Five schools named Palmetto’s Finest

The South Carolina Association of School Administrators honors schools across the state.

Five schools have been named 2026 Palmetto’s Finest Schools.

They are:

• Carver Elementary Magnet School, Florence School District 1;
• Harbor View Elementary School, Charleston County Schools;
• Waccamaw Middle School, Georgetown County Schools;
• Blue Ridge High School, Greenville County Schools; and
• HCS Scholars Academy High School, Horry County Schools.

Teachers, school supporters, and education leaders from around the state tuned into SCETV on Thursday, April 23, to learn which schools would take the top honors. The schools underwent an intensive application process requiring self-evaluation, peer review, and two on-site examinations. The application and visits verified evidence of exceptional student achievement, instructional programs, professional learning communities, and school culture.

Carver Elementary Magnet School, Florence School District 1 (Florence, SC; Josie Little, Principal) serves 625 students in kindergarten through fifth grade on the west side of Florence. As a Title I STEAM magnet school, Carver engages every grade level in Project Lead the Way units or Project-Based Learning every nine weeks. This commitment to rigorous, hands-on learning has earned the school an Excellent state report card rating in 2024, Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School of Excellence designation, and Cognia STEM accreditation. Student enrichment extends beyond the classroom through All-State Chorus, Honor Chorus, Student Ambassadors, Safety Patrol, a Morning Show broadcast team, and the REACH gifted program. Strong partnerships with civic organizations, local businesses, and universities further enrich learning and provide meaningful support for students and families.

Harbor View Elementary School, Charleston County Schools (Charleston, SC; Stacey Dickinson, Principal) serves approximately 600 students in grades PreK through fifth grade. Deeply rooted in its coastal neighborhood, Harbor View brings together families, educators, and community partners to support the growth of the whole child. Data-informed instruction, targeted interventions, and enrichment opportunities meet students’ diverse learning needs while maintaining high expectations. English Language Arts proficiency has grown from 63.4% to 82.0% of students meeting or exceeding expectations. This sustained success has earned Harbor View an “Excellent” rating on the South Carolina School Report Card for five consecutive years. Students also engage in Battle of the Books, STEAM learning, strings, James Island Sings, and schoolwide literacy and math nights that strengthen family engagement and build a joyful school community.

Waccamaw Middle School, Georgetown County Schools (Pawleys Island, SC; Ginny Haynes, Principal) serves 338 students in grades 7 and 8, nestled near historic Brookgreen Gardens. Built on a culture of belonging and Warrior PRIDE, the school emphasizes educating the whole child during the critical middle school years. Teachers collaborate through data-informed instruction, PLCs, and targeted interventions, producing measurable results including a 100% pass rate on Algebra I End-of-Course exams and an “Excellent” South Carolina School Report Card rating in 2024. Beyond academics, students participate in band, chorus, theater, athletics, Beta Club, Student Council, and service-learning projects that connect them to local and global causes. Through intentional culture-building and meaningful opportunities, Waccamaw continues to be a place where students feel valued and proud to be Warriors.

Blue Ridge High School, Greenville County Schools (Greer, SC; Ashley Wardlaw, Principal) serves approximately 1,000 students across one of the county’s largest attendance zones, spanning nearly 156 square miles. The school offers a broad curriculum encompassing college preparatory coursework, career and technical pathways, fine arts, and athletics. During the 2024–2025 school year, Blue Ridge achieved historic milestones: it was named the district’s Top Performing School and highest growth high school, graduation rates increased by 7%, and Advanced Placement passing rates climbed from 35% in 2021 to nearly 62% in 2025. More than 95% of students with disabilities passed the English 2 EOC in 2025. Student life thrives through organizations including National Honor Society, FFA, JROTC, and fine arts programs, alongside RidgeNation traditions that unite the community.

HCS Scholars Academy, Horry County Schools (Conway, SC; Norman McQueen, Principal); was founded in 2003 to provide highly gifted and talented students with rigorous academic opportunities beyond a traditional high school. Located on a university campus, this public high school has grown from 25 students to 219, all identified as academically gifted. Small class sizes, personalized instruction, and intentional support foster a culture where every student is known, challenged, and prepared for higher education. Academic outcomes reflect this commitment: a 100% graduation rate, 100% College and Career Ready designation, and AP, End-of-Course, and SAT results that consistently exceed state, national, and global averages. Students typically complete between 7 and 8 AP courses, graduating with up to two years of college credit, and develop as leaders through service, research, and community partnerships.

“The Palmetto’s Finest award winners exemplify innovation across South Carolina,” said Dr. Quincie Moore, South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) executive director. “They set the standard of excellence by cultivating vibrant school environments with high expectations and providing numerous opportunities for academic enrichment.”

Presenting the awards to the winners were Dr. Jesse Washington (Chairman, Palmetto’s Finest Committee), Dr. Quincie Moore (Executive Director, SC Association of School Administrators) and Kathy Hipp (President, SC Association of School Administrators). Judi Gatson (Anchor, WIS-TV) acted as host and Mistress of Ceremonies for the awards presentation.

SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 5,500. From professional development opportunities and research to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.