serving as both a delegate and alternate and voting assignments distributed among the Board.

Duke Easement at Woodmont Middle School and Sue Cleveland Elementary School

Trustees approved a perpetual and non-exclusive utility easement at Woodmont Middle School and Sue Cleveland Elementary School.

Physical Education Exemptions (Executive Committee)

The Board approved physical education exemptions for one student at Hillcrest High School and one student at Woodmont High School.

BEST Director Reappointments

The Board approved the reappointment of James W. Blakely, Jr., Duke McCall, William Renninger, and Joseph F. Sullivan to additional three-year terms on the Building Equity Sooner for Tomorrow Board of Directors.

The District’s monthly financial statements were presented to the Board of Trustees as an information item.

The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.