District Five schools receive Palmetto Gold, Silver Awards

Fourteen schools in Lexington-Richland School District Five have been named winners of Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards, according to a new report by the state Department of Education.

The awards were established by the Education Accountability Act of 1998 to recognize and reward schools for demonstrating high academic achievement and closing the achievement gap between various groups of students. All fourteen District Five schools received Palmetto Gold Awards in academic performance, while two also received Silver for closing the achievement gap.

“The Palmetto Gold and Silver awards for our schools are a testament to the laser focus we have on instruction and to the hard work of our students, teachers, staff and families,” said Dr. Stephen Hefner, superintendent of District Five. “We are committed to continuing our pursuit of excellence and high achievement for all our students.”

Released Feb. 17, the new Palmetto Gold and Silver awards were based on 2014 data. Schools that received the Gold Award for academic performance include: Ballentine Elementary, Chapin Elementary, Chapin High, Chapin Middle, CrossRoads Intermediate, Dutch Fork High, Dutch Fork Middle, Harbison West Elementary, Irmo Elementary, Irmo Middle, Lake Murray Elementary, Leaphart Elementary, Oak Pointe Elementary, and River Springs Elementary. Palmetto Silver Awards for closing the achievement gap were awarded to Leaphart Elementary and Chapin Middle.

District Five Chief Instructional Officer Dr. Christina Melton said, “The awards and recognition our schools receive annually are the result of collaborative efforts; inclusive of faculty, staff, students, parents and our community at large. We congratulate each of our schools and their school community for being recognized as Palmetto Award winners. District Five is truly fortunate to have teachers and staff committed to achieving high levels of academic success and also to have students and families willing to partner with us.”