W.I.N. Update -  Sept. 7, 2025

Dear ILHS Students and Parents,

We’re jumpstarting September with some exciting news! 🎉

The LCSD has released our academic data from the 2024-25 school year, and Indian Land High School has a lot to celebrate:

✅ Excellent results on all End-of-Course exams

✅ A graduation rate that led the way across the district

The official scores will be shared in the 2024-25 School Report Card this October, but these early results are a true reflection of the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families. Together, we are proving what it means to travel the ILHS Highway to Success 521.

But our journey doesn’t stop here.

💡 The Warrior Mindset in Action

Believing in the Warrior mindset is just the beginning—living it is what makes the difference. Each day, students have the opportunity to grow 1% better in academics, behavior, and collaboration.

Here’s how:

  • Plan your work—work your plan.

  • Break big goals into small, achievable steps.

  • If you miss the bull’s eye, adjust your aim and try again.

Every day is a chance to move closer to success. Let’s keep building on this momentum and show what it truly means to be a Warrior! 💙💛

Our Fall athletic teams are rocking it right now! 🎉

🏈 Football – Big win Friday night to move to 3-0! (Varsity has a bye this coming Friday.)
🏐
Boys Volleyball – Took down Blythewood in 3 sets on Monday and swept Rock Hill in 3 sets on Thursday!
🎾
Lady Warriors Tennis – A perfect win over York Comprehensive last Tuesday!
Girls Golf – Off to a strong start with three match wins so far this season!

Let’s keep cheering on our Warriors as they continue to shine on and off the field! 💙💛

In Gratitude and Service,

Rick Parker

Principal

A few important School Rules reminders:

  • Tardies: Being on time matters! Daily tardies can add up quickly, so please make it a priority to arrive on time.

Tardies

  • Dresscode: Students are not allowed to wear mid-drift showing or their pants down below their waist. 

Dresscode

  • Cell Phones and Earbuds: These electronic devices are not allowed during the school day

Phones

We know these reminders may sound firm, but they are in place to help our students succeed and to build a strong Warrior Mindset—one that values responsibility, respect, and resilience.

Here is What’s Important Now (W.I.N.) for next week:

Parents, invitations to the ILHS Beta Club and National Honor Society have been delivered to sophomores and juniors who meet GPA requirements. For juniors, the Beta Club requirement is a 4.1, and the NHS requirement is a 4.4 on a weighted scale. For sophomores, the Beta Club requirement is a 3.8, and the NHS requirement is a 4.0 on an unweighted scale.

If your student is interested in joining one or both clubs, induction fees can be paid from September 5th to September 26th via the GoFan links provided in their invitation letters. Cash or check will only be accepted the week of September 8th - 12th in the ILHS front office to our bookkeeper, Mrs. Chester. Checks should be made out to Indian Land High School and include the writer’s drivers license number. You may combine induction costs into one payment if your child has been invited to and wishes to join both Beta Club and NHS.

🚗 Student Drivers

  • Thank you for parking in your assigned spaces during the first week!

  • Parking violations are being enforced. Please make sure you are parking in your correct spot each day.

🚙 Parent Drop-Off & Pick-Up

  • Thank you for helping keep traffic moving by using two lanes in the morning and afternoon.

  • You’ll notice a yellow curb in front of the school – this is the official drop-off/pick-up zone.

    • Once you are in the yellow zone, please unload/load immediately instead of waiting to reach the very front.

  • For safety reasons:

    • 🚫 Do not pick up or drop off students in the student parking lots or on the bus access road.

    • ✅ Please remind your student to walk to the front of the school at dismissal so the line can move smoothly. FLEX early release students are only allowed to be picked in the Bus Loop.

Thank you for your cooperation and teamwork as we work together to make drop-off, pick-up, and parking safe and efficient for everyone!

📣 FLEX Schedule & Dismissal Update

Parents, please take a moment to review these important reminders so we can keep afternoons safe, smooth, and successful for all students.

📝 Student Responsibilities

  • Students must sign up for a FLEX activity every day of the week.

  • 9th graders: You may not select the study hall in the main gym (this is for upperclassmen).

✅ Early Dismissal

  • If a student has a free 4th block or early dismissal, they must sign up for the “Leaving Early” activity in FLEX.

🚗 FLEX Pick-Up

  • Early Dismissal Pick up is only in the bus lot area loop, not in the front of the school. Please do not pick up your child in front of the school for early dismissal.

  • If you arrive after 3:55 pm, please use the regular afternoon car line. The FLEX line closes at that time.

👩‍🎓 Freshman Families

  • If you are not able to pick up your student for early dismissal, 9th graders must attend FLEX.

  • Freshmen are not allowed to:

    • Go to study hall in the gym (reserved for upperclassmen).

