Marrington Middle School of the Arts Earns National Blue Ribbon School Distinction

COLUMBIA, SC September 7, 2012 – Five South Carolina schools won2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards, U.S. Secretary of EducationArne Duncan announced today.  The U.S. Department of Education (USED)says that schools chosen as National Blue Ribbon recipients are modelsof excellence that other schools can emulate. Winners are eitheracademically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in studentachievement. 

The 2012 recipients include:

• Hammond Hill Elementary School, Aiken County School District
• Marrington Middle School of the Arts, Berkeley County School District
• Forestbrook Elementary School, Horry County School District
• Oak Grove Elementary School, Lexington School District One
• South Kilbourne Elementary School, Richland School District One

“The South Carolina Department of Education commends these schoolsfor earning this prestigious distinction,” said Dr. Mick Zais, SouthCarolina State Superintendent of Education.  “The students, parents,teachers, and administrators at these schools deserve all the credit fortheir success.”

Official award ceremonies will take place in Washington D.C. on Nov.12-13, 2012, where the approximately 300 national winners will receiveBlue Ribbon School flags and engraved plaques as symbols of theirsuccess. The National Blue Ribbon program was modified in 2001.  In thenew system, the USED determines how many nominees each state cansubmit.  The winning schools have to meet one of the criteria listedbelow:

• Schools that have at least 40 percent of their students fromdisadvantaged backgrounds and that show dramatic improvement in testscores to high levels in English language arts and mathematics.

• Schools, regardless of their demographics, that achieve in the top 10 percent of schools in the state.

All five of South Carolina’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Awardwinners met the first criterion, with more than 50 percent of theirstudents from disadvantaged backgrounds.  All five schools received aletter grade of “A” on their 2012 federal accountability report cards.

Marrington Middle School of the Arts (Berkeley County School District)
Berkeley County School District Contact: Susan Haire, 843-899-8611

Marrington Middle School of the Arts serves 400 students in grades 6-8.  In addition to having a neighborhood attendance zone, the school offersadditional seats to other Berkeley County School District studentsinterested in the arts‐infused curriculum.  A key to the school’ssuccess is the shared philosophical conviction that all students canlearn.  At the school, on-site staff development has focused onauthentic literacy, effective classroom strategies, and the inclusion ofinformal assessment techniques to inform the instructional process. 

The school’s culture reflects data-driven decision-making and highexpectations held by all staff members.  Teachers are integral inretrieving and analyzing their students’ data.  Through the use of data,teachers are able to identify when students begin to struggle and canquickly intervene by enriching the curriculum, equipping students withconsistent practice and assistance until they can demonstrate mastery ofthe standards.

In 2006, the school began to infuse the arts into the academiccurriculum, and this ongoing focus on the arts has greatly contributedto the school’s achievements. A highly-talented group of teachingprofessionals has joined forces to produce diverse lesson plans thatcombine students’ artistic passions with the academic standards.  Byemphasizing dynamic creative instruction and building on activepartnerships within its community, Marrington Middle School of the Artsprovides countless opportunities for each student to build a legacy ofsuccess.
 
Hammond Hill Elementary School (Aiken County School District)
Aiken County School District Contact: Tammie Newman, 803-641-2639

Situated in the city of North Augusta, Hammond Hill Elementary servesapproximately 830 students in grades PK-5.  Hammond Hill Elementary hassuccessfully carried out its mission to prepare students to functionsuccessfully both personally and academically in a nurturingenvironment. Student achievement is consistently high in all subjectareas. For the past three years, the school has been awarded thePalmetto Gold Award for high academic performance and the Gold Award forClosing the Achievement Gap.  

Academic decisions are based on a thorough analysis of data from avariety of sources. Shared decision-making through collaboration is thenorm, not the exception.  Innovative programs such as the Math Lab andComputer Writing Lab captivate student interest in learning and motivatestudents to succeed. Students have abundant opportunities forcreativity, leadership, and involvement, resulting in a sense of prideand ownership.

Forestbrook Elementary School (Horry County School District)
Horry County School District Contact: Teal Britton, 843-488-6777

Forestbrook Elementary educates a diverse student body of 900 studentsin grades K-5.  The school’s success can be attributed to the steadfastleadership and devoted faculty and staff who passionately believe thatevery child can learn at high levels and the importance of effectiveprofessional development which fosters and builds the school’s capacityfor excellence in teaching and learning. Forestbrook Elementary iscommitted to creating and supporting a safe, caring learning environmentand a positive school culture in which all children and adults feelwelcomed and nurtured.   Forestbrook has been recognized with thePalmetto Gold Award for General Performance as well as for ClosingAchievement Gaps for historically underachieving groups for the past tenyears.

Oak Grove Elementary School (Lexington One School District)
Lexington One School District Contact: Mary Beth Cahill, 803-821-1152

Oak Grove Elementary School serves a diverse student with approximately700 students in grades PK-5.  It is a true community school with highlevels of parental involvement that span several generations of studentsand parents. Starting with a one room cabin built in the early 1900s,Oak Grove Elementary has a rich heritage and a culture for continuousimprovement and education excellence.  The school has received anexcellent absolute rating and an excellent growth rating for the lastthree years on its state report card.  Oak Grove Elementary wasrecognized with the Palmetto Gold Award for a high level of studentperformance and for making substantial progress in closing achievementgaps for the past three consecutive years.  The school has a healthy andpositive culture which is achieved partially through the infusion ofthe Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey in theirdaily practice.  Collaborative planning sessions and using data fromon-going formative assessments help determine instructional strengthsand weaknesses to ensure effective instruction is delivered in allclassrooms.

South Kilbourne Elementary (Richland School District One)
Richland School District One Contact: Karen York, 803-231-7504

South Kilbourne Elementary serves 249 students in grades PK-5.  With 98percent of students eligible for the free and reduced school lunchprogram, South Kilbourne Elementary is a school of educationalexcellence and high achievement.  South Kilbourne has been recognizedwith Palmetto Gold Awards, the South Carolina Exemplary Writing Award,and the Governor’s School of Writing Award. 

The success of the school has to do with a strong and committedleadership and the dedication of the faculty and staff.  Over the year,the school has been in rel
entless pursuit of continuous improvement incurriculum and instruction so that effective teaching and learning takeplace in every classroom every day.  They implemented many literacy andarts-based programs and initiatives such as Books and Breakfast, bookfairs, class performances, fitness assessments, art club, and othermusic-related events. Everyone at South Kilbourne recognizes theimportance of building relationships as well as the active engagement ofparents and the community.  South Kilbourne Elementary maintains astrong school/community relationship and a collaborative and positiveschool culture.