Columbia, SC – Today, State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman announced five South Carolina schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

“I am thrilled for these schools, districts, and communities,” said Spearman.  “This is an historic achievement, one that signifies a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment to excellence by students, their families, teachers, and school leaders.  Their communities should be proud of this national honor and the example they are setting for the state and nation,” concluded Spearman.

The U.S. Department of Education will honor 285 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 9–10 in Washington, D.C.  In its 33–year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given this coveted award to more than 8,000 American schools.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools in which students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.  The award plaque affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.  The award flag gracing a school’s building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.  

All National Blue Ribbon schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates: 

•    Exemplary High Performing Schools are among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.  Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels. 
•    Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among the state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years.  Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels.

The following five South Carolina schools were selected as Exemplary High Performing Schools in the 2014–15 school year:

Forestbrook Middle School 
Principal: Ms. April Scott
Myrtle Beach, Horry County Schools
Percentage of Students Identified as Disadvantaged: 74 percent

T.E. Mabry Middle School
Principal: Ms. Marsha Clark
Inman, Spartanburg School District One
Percentage of Students Identified as Disadvantaged: 70 percent

Lakewood Elementary School
Principal: Mr. James LaPier
Myrtle Beach, Horry County Schools
Percentage of Students Identified as Disadvantaged: 72 percent

Woodruff Elementary School
Principal: Ms. Argyl Brewton
Woodruff, Spartanburg School District Four
Percentage of Students Identified as Disadvantaged: 76 percent

Myrtle Beach Intermediate School
Principal: Ms. Deb Colliver
Myrtle Beach, Horry County Schools
Percentage of Students Identified as Disadvantaged: 83 percent

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