    • Sit and wait for pick-up until the end of the school day.

🕒 FLEX Attendance

  • If a student is assigned to FLEX but does not attend, it is considered cutting class.

Thank you for your support in helping us keep routines clear and consistent for students!

📄 Parent Permission

  • If you do not want your student to leave campus, please complete the “Opt Out” form (even if you filled out the first version—it contained an error).

    👉 Opt Out Form

Thank you for working with us to make FLEX a successful part of the school day!

Upcoming Visits & Events

Get ready for some special visitors and important nights!

  • September 17: Financial Aid Night at 6:00 p.m. (open to all, especially seniors)

  • September 18: USC Columbia private visit at 2:30 p.m. in the Fishbowl. Make sure to sign up in the counseling lobby ahead of time!

  • Please take a moment to log in to PowerSchool and update your family's contact information. Having your most current phone numbers and email addresses on file is the best way for us to communicate with you, especially in case of an emergency.

  • If you do not have a Powerschool account here is “How to create Parent Portal Accounts”.

Step by Step Guide to Assist Parents with Username/Password Issues

Step by Step Guide to Create a PowerSchool Parent Portal Account

For Seniors (Class of 2026):

Please check out the information about Senior Portraits Senior Portraits-FAQs

Senior Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs)

It's time for seniors to start planning for the future! An IGP is like a roadmap for your final year and beyond.

  • When: Senior IGP meetings are from August 25 to September 12, 2025.

  • Before the meeting: All seniors must complete the "Senior Exit IGP Slides deck" in their Senior Google Classroom (code: 6xe3d2t).

  • Who needs to attend? Every senior and their parent or guardian should be there in person or by Google Meet.

  • Look for the email from your ILHS counselor for the sign up link (Dr. Coogler's caseload will see the email from Ms. Sha'Tonna Walker)

 Just a heads-up! Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) meetings are held throughout the year, by grade level. We will send an email with all the details for your student's grade when their meeting time gets closer.  

Dual Enrollment Information Sessions

Important! This year’s format is different.

Both NEW and RETURNING students MUST attend their college’s session at the college.

Mandatory for Juniors & Seniors planning to take Spring or Summer DE courses.

Sophomores & Freshmen are encouraged to attend to learn more for the future!


Winthrop University

Application Dates:

  • Spring & Summer 2025: Opens Sept 15 | Closes Nov 1

  • Fall 2026: Opens Jan 4 | Closes May 1

    • Apply by Apr 1 for priority course registration

Info Sessions (Winthrop Campus):

University of South Carolina Lancaster (USCL)

Bundy Auditorium

Sept 11, 2025 | 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Actual Session 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Mandatory for all students and parents (new and returning)  interested in registering for Spring 2026 and/or Summer 2026.


Notes about Books at USCL

  • Free books: Fall & Spring ONLY for Lancaster County residents

  • Summer books (May–July): Not free

  • 4H coded courses: Students always pay for books

  • Students must check USCL email for book pickup instructions

  • Waiver codes for digital books are on postcards from the bookstore or in your professor’s syllabus


Don’t miss these sessions—attendance ensures you have the information you need for success!

Juniors Updates 

Rising Seniors (Current Juniors) – Keep an eye on your email from your counselor this week!

Make sure you’ve joined the Junior Counseling Google Classroom (code = ciivae6).

Rising Senior IGPs begin 9/15 – You’ll sign up through the link in the email from your counselor.

PSAT/NMSQT at ILHS

Indian Land High School has a limited number of spots for 11th grade students to take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Please review the details below to see if this opportunity is right for your student.

What is the PSAT/NMSQT?

  • The PSAT is a practice version of the SAT that many students took as sophomores.

  • For juniors, this test also serves as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSQT).

Why take it?

  • The PSAT/NMSQT is optional for juniors.

  • Students who wish to be considered for National Merit recognition or scholarships must take it in 11th grade.

How competitive is National Merit?

  • Over 1.3 million juniors take the test each year.

  • Fewer than 4% earn recognition, and less than 1% earn scholarships.

  • Students typically need to score in the 96th percentile or higher to qualify.

Do I need this test to prepare for the SAT?

  • No. All students can use Khan Academy for free, personalized SAT prep—whether or not they take the PSAT/NMSQT.

Test Day Details

  • Format: Digital – students must bring a fully charged Chromebook.

  • Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025

  • Cost: $18 (+ online processing fee)

How to Register

  1. Complete the Google Form using your student’s Chromebook:

    👉 PSAT Registration Form

  2. Pay through GoFan to reserve your spot:

    👉 GoFan Payment Link

  3. Deadline to register and pay: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Questions?

Contact Ms. Stephanie Austin, Testing Coordinator at:

📧 stephanie.austin@lcsd.k12.sc.us