York Comprehensive High School in York has earned statewide recognition for its work keeping students on track to graduation, receiving the 2026 Dropout Prevention Champion award from the South Carolina Dropout Prevention Symposium.
The symposium, organized in partnership with the SC Department of Education, the National Dropout Prevention Center, and the Transition Alliance of South Carolina, recognizes schools demonstrating outstanding commitment to student retention and graduation. The annual event brings together education professionals for a day focused on professional development, networking, and strategic planning around dropout prevention. SC TEAMS
The recognition highlights a school-wide effort at YCHS, where staff, families, and community partners work together daily to support students through graduation. The school serves approximately 1,500 students in grades 9 through 12 in York County School District 1.
In announcing the award, school officials credited the collaborative approach that defines the YCHS culture, pointing to contributions from teachers, counselors, administrators, support staff, and community partners. The school’s motto, “Connected as ONE,” reflects the philosophy behind its student support model.
Dropout prevention is widely recognized not as a one-time initiative but as a systems-level commitment to supporting students early, responding to challenges effectively, and building pathways that lead to graduation and long-term success. YCHS’s recognition signals that the school has made meaningful progress in building those systems. Dropoutprevention
Graduation is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Winthrop Coliseum in Rock Hill.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
