SCDJJ School District | South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice operates its own school district with fully accredited academic and career and technology education programs, serving approximately 500 students in grades 4-12. All youth in DJJ’s care attend school while detained or incarcerated.

SCDJJ’s school district and schools function like any other district in South Carolina — with a district superintendent, principals, teachers, directors, and program coordinators. However, DJJ’s schools differ from other South Carolina Schools in several ways: Schools are in session year-round (enabling students to make up absences and close learning gaps). DJJ’s school district has no local tax base, relying exclusively on state and federal funding. Classes are geared to meet the individual needs of each student.

JROTC cadet on ropes course The DJJ school district is responsible for all educational programs operated by the agency, including those in private vendor programs and alternative school sites in community residential placement facilities. Youth committed to DJJ can earn either a high school diploma or a GED. DJJ’s school district also offers students a variety of CATE courses, extensive special education services, the nation’s first Army JROTC program in a juvenile correctional facility setting, media centers, career development centers, and guidance counselors. SCDJJ School District graduates receive a quality education and are equipped to pursue their post-secondary education and career goals.

District Quick Facts

The district has more than a decade-long partnership with UofSC to help UofSC graduate students prepare to become teachers, and to promote literacy and a love for reading among our youth through the UofSC-DJJ Literacy Project.
Since 2017, DJJ & DMV have partnered to assist youth in obtaining their SC DMV-issued credentials.
Project-based learning was implemented in 2018-2019. The focus was on environmental science. Youth created products including hand soap, jewelry, pet beds, candles, and handmade mats for the homeless.
Since January 2016, 26 students have earned college credits through the Allen University program at Birchwood School.
During the 2018-2019 school year, 12 DJJ-involved youth were hired with Michelin in Lexington County. These students have cumulatively worked almost 3,000 hours and earned over $40,000 in wages.

Students with pipettes Student performing at Mr./Ms. Birchwood Pageant

Meet Our 2023-2024 District Teacher of the Year

Meridth Flynn

Mrs. Meridth Flynn’s (center) impact reaches into classrooms across the school district and her tireless energy and undaunted enthusiasm for her students is felt by all who encounter her. When one her students makes even incremental progress or gets across the finish line to acquire a GED or diploma, she celebrates as if the student were her own child. She has served as an educator for more than 22 years and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina – Upstate, and a Master’s degree from Converse University. She is certified in Social Studies, English, middle level language arts and social studies, and elementary, and holds endorsements in Read to Succeed and Gifted and Talented. Being recognized by her peers for this honor speaks of her dedication and passion for her students, and serving as District Teacher of the Year brings with it opportunities to represent DJJ School District, to participate in events with other Teachers of the Year from across the state, and to compete for the honor of State Teacher of the Year.

Meet Our 2023-2024 Support Staff of the Year

Mama J

Ms. Beverly Jackson (center), affectionately known as “Mama J”, is the Communities In Schools Site Coordinator, and has served DJJ students for almost 25 years. Living a life of service, she consistently models character rooted in, motivated by, and humbly demonstrated by her faith. Her life and career continue to leave an indelible mark in the hearts, minds, and lives of others, both students and staff alike. She has been instrumental in developing programming to help the most challenging students among those in the long-term facility school.

School Records Requests

To obtain school records for students currently or previously enrolled in the SCDJJ School District, complete the appropriate form below in its entirety. For students or parents, the completed Request Form should be returned with a copy of your State Issued ID or Driver’s License. For Public Schools, please complete the appropriate form, including your District-issued email address. This information may be emailed to transcripts@djj.sc.gov or faxed to (803) 896-5953. Please allow at least 48 hours for processing of your request.

For former students more than 19 years of age, submit your request to our Archives Department via email at records@djj.sc.gov.

Student Records Request Form (PDF)
Former Student Records Request Form (PDF)

DJJ District Report Card

SCDJJ District Report Card

South Carolina Department of Education School Report Card Website

SC Schools Report Car d Website

2022-23 State Assessment Schedule

ACCESS for ELLs® and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®

English Language Proficiency Assessments, Grades K–12

January 23 - March 10, 2023

End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP)

Algebra 1, Biology 1, English 2 and United States History and the Constitution

Fall/Winter 2022

(State Window: November 28, 2022 - January 27, 2023)

Nov. 28 - Dec. 2 – Eng2 Writing Only
Dec. 5-9, 12-16 and Jan. 3-6, 9 – Alg1, Bio1, Eng2 R/W, USHC

Spring 2023

(State Window: April 26, 2023 - June 13, 2023)

Apr. 26 - May 2 – Eng2 Writing Only
May 3-23 – Alg1, Bio1, Eng2 R/W, USHC

Summer 2023

(State Window: June 26, 2023 - August 2, 2023)

July 5-7, 10-14, 17-21

SC READY and SCPASS

English Language Arts and Mathematics, Grades 3–8

Science, Grades 4 and 6

April 26 - May 23

Career Readiness Assessment

Fall Test Window

12th grade students – October 10-October 28, 2022

Spring Test Window

11th & 12th grade students – March 27-April 14, 2023

College Entrance Assessments

Administration	Date	Eligibility
Scheduled	March 7	Unexcused absence or refusal on the scheduled test date forfeits the student’s opportunity to take the assessment.
Make-up	March 21	A student is eligible for Make-up administration if s/he misses the March 7th administration for reasons other than unexcused absence or refusal and is approved by the DTC in consultation with Guidance.
Emergency	April 11	This date is reserved solely for a student who enrolls after the March 7 or 21 registration dates but before the deadline for the April 11 registration and is approved by the DTC in consultation with Guidance.

Empowering Our Youth

J. Michael Jacobs is a Math teacher for the SCDJJ School District and was the agency's 2019-2020 District Teacher of the Year. Mr. Jacobs has been with the agency for more than five years, after teaching in Ohio for many years prior.

"I had always wanted to teach kids who had to overcome some of the same obstacles I did as a child," says Mr. Jacobs. "The Winter of 2015 dumped 27 inches of snow in my yard and temperatures dropped to -26 degrees. That helped nudge my decision to move south."

Mr. Jacobs recently participated in a recruitment video series for DJJ, highlighting the work of different positions within the agency. Hear more of his story and how he connects with his students by clicking the video thumbnail above.

Did you know?

In February 1998, SCDJJ was registered with the U.S. Department of Labor as an Apprenticeship Program site. Through a cooperative effort between business and government, this program allows youth committed to SCDJJ to learn a trade. Participating students also earn wages to make victim restitution payments, child support payments, and to put aside money for reentry into their communities.