Ellen Weaver State Superintendent of Education | South Carolina Department of Education
Six schools in South Carolina have been honored for their achievements in academic excellence and efforts to close achievement gaps among students. The recognition took place at the Statehouse, where State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver and Governor Henry McMaster acknowledged the recipients of the 2025 Blue Ribbon School awards.
The schools recognized this year include Aiken Scholars Academy, Charleston School of the Arts, Tigerville Elementary School, West Pelzer Elementary School, Cross High School, and Prince of Peace Catholic School. The first three were noted as Exemplary High Performing schools, while West Pelzer Elementary and Cross High School were recognized for Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program was established by the U.S. Department of Education over four decades ago to honor public and private schools for either overall academic excellence or significant progress in closing achievement gaps. In South Carolina, public school nominations are made by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), while independent school nominations come from the Council for American Private Education.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would no longer oversee the national program and has encouraged states to continue recognizing educational excellence independently. As a result, starting this school year, SCDE will introduce its own state-led Blue Ribbon Schools program using similar criteria to acknowledge both academic performance and growth within South Carolina's schools. The department plans to review all aspects of the nomination and selection process to ensure future recognitions align with state expectations for education.
“These Blue Ribbon Schools embody the very best of South Carolina education,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. “We’re proud to continue this legacy of celebrating excellence. They show what happens when educators believe in every child’s potential, and students discover the power of hard work and believing in themselves. Their success lights the path for schools across our state.”
“The achievements of these six schools should be a source of great pride for our entire state,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “They represent what can be accomplished when South Carolinians come together with purpose, perseverance, and a shared belief in the power of a great education. Our hope is the next generation of students will carry that same spirit forward.”
A press conference about this recognition was held on Wednesday afternoon.
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