District leadership surprised school principals at five Aiken County schools: Aiken Scholars Academy, Aiken Elementary, Hammond Hill Elementary, Millbrook Elementary and North Augusta Middle as they were recognized as Palmetto Gold and Silver Schools. This prestigious award is given annually by the South Carolina Department of Education.
Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy and Chief Officer of Instruction Dr. Amy Edwards visited all five schools on Tuesday, March 17.
"The Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards are a testament to the dedication of our students and staff," Dr. Corey Murphy said. "Visiting these five schools today, I am reminded that excellence is a daily commitment in our district. I am incredibly proud of these school communities for setting a state-level standard for success."
“It's rewarding because I've seen teachers put in their heart and soul into it. I saw our kids put a lot into it. To see this, it's just a, it's a reminder that hard work does pay off,” Millbrook Elementary principal Jacque Osteen said. “Hopefully we can continue that hard work so that we can continue to see these rewards.”
The award program was established by the Education Accountability Act in 1998. Nearly 20 years later, updated criteria was approved by the SC State Board of Education based off annual school report cards.
“As a principal at this school, to see all our hard work finally come together, and to be able to move from average to good, then to excellent is exciting. And this is just a cherry on top that we were able to close those gaps,” Aiken Elementary principal Kristie Brooks said. “Then my kids go to school here, and so as a parent, it gives me great pride in the school that is my community school. It's a little emotional, because we've worked so hard to come together to set and achieve goals.”
At the Elementary and Middle School level, this state award focuses on academic achievement and student progress. At the high school level, it focuses on academic achievement, preparing for success, graduation rate and college/career readiness.
“We have the best community. It's a very tight-knit community here in North Augusta and in Hammond Hill,” principal Dede Scott shared. “Our motto is HHE is the best place to be, where we provide high-quality instruction, valuing everyone, and you see that what we're receiving is matching our motto.”
“It just means that the hard work is paying off,” North Augusta Middle principal Terra van der Linden shared. “They really put so much time into the students, and the students work so hard, and it just shows that hard work pays off. I'm so excited for them.”
“We all work as a team to ensure that our students are successful, our faculty continue to grow professionally and, in their practices, as educators and just be supportive to our greater community as well,” Aiken Scholars Academy principal Martha Messick said.
