2020-2021 Report To Parents
Fort Mill High School
School Achievements
Fort Mill High School has been recognized as a Lighthouse School by the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence for the 2021 school year. The Lighthouse School recognition is the highest honor awarded by BRSE. Through this process, BRSE collected survey data from students, parents, and faculty members. The organization conducted on-site discussion panels with representation from all stakeholder groups, as well as performed classroom observations. BRSE evaluated the data to award FMHS this honor. The administration of Fort Mill High School would like to thank the BRSE organization for their time and all the students, faculty, and community members who participated in the process.
Excellence in Athletics
This year approximately 720 of our students participated in athletics at Fort Mill High School. The school claimed six region championships in Girls Swimming, Boys Swimming, Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, Girls Lacrosse and Boys Lacrosse. Fort Mill High School also had 89 senior athletes recognized by the South Carolina High School League as scholar athletes (3.5 G.P.A. with 2 varsity letters), and 11 have committed to play a sport in college. 49 Multi-Sport Athletes that lettered in both sports and two of those lettered in three sports.
Excellence in Performing Arts
The Fort Mill Band program has a long tradition of performing and competing throughout the year. The 2020-2021 school year required more creativity and ingenuity to continue that tradition safely. With the many protocols, masks, and instrument bell covers, the FMHS Band finally got the band back together once school started in late August. Without summer rehearsals and band camp, the program was not able to put on a fall production like normal. Instead, they performed at football games and maxed out their ‘pep band’. By the end of the season, the FMHS Band had played over 40 different pieces of music in the area behind the end zone.
During the winter months, our students participated in All-Region and All-State honor auditions virtually. The Indoor Percussion Ensemble began rehearsing and putting together their 2021 Winter Production: ‘Unriddled’. The Winter Guard began rehearsing after school and have trained and produced numerous shows throughout winter and spring. The rest of the band learned the art of making music without having many opportunities to share it with others. On April 1st, Fort Mill High School Band held their first indoor concert in over a year, with all three Wind Symphonies performing, and parents watching on YouTube. There are two more concerts planned before the year ends. As the world moves closer to normal, FMHS Band program has planned a series of events to honor the legendary senior class before they graduate. One of the lessons they all learned this school year is not to take normal for granted. The program plans to make up for all the lost time, performances, and memories. The FM Band plans to return to this summer and next school year with tremendous enthusiasm and optimism for 2021-22.
The FMHS performing Arts Club, Studio E, produced a student directed production of CHECK,PLEASE February 12 and 13, 2021. Auditions and rehearsals were held and organized by the student director, senior Jenna Brown, through/on ZOOM. The week before opening, the cast worked together masked and socially distanced and performed using body mic’s with masks on! We were so proud of the kids that took a chance and made it possible for them to have a moment on the stage.
In May, the chorus, dance and theatre departments are planning to produce a two night cabaret featuring songs from the musical MATILDA, that students were unable to perform last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like all school sponsored activities, Fort Mill High School Dance Team had a unique 20-21 season. This year, the dance department had 24 participating members that virtually auditioned in May. The FMHS Dance Team was not able to attend summer camp, so the team participated in Zoom workouts three mornings per week and created virtual challenges to help prepare the team for their season. The FMHS Dance Team did not host any major events or participate in any competitions, but were able to participate in Game Day throughout the football and basketball seasons. They concluded the season at the end of February with a socially distanced Senior Send-Off in the R-Wing commons. The 21-22 Fort Mill High School Dance Team will be looking forward to participating in competitions, game day activities, and local community events around Fort Mill.
Excellence in Extra Curricular Activities
The Fort Mill High School chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) had a record number of 105 members this year. The mission of Business Professionals of America is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth and service. Eighty-six of our FMHS members were ready to compete in the State Leadership Conference in March, with hopes to advance to the National Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. Due to Covid-19 both of these conferences were canceled. BPA was able to compete in Start Up Enterprise Team virtually by business plan and video conference presentation. FMHS performed well during this competition and had 4 teams in the top 10 in the Nation and “Rejuvenate” placed 2nd in the Nation for this event. The FMHS State Officer team also made history by participating in the National BPA Officer Election via Uber conference where they interviewed 10 national candidates and voted on behalf of the state of South Carolina.
While our students faced many challenges competing virtually this year, the FMHS Mock Trial team won first place in regionals for the second year in a row, sweeping the individual awards for the second consecutive year.
