Info Alert

We are excited to introduce our new website! We hope you find it easier to navigate, engaging and useful. As with any conversion of a site this large, errors may occur. If you see something that needs updating, please email PublicInformation@djj.sc.gov.

NOTE: If you had a page on our old site bookmarked, please be sure to update accordingly, as most pages have changed.  

Menu
Open Search

Education does not stop when a youth is under the supervision of SCDJJ. The SCDJJ operates its own school district with fully accredited academic and career and technical education programs, serving approximately 500 students in grades 4-12. All youth in SCDJJ’s care attend school while detained or incarcerated.

Teachers in class room

The SCDJJ school district functions similarly to others in South Carolina, with some exceptions:

  • School is in session year-round to enable students to make up absences and close learning gaps
  • The district has no local tax base, relying exclusively on state and federal funding.
  • Classes are geared to meet the individual needs of each student.

The SCDJJ 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 SCDJJ can earn either a high school diploma or a General Education Degree (GED). 

SCDJJ’s school district offers students a variety of Career and Technical Education (CTE ) courses, extensive special education services, the nation’s first Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program in a juvenile correctional facility setting, media centers, career development centers and school counselors. SCDJJ graduates receive a quality education and are equipped to pursue their post-secondary education and career goals.

School Report Card

2025-26 State Assessment Schedule 

2025-26 State Assessment Schedule

School Records Requests

Current Student Records Request Form (PDF) 

Former Student Records Request Form (PDF)

  • If you are a student or parent, please submit the form with a copy of your State Issued ID or Driver's License.
  • If you are a public school employee, please submit the form using your district-issued email address.
  • Requests for current students or former students less than 19 years old should be emailed to transcripts@djj.sc.gov. Please allow at least 48 hours for processing of your request.
  • Transcript requests for former students older than 19 should be submitted to our archives department at records@djj.sc.gov.
Birchwood District Report Card
Find performance information for the SCDJJ Birchwood School District

Gavin's Law

Gavin’s Law (H.3583) is a law that establishes sexual extortion as a felony offense, and an aggravated felony if the victim is a minor, vulnerable adult, or if the victim suffers bodily injury or death directly related to the crime. Sexual extortion is the act of blackmailing someone using sexually explicit images or videos in order to compel the victim to do any act or refrain from doing any act, against their will. This law was named after 17-year-old Gavin Guffey, who was a victim of sexual extortion, which resulted in him tragically taking his own life in 2022.
The bill reads in part, "Local school districts shall collaborate with the State Department of Education, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Attorney General’s office, as appropriate, to implement a policy to educate and notify students of the provisions of this act which includes adequate notice to students, parents or guardians, the public, and school personnel of the change in law.  The State Department of Education must file a report as to the status of the adoption and implementation of the education policies under this act to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, annually by July first of each year."

An information sheet about Gavin's Law can be found here.