The future is bright in York County—and this year’s State of Education event made that clearer than ever.

Leaders from across our four public school districts came together to share updates, celebrate achievements, and highlight how they are preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce. A powerful theme echoed throughout the morning: strong schools and a strong business community go hand in hand.

Rock Hill Schools: From Crayons to Commencement

Dr. Deborah Elder, Superintendent of Rock Hill Schools, emphasized the district’s commitment to supporting students every step of the way.

Serving more than 16,000 students and supported by over 2,400 employees, Rock Hill Schools is focused on four key goals: achieving academic excellence, optimizing resources, strengthening stakeholder engagement and district-wide consistency, and becoming the “first choice” for families.

Through its Excellence by Design framework, the district is accelerating academic outcomes while keeping students at the center of every decision. Initiatives like “Learn Where You Live,” the Applied Technology Center, and expanded dual enrollment and middle college opportunities are ensuring students graduate with both knowledge and real-world experience.

York School District One: Preparing Students Right Now

Dr. Heath Branham of York School District One brought a clear and compelling message: “We are preparing the people you will hire.”

Guided by the theme Be Seen. Be Heard. Belong., the district is equipping students for careers, college, military service, and beyond.

York One continues to shine with impressive achievements across academics, athletics, and the arts, including state championships, top statewide rankings, and national recognition such as the SREB Pacesetter School Award for the Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center.

Looking ahead, the district is investing in the future through initiatives like the new White Hill Middle School, expanded career and technical education pathways, and the development of the Western York County Ag Arena.

Clover School District: Empowering Students to Lead Their World

Dr. Sheila Quinn highlighted Clover School District’s unwavering commitment to its mission: preparing each child for a successful, productive, and responsible future.

With the guiding belief of “Each Child, Each Day… Excellence,” Clover Schools prioritize meaningful, personalized learning experiences in a safe and nurturing environment.

A cornerstone of this work is the Center for Career Innovation, which offers 22 career pathway opportunities designed to help students explore and launch impactful careers. Through a focus on empowerment, collaboration, and continuous improvement, Clover is ensuring students are equipped with the tools and confidence to lead in an ever-changing world.

Fort Mill School District: Rooted in Family, Growing Together

Fort Mill School District, represented by Grey Young, continues to set the bar for excellence at both the state and national levels.

Guided by a culture of excellence, strong community engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the district ranks among the top 1% nationwide. With a 95.9% graduation rate, top-tier academic performance, and 17 schools earning Palmetto Gold or Silver awards, Fort Mill’s impact is undeniable.

Student engagement is also a top priority, with 85% of students at Catawba Ridge High School participating in extracurricular activities, helping build well-rounded, future-ready graduates.

The district is also preparing for growth and opportunity through new investments, including the opening of Flint Hill Middle School in 2026–2027, an Early Childhood Center in 2028, and expanded dual credit partnerships with Winthrop University, USC Lancaster, and York Technical College.

Charter & Private Schools: Expanding Opportunities Through Collaboration

The conversation continued with a panel of charter and private school leaders, offering a broader view of how diverse educational pathways are preparing students for college, careers, and life.

Panelists included Dr. Robbie Compton, Head of School at Riverwalk Academy; Steve Kane, Director of Development at Westminster Catawba Christian School; and Brian Myrup, Managing Director at York Preparatory Academy.

A shared message emerged that closely aligned with the superintendents: collaboration is essential. Each panelist emphasized the importance of strong partnerships with the business community to enhance student opportunities and outcomes.

All three schools are either actively partnering with or working to expand partnerships with local higher education institutions, further strengthening their academic and career-focused offerings.

Dr. Compton also noted, and fellow panelists agreed, that their schools maintain strong, positive relationships with the public school districts. This spirit of collaboration across all educational models reflects a unified commitment to student success across York County.

A Shared Commitment to the Future

Across all districts and educational models, one message rang loud and clear: collaboration is key. Schools, businesses, and the community must work together to ensure students are engaged, supported, and prepared for success.

A standout moment from the event was hearing directly from students about their experiences in LIFT programs—powerful, real-world examples of how partnerships are already shaping the future workforce.

At the York County Regional Chamber, we are proud to play a role in this work. Through initiatives like our innovative work-based learning program, EPIC, our traveling career experience, WOW! World of Work, or going directly into a company through Business Expedition!

Ready to get involved with LIFT? Complete this form and we’ll connect you with opportunities to engage.

Together, we are building not just a stronger education system, but a stronger York County.