Riverwalk Academy Students Post Strong Statewide Gains, Rank Among Top Charter Schools in South Carolina on 2025-26 State Assessments
Eighth-grade ELA scores rank 2nd among schools in South Carolina's Public Charter School District; English 2 and Biology End-of-Course scores outpace state, district, and charter-sector averages
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Riverwalk Academy, a K-12 project-based learning charter school and member of the SC Public Charter School District, today announced results from the 2025-26 SC READY and End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) assessments, highlighted by standout performance in the middle grades and in two of the school's four high school end-of-course exams.
Middle Grades Lead the Way
Riverwalk's sixth, seventh, and eighth graders outperformed state and SC Public Charter School District averages across nearly every subject tested. The standout: eighth-grade English Language Arts, where 74.6% of Riverwalk students scored Meets or Exceeds Expectations — the second-highest mark among all 21 South Carolina Public Charter District's schools reporting eighth-grade ELA scores this year, and 15.7 percentage points above the state average.
The strength carried across the middle grades:
Seventh-grade ELA: 70.8% Meets/Exceeds, 11.3 points above the state average.
Sixth grade swept all three tested subjects — ELA, Math, and Science — each finishing above both the state and SC Public Charter School District averages.
Eighth-grade Math also topped state, district, and charter-sector averages.
High School Results: English and Biology Shine
On this spring's End-of-Course exams, Riverwalk students posted an 86.96% pass rate on English 2 — outperforming the state average, York 1, and York 3 (Rock Hill), and running nearly even with the statewide charter-sector average. In Biology, 63.89% of Riverwalk students passed, ahead of the state average, both neighboring York County districts, and the charter-sector average.
“Our strong growth on SC READY is a reflection of the intentional instruction, purposeful use of data, and collaborative practices taking place throughout our middle school. Our teachers consistently analyze student performance, identify areas of need, and use that information to strategically adjust instruction and provide targeted support. Alongside meaningful PBL experiences, this work is helping students become more engaged and take greater ownership of their learning. We are committed to continuing this process across our high school to strengthen academic instruction, build on student achievement, and ensure all students are prepared for future success. This growth is a testament to the dedication of our teachers and the perseverance of our students,” said Dr. Dempsey, Dean of Instruction for Middle and High School.
About Riverwalk Academy
Riverwalk Academy is a K-12 public charter school in Rock Hill, South Carolina, serving approximately 835 students under a project-based learning model. A member of the SC Public Charter School District, Riverwalk is home to the Lions and is guided by the motto “Pride in Every Step.” For more information, visit riverwalkacademy.com.