Dorchester Two Schools Recognized

Twenty-five schools were recognized Monday for the state's Palmetto Gold and Silver awards, and Closing the Achievement Gap Gold and Silver awards. 

"Great things are happening because we have great leaders at our school," district Superintendent Joe Pye said, referring to schools' principals who attended Monday's regular meeting of the school board.

The awards are given through S.C. Department of Education. Established by the Education Accountability Act of 1998, the Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards Program gives recognition to schools for high levels of academic achievement and high rates of improvement. More than half of this year’s recipient schools have a poverty index of 60 or higher.

Thirteen schools won the Palmetto Gold Award. Those schools are: , , , , , , Rollings Middle School of the Arts, , , , , and .

Five schools won the Palmetto Silver Award. Those schools are: , Eagle Nest Elementary, Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary, River Oaks Middle and . 

Closing the Achievement Gap recognition is based on academic gains made by students who fall into four subgroups – student participation in federal free or reduced-price lunch programs, students with non-speech disabilities, African-American students, and Hispanic students.

Four schools were in the district for Closing the Achievement Gap Gold Award. Those schools are: Beech Hill Elementary, Fort Dorchester Elementary, Knightsville Elementary and Rollings Middle School of the Arts. Three Dorchester Two schools won Silver: DuBose Middle, Oakbrook Middle and Spann Elementary. 

Tuesday, the district will find out if .