Education

 

 

“College and university growth will yield a much-needed qualified workforce .”

 

Participants were enthusiastic about the quality of education—both public schools and higher education—in Pickens County, citing statistics to back up their enthusiasm. In the weaknesses/threats, again, housing and transportation came into play, both for college/university students and for parents of school-age children.

 

 

Strengths and Opportunities

  • 26 AP courses offered
  • Career and tech center
  • Clemson University (2 responses)
  • Clemson, SWU and other universities (tech colleges)
  • College and university growth will yield a much needed qualified workforce
  • Excellent public school systems (2 responses)
  • Good reputation for public schools
  • Great institutions
  • Great school systems and great job with charter schools
  • Less than 2/4 year degree programs—high school trade centers
  • Need for 2nd Pickens County industrial park/ Tri-County center
  • Need to include tech colleges as well as universities in transportation planning
  • Pickens County Career and Technology Center
  • Pickens County ranked #2 out of 82 districts in overall SAT scores
  • Pickens County ranked #2 among SC districts for SAT scores 
  • Pickens County SAT scores higher than the national score and state score
  • Presence of world-class research university
  • Some of the best schools in the state
  • Strong network of public libraries for education, recreation, and jobs
  • Technical high school
  • Tri-County Tech

Threats and Weaknesses

  • Crime rates
  • Diversity—need more opportunities (higher education)
  • Early education access
  • Lack of access for families to participate in child’s school activities if they do not have a car access outside and 8am–5pm
  • Lack of housing and mass transit
  • More and more commuters are looking for easy, inexpensive, and safe transportation options—Pickens CATbus is needed
  • More private schools needed
  • Need Clemson University at the table
  • Need for cities (Easley, Pickens, Liberty, Clemson, Six Mile)
  • Outreach programs for kindergarten readiness/low scores for kindergarten readiness testing
  • Small thinking
  • Somewhat in debt re: public schools
  • Student/resident conflicting priorities
  • Students/alumni can’t afford downtown Clemson
  • University/college growth will continue to challenge resources and take land