At the start of the 21st Century, the challenges of global economic competition create an ever growing emphasis on the improvement of our educational system. And in South Carolina, this issue takes center stage. We are one of the five states leading the nation in systematic reform of education.

The York County school system ranks among the top districts within the state, with average SAT scores of 1009 (for 2004) compared with the national average of 1026.

The York County Public School System had an approximately enrollment of 31,696 enrolled for the school year 2003-2004. The school system includes four districts:

York School District #1
Clover School District #2
Rock Hill School District #3
Fort Mill School District #4

There are seven private schools in York County, with an estimated enrollment of over 1,800 for the 1995-96 school year. Of the schools five; Westminster Catawba Christian School, Trinity Christian School, Shekinah Christian Academy, Shield of Faith Christian Academy in Rock Hill and Blessed Hope Baptist School in York offer grades Kindergarten through high school. The Rock Hill Christian Academy offers grades Kindergarten through sixth, and Saint Ann's Catholic School offers grades Kindergarten through eighth.

Winthrop University, founded in 1886, is a coeducational, comprehensive teaching university located in Rock Hill. Winthrop, with a student body of over 5,100 students, offers an array of undergraduate and graduate programs.

The University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and has achieved additional accreditation in 21 of the 25 professional and degree programs for which national standards exist including the MBA and Executive MBA programs.

The York Technical College, located in Rock Hill, has a current enrollment of approximately 8,000 day and evening students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college provides comprehensive technical training to meet the labor needs of local and new industries as well as offering special programs to train employees for new industries locating in South Carolina.

Clinton Junior College is a private two-year coeducational college sponsored by the AME Zion Church and is located in Rock Hill. Clinton offers two-year associate degree in Business Administration, Divinity and Liberal Arts.

Traditionally, manufacturers expend a great deal of time and money to recruit and train a work force. The state's Division of Industrial and Economic Development stands ready to ensure your industry of the trained employees necessary for a profitable operation. As soon as you decide to locate in South Carolina, the services of the Technical Education System become available and continue until the plant is fully staffed. Each program is individually designed to meet the manpower needs of your company.