At the state competition, Fort Mill High School Mock Trial team won the first round, overwhelming defeating and sweeping all three ballots by healthy margins. In the second round, FMHS Mock Trial competed against a state perennial powerhouse, and lost to them, this time by a split decision. With one win and four ballots heading into the third round, Mock Trail was the #4 seed, matched against the #1 seed, and had a chance to make the finals if they had taken all three ballots. Unfortunately, the team was defeated in that round, losing the ballots by 1, 1, and 2 points. That dropped the FMHS Mock Trial team to 7th overall, with all three of their matches coming against teams that finished in the top 5. Bob Jones ultimately beat Carolina Forest in the finals.
2021 Polar Plunge Supporting the Special Olympics
2021 FMHS Girls LAX Before State Playoff Match
2021 Miss FMHS Pageant
About the FMHS SIC
The School Improvement Council of Fort Mill High School is a group of educational stakeholders that attempt to promote and support academic achievement and civic engagement at Fort Mill High School. This group of students, parents, teachers, and community members facilitate meaningful parent and community involvement at Fort Mill High School. The SIC meets monthly to discuss ways to support academic, athletics, visual and performing arts, and student body events. Also, they review policies and set annual goals aimed at targeting areas of need specific to the students of Fort Mill High School.
The FMHS SIC goal for the 2020-2021 school year was a continuation of the 2019-2020 school year goal to address the career readiness standard associated with the SC School Report Card. As stated in the Fort Mill High School Mission, the council wished to provide resources and opportunities to aid students in becoming "productive citizens." A student is considered career ready if they met one of the following criteria: Student completed Career and Technical Education with certification Student completed a State-approved Work-Based learning experience; Student earned a platinum, gold, or silver certificate on the career readiness assessment; Student scored a 31 or higher on the ASVAB
In an effort to increase student access to resources and opportunities available to them. The Fort Mill High School Career Development Facilitator organized and implemented virtual resources to meet our students’ needs, as described by the FMHS SIC goals. Virtual Webinars were created and shared to all students that focused on the following:
No Limit November
- The Secret to Success: Soft Skills
- Creating your best application
- Creating your best resume
- Military Options
- Dream and Achieve Your Future
- Desirable Jobs for the Future
- Athletic Recruiting
College March Madness
- Virtual college fair partnership with Clemson University, Wofford College, and Converse College
Fort Mill High School sought out business and career professionals to connect with students and provide them the resources needed to be active participants in society.
The Mission of Fort Mill High School
2020-2021 FMHS SIC Members
- Meera Cirian (Chair)
- Sheila Kauffman
- Jeanene Mucci
- Lisa Sturgeon
Student Representatives
- StuCo Elected Student Representatives
Teacher Representatives
- Courtney Kountz
- Brittny Meekins-Ervin
- Audrey Siff
- Ben Tyler
Appointed Members
- Diane Dulin
- Steven Mucci
- Chuck Stegall
- Tony White
Administration
- Gales Scroggs
- Zachary Beam
Additional Information
The graduating class of 2020 contained 532 students with 62% attending 4-year colleges and 23% attending 2-year colleges or technical colleges. The average SAT score was 1117(reading and math). The average ACT composite score for Fort Mill High School students was 24. The class of 2020 collectively earned more than 12 million dollars in scholarship offers.
During the 2019-2020 end of year school closure, 769 Advanced Placement exams were given to Fort Mill High School students with 84.54% scoring a 3 or better. Fort Mill High School also boasts an on-time graduation rate of 97%. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, school ratings were not determined for the 2019-2020 school year.
Fort Mill High School Teacher of the Year: Mr. Barry Ledford
Fort Mill High School Support Staff of the Year: Mr. Randy Dennison
About Fort Mill and Fort Mill High School
About Fort Mill High School
The faculty of Fort Mill High School consists of over 130 teachers, one principal, five assistant principals, six school counselors, and one media specialist.
More than 200 course selections are offered, including Advanced Placement, Honors, and College Preparatory courses.
Fort Mill High School has over 38 co-curricular activities and 24 athletic teams
Purpose of the Report
For more information regarding the Fort Mill High School SIC please contact Zachary Beam at beamz@fortmillschools.org
Contact Us at...
Website: https://fmhs.fortmillschools.org/
Location: 215 N Hwy 21 Bypass Fort Mill, SC 29715
Phone: (803) 548-1900
Twitter: @fmhsnews