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 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year

Dr. Cecilia Brown

"I'm Dr. Cecilia Brown, and I am honored to be selected by my peers as the 2022-2023 SCDJJ Teacher of the Year. I currently work at the Enrichment and Empowerment Academy of South Carolina as a certified math teacher, GED instructor and GED Site Coordinator. I earned my Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. I also have a Post-Master’s Degree Certificate in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University, a Master of Education Degree in Divergent Learners from Columbia College, a Post- Bachelor Certificate in Secondary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I have served in the capacity of an administrator, teacher, new teacher trainer, instructional facilitator, math coach and mentor over the past 27 years. I have chosen to work at the SCDJJ for the past 7 years, to ensure that our youth know that they deserve quality instruction from quality teachers because they are valued and worth it. Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, reading, traveling and serving as a volunteer instructor for the University of the People."

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.