Taylors Area Schools Reel In Awards

Several schools in the Taylors-Wade Hampton area received Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards for academic performance and closing achievement gaps. Countywide, 11 high schools, 14 middle schools and 46 elementary schools earned recognition.

The Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards program recognizes schools that attain high levels of absolute performance and growth, and schools that close the gaps in achievement for historically lower- and higher-achieving demographic groups of students.     

The 2011-12 school year marked the first time that three years of data for growth index was calculated using PASS test scores.  Schools qualify for a Silver Award if the school’s absolute performance rating is above “School at Risk” for the most recent year, and its growth index is 92.20 or greater for three consecutive years.

The Education Oversight Committee establishes the criteria for the awards, and the State Department of Education then applies those criteria to determine which schools are honored. The criteria for General Performance awards are based on the absolute and growth ratings and the growth index found on school report cards.

Wade Hampton High School was recognized with a Gold Award under General Performance and a Silver Award for improvement, and Eastside High School also received a Gold Aware for General Performance.

"The Wade Hampton High School community is extremely excited and pleased that the efforts of our students, faculty and staff have earned us the recognition as Palmetto Gold and Silver Award Winners for the fourth consecutive year.  With the support of our community stakeholders, especially our parents, WHHS teachers and students work extremely hard to make positive gains each and every year," said Lance Radford, principal at Wade Hampton High. "Winning these awards for General Performance and Closing the Achievement Gap will continue to help motivate us as we move forward with our goals and guide each student to graduation and beyond."

Northwood Middle School was named a Silver Award recipient for General Performance, as was Sevier Middle School.

At the elementary school level, many Taylors area schools performed well, as Taylors Elementary, Paris Elementary, Brook Glenn Elementary and Tigerville Elementary all received Silver Awards for General Performance. Brushy Creek Elementary School received a Gold Aware for General Performance and a Silver for improvement.

"We are excited to have earned the Palmetto Silver Award for overall general performance," said Delaney Sutton, principal at Taylors Elementary. "Taylors Elementary has earned this award for three years.  We are very proud of our students and staff for continuously showing growth."