JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais recently announced that Marrington Middle School of the Arts, along with four other South Carolina schools, will be nominated by the South Carolina Department of Education for recognition in the 2012 National Blue Ribbon School Program. Marrington is the only middle school in the state to be nominated for the prestigious award.
The program, run by the U.S. Department of Education, honors public and private K-12 schools that are either high performing or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement despite having a high percentage of students with disadvantaged backgrounds. Marrington Middle qualified on both criteria.
Marrington Middle School Principal, Jim Spencer, said, "I am just so proud of our students and our staff. This is a dedicated and talented staff that is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that all of our students are learning at a high level. This nomination is a true testament to the hard work from our students and staff, and the support we receive from our parents."
Per federal guidelines, South Carolina is allowed to nominate five schools per year for the award. Each school has to make Adequate Yearly Progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act for the past two years in order to qualify for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
"This team has made tremendous gains in the areas of reading and math," said
Superintendent Rodney Thompson. "They set the bar for middle schools across the state and nation in academic excellence in the middle grades."
Each nominated school can submit an application to the U. S. Department of Education for consideration in March. The 2012 recipients will be announced in the fall.
Pictured are the faculty and staff from Marrington Middle School of the Arts, the only middle school in the state to be nominated by the South Carolina Department of Education for the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Award in 2012. (courtesy photo)