Four South Carolina schools are among the best in the nation this year, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The Department of Education recently awarded the four schools the title of 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools . Now in its 41st year, the National Blue Ribbons Schools Program recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing achievement gaps among diverse students.
Of the 356 schools recognized nationwide in 2024, here are the four South Carolina schools.
Blue Ribbon SC schools
Academic Magnet High School
- Nomination category: Exemplary high performing schools
- Location: North Charleston
- School type: Magnet school
- Number of students: 716
- Website: https://amhs.ccsdschools.com/
Buist Academy for Advanced Students
- Nomination category: Exemplary high performing schools
- Location: Charleston
- School type: Magnet school
- Number of students: 533
- Website: https://buist.ccsdschools.com/
Langston Charter Middle School
- Nomination category: Exemplary high performing schools
- Location: Greenville
- School type: Charter school
- Number of students: 471
- Website: https://langstoncharter.org/
Sand Hill Elementary
- Nomination category: Exemplary achievement gap closing schools
- Location: Summerville
- School type: Elementary school
- Number of students: 1,257
- Website: https://shes.ddtwo.org/
“Since opening in 2016, Sand Hill Elementary has been committed to excellence, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment,” a statement on the Sand Hill website reads. “Sand Hill is also proud to be the seventh school in Dorchester District Two to receive the National Blue Ribbon honor.”
Jacob Perlmutter, principal at Academic Magnet School, said in a press release that he and the faculty were extremely proud of the National Blue Ribbon recognition.
“The comprehensive application process really made our team focus on the people and programs that make our school excellent,” Perlmutter said. “Many of those things just exist here, but when you have to sit down and explain in writing just how we create this special community … it made us more conscious of the daily mission.”
Buist Academy for Advanced Students is the first multi-year recipient of the Blue Ribbon, first earning the honor in 2017.
“Being named a National Blue Ribbon School reflects our unwavering devotion to providing an exceptional education and fostering a supportive learning environment for all our students,” Buist Principal Shawntay White said in a press release .
Blue Ribbon goals
The goals of the program are to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the U.S. and to share best practices, the department states. Each year, the Department of Education works with state departments of education to identify and nominate outstanding schools based on student academic achievement measures and progress toward closing achievement gaps.
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