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September 15, 2009

Carolina Elementary School Wins National Blue Ribbon Award

Carolina Elementary School in Hartsville is one of five South Carolina public schools to receive the national 2009 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon award, according to United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, run by the federal Department of Education, honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.

The other four Palmetto State’s public school winners are Chukker Creek Elementary in the Aiken County School District, Midland Elementary in Galivants Ferry (Horry County School District), Ninety Six High School in Greenwood District 52 and Chapin High in School District Five of Lexington and Richland counties.

“Congratulations to these five wonderful schools,” said State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex.  “This award signifies their success in making it possible for each and every student to succeed, and it shows they have outstanding administrators, creative teachers and dedicated staff members.”

“We are very proud of the staff and students of Carolina Elementary School,” said Dr. Rainey H. Knight, Darlington County School District Superintendent of Education. “This award is validation of the effort, dedication, and devotion of the exceptional educators at Carolina. Our children and our community are the real winners here.”

“We are thrilled and humbled to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award,” said Donna Barrett, principal of Carolina Elementary School. “Carolina’s success is a combination of strong leadership, dedicated faculty and staff, and active parental and community involvement.  We set high expectations for our entire learning community and we strive to meet those expectations.  Each year, we raise the bar higher – steady and strong, continuous improvement. We look for ways to continue academic growth and to implement effective instructional strategies. The bottom line is student achievement - Students making progress each year.  What a honor to be a National Blue Ribbon School!”

The U.S. Department of Education says that schools chosen as National Blue Ribbon recipients are models of excellence that other schools can emulate.  Carolina is the second school in Darlington County School District to win the prestigious award. Pate Elementary School in Darlington won the award in 2004.

In past years, any school could apply to compete in the Blue Ribbon program.  It was modified in 2001 to make selection criteria consistent with the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.  In the new system, the USDE determines how many nominees each state can submit.  The federal agency allows South Carolina to nominate five schools, and those nominees must meet one of two criteria:
•    Schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds and that show dramatic improvement in test scores to high levels in English Language Arts and mathematics.
•    Schools, regardless of their demographics, that achieve in the top 10 percent of schools in the state.

Chukker Creek, Carolina Elementary and Ninety Six High School achieved in the top 10 percent, with at least 40 percent disadvantaged students.  Midland Elementary was in the top 10 percent – with at least 40 percent disadvantaged students – and also had dramatic improvement.  Chapin High made the top 10 percent and has less than 40 percent disadvantaged students.

All five nominated South Carolina schools not only met the basic criteria, but also scored higher against those criteria than other South Carolina schools.  All nominees had to have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under NCLB for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years, and also had to make AYP for the 2008-09 school year to be eligible for recognition.  

Two people from each school – the principal and a teacher – are invited to the awards ceremonies, where the schools receive a plaque and a flag signifying their NCLB-Blue Ribbon School status.

More about Carolina Elementary:

CAROLINA ELEMENTARY serves 253 students in grades one to five and is located in Hartsville in Darlington County. Established 60 years ago, the school has a strong heritage and reputation for dedicated teachers and effective instruction.  It’s received various types of recognition for academic accomplishments, implementation of best practices, community involvement and positive school climate.  Carolina’s success is a result of the combination of strong leadership, dedicated faculty and staff, and active parental and community involvement. 

Carolina’s programs and initiatives are based on specific student needs after careful analysis of achievement data.  The school provides and maintains an after-school academic Quiz Bowl program to encourage an enthusiastic learning environment.  Effective school communication is enhanced by continuing improvements in technology.   A Positive Behavior Intervention Support Program and an annual school-wide Dragon Fest Celebration help to create a positive learning environment and motivate Carolina students to strive for success.