Three Horry County schools nab National Blue Ribbon award

For the first time ever, Horry County Schools has three National Blue Ribbon Schools winners in one year.

Lakewood Elementary, Myrtle Beach Intermediate and Forestbrook Middle schools were awarded the prestigious state title Tuesday. The schools were nominated for the blue ribbon last school year and selected as Exemplary High Performing Schools in the 2014-15 school year, according to Dino Teppara, public information officer with the S.C. Department of Education.

“Three awards in one year is simply amazing,” said Teal Harding, district spokeswoman. “This national award is a rewarding tribute to the hard work of our students and teachers.”

Exemplary High Performing Schools are among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests, Teppara said. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels.

“I am thrilled for these schools, districts, and communities,” said S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. “This is an historic achievement, one that signifies a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment to excellence by students, their families, teachers, and school leaders.”

The blue ribbon program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools in which students achieve very high learning standards or make notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

“The award plaque affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content,” Teppara said.

T.E. Mabry Middle School of Spartanburg School District One and Woodruff Elementary School of Spartanburg School District Four also won the award.

The schools are invited to a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November. All 285 public and 50 private schools awarded the honor across the U.S. are invited to the ceremony, Teppara said.

Other Horry County schools previously named National Blue Ribbon Schools are: Socastee Elementary School, 2014; Forestbrook Elementary School, 2012, 2003, and 2001; Midland Elementary School, 2009; Carolina Forest Elementary School, 2004; the Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology, 2002; St. James Middle School, 1996; Conway Middle School, 1993; Socastee High School, 1991; and Conway High School, 1985.

“Their communities should be proud of this national honor and the example they are setting for the state and nation,” Spearman said.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 2:14 PM with the headline "Three Horry County schools nab National Blue Ribbon award."