4 S.C. schools earn National Blue Ribbon honors

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Four South Carolina elementary schools have been designated as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Lake Murray Elementary School in Lexington, Carlisle-Foster’s Grove Elementary School in Chesnee, Ocean Bay Elementary School in Myrtle Beach and Spearman Elementary School in Piedmont received the national recognition, according to a news release from the S.C. Department of Education.

All four honorees were recognized in the exemplary high performing schools category, which recognizes the state’s highest performing schools as measured by national tests and state assessments.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools for high student achievement of learning standards or for making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. During the 37 years of the program, more than 9,000 schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman will accept the honor on behalf of the schools at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November. She said the recipients are models of excellence for the state and the nation.

“I am so proud of the four South Carolina Schools that are being honored nationally for their students’ success,” she said in the release.