Marrington Middle a National Blue Ribbon School

Goose Creek's Marrington School of the Arts was honored Friday morning as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Schools are selected based on academic performance or their ability to close the achievement gap. Five schools were nominated by the state's Department of Education based on the criteria.

Marrington is the first South Carolina middle school in a decade to win be selected as a Blue Ribbon School. 

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"We have extremely high expectations for our kids and our staff," said principal Jim Spencer. "It's our goal to push our students to a higher academic level."

Marrington's arts program attracts students from throughout the district. Though the school is located on the Charleston Navy Base, only a quarter of the student body comes from the military housing.

The program requires a dedication from students and support from parents, but there's also a staff-wide philosophy that includes, teachers, administrators, lunchroom crew and more.

"It doesn't matter your job at this school," Spencer said. "Your job is to imporve a child's learning."

The school was honored earlier this summer as one of eight middle schools across the country with a for Depth of Implementation.

Spencer said the latest award adds to the challenge. "It's an additional motivator," he said.