“The S.C. Education Oversight Committee will recognize five York County schools on Monday as being among the state’s best for improving 2004 test scores in at least one disadvantaged demographic group. In Rock Hill, Rosewood Elementary School, and in Clover, Bethany, Bethel and Griggs Road elementary schools and Crowders Creek Elementary and Middle School, were singled out for ‘reducing the achievement gap.’”

“Bethany Elementary was one of the schools making the list for the past three years. Bethel and Griggs Road closed the gap for two consecutive years, and Crowders Creek had also made the list in 2002.

“In 2004, Bethany’s students on free and reduced lunch tested in the top 25 percent of children achieving the highest level — proficient and advanced — in English/language arts across the state. Bethel and Griggs Road students on assisted lunch did the same in math. Black students at Crowders Creek scored in the top 25 percent of those achieving basic and above levels in math across the state.

“Pam Cato, principal at Bethany for six years before moving to Griggs Road two years ago, has been a Clover principal for about 17 years. She cites the district's strong math program and a literacy program that begins in preschool.”

“‘We try to educate every child,’ she said. ‘We believe all children can learn.’”

“Rosewood, with about 37 percent of the students on assisted lunch, made the list for the first time with its 2004 scores. Both black children and those on free and reduced lunch achieved the top 25 percent of students statewide scoring at basic or above levels in math.”