This past week, the South Carolina Department of Education released the winners of the Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards for 2014-2015. Teh Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards program recognizes schools for attaining high levels of general performance and for making substantial progress in closing the achievement gap between disaggregated groups. Overall, 15 Richland Two Schools/Centers earned a total of twenty Palmetto Gold or Silver Awards.
Five Richland Two schools received Palmetto Gold or Silver awards for both General Performance and Closing the Achievement Gap. Lake Carolina Elementary and Ridge View High received Palmetto Gold Awards and Pontiac Elementary received Palmetto Silver Awards in both categories. Ridge View High School was the only high school from the eight counties in the Midlands area to receive Gold Awards for both General Performance and Closing the Achievement Gap. Catawba Trail Elementary and Polo Road Elementary received Palmetto Gold Awards for General Performance and Palmetto Silver Awards for Closing the Achievement Gap.
Ten Richland Two schools and centers received Palmetto Gold Awards for General Performance: Bethel-Hanberry Elementary, Blythewood High, Blythewood Middle, Bookman Road Elementary, Center for Knowledge, Center for Inquiry, North Springs Elementary, Round Top Elementary, and Spring Valley High. Windsor Elementary earned a Palmetto Silver Award for General Performance.
"In Richland Two, we prepare all students for success through our emphasis on our Four Squares - Learning, Character, Community and Joy. These awards reflect that focus and the hard work of our teachers, students, parents and administrators. We are always excited to see gains in student achievement but we know we still have work to do. Through a comprehensive review of data, we are identifying action steps for improving achievement for all students as they develop essential life and career knowledge and skills," said Superintendent Debbie Hamm.
