Eighteen Lexington One schools receive Palmetto Gold Awards
February 24, 2016
Eighteen of Lexington County School District One’s 30 schools received Palmetto Gold Awards Tuesday, February 23, 2016, recognizing each school’s entire student body’s academic performance. The South Carolina Department of Education’s Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards program recognizes schools for overall academic achievement and for closing the achievement gap among historically lower performing groups of students.
The Lexington One schools receiving Gold Awards for general performance are Carolina Springs Elementary, Gilbert High, Gilbert Primary, Lake Murray Elementary, Lexington Elementary, Lexington High, Lexington Middle, Lexington Technology Center, Midway Elementary, New Providence Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Pleasant Hill Elementary, Pleasant Hill Middle, Rocky Creek Elementary, Meadow Glen Elementary, Meadow Glen Middle, Saxe Gotha Elementary and White Knoll High.
White Knoll Middle received a Silver Award for general performance.
In addition to their Palmetto Gold Awards for general performance, two schools, Lake Murray Elementary and New Providence Elementary, received Palmetto Gold Awards for closing the achievement gap.
Eight other schools, Lexington Elementary, Lexington Middle, Oak Grove Elementary, Pleasant Hill Middle, Rocky Creek Elementary, Meadow Glen Elementary, Saxe Gotha Elementary and White Knoll Middle, received Palmetto Silver Awards for closing the achievement gap.
“Teachers and administrators work hard every day to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education with challenging instruction,” reflected Dr. Karen Woodward, Lexington District One superintendent. “These awards validate their hard work.”
The Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards program began with the Education Accountability Act of 1998 and recognizes schools based on criteria approved by the Education Oversight Committee. Schools can receive a Palmetto Gold or Silver Award for general performance by students in the school. The EOC revised the criteria for the Palmetto Silver Award in October of 2012. Only schools that have a Growth Rating of Good or better for two consecutive years receive a Palmetto Silver Award. Schools that have a growth index of Average or better for three years would not be eligible for a Palmetto Silver Award.
Since these awards are based on 2013–2014 data, River Bluff High was not eligible for the awards. It only opened in 2013 and did not yet have two consecutive years of data.
“I am pleased that so many schools are being recognized for their excellent performance and closing the achievement gap,” said State Superintendent Molly Spearman. “These awards are well-deserved and indicate the great strides administrators, principals, teachers and students are making across the state. We will continue to embrace the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate to achieve educational excellence in every district.”
