The South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Adult Education held its annual Fall Institute and Awards on Friday at the Metropolitan Center in Columbia. Clarendon County Adult Education (CCAE) emerged as one of the standout programs in the state, receiving multiple awards.
CCAE earned recognition in several key areas, including:
-Ranking among the top 15 programs for success with 16-21 year-olds
-Ranking in the top 5 programs for the percentage of high school diploma graduates
-Ranking in the top 5 programs for overall success rate
-Ranking in the top 5 programs serving -Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants
-Ranking among the top 30 programs in size growth since the COVID-19 pandemic
While all the accolades bring honor to the program, the award for success with 16-21 year-olds came with an additional $15,000 in program funding.
Lara Kolb, Director of Clarendon County Adult Education, expressed her pride in the program’s achievements, crediting the staff’s commitment to fostering both academic and personal growth in their students.
“We work really hard at CCAE to ensure our students are not only successful but also feel loved and cared for. I believe our students sense that support, and that’s why they stay in the program until completion,” Kolb said. She also noted that the program’s recent relocation to Turbeville has been a key factor in its success.
“We now have more students enrolled at this point in the year than in any other year during my tenure, and we’re seeing a record number of graduates,” she added.
CCAE’s accomplishments at the Fall Institute reflect its growing impact on adult learners in Clarendon County, continuing to provide vital opportunities for education and career advancement.
If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about CCAE can do for you, please contact us at 843-657-4200 or email at lara.kolb@clarendon csd.org
