Area schools earn awards for performance, closing achievement gaps

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Eleven Greenville County high schools, 14 middle schools, and 46 elementary schools have earned state recognition for their academic performance and/or for closing achievement gaps.

The Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards program recognizes schools that attain high levels of absolute performance and growth, as well as schools that close the gaps in achievement for historically lower and higher-achieving demographic groups of students.

The 2011-12 school year marked the first time that three years of data for growth index was calculated using PASS test scores.

The Education Oversight Committee establishes the criteria for the awards, and the State Department of Education then applies those criteria to determine which schools are honored.

The criteria for General Performance awards are based on the absolute and growth ratings and the growth index found on school report cards.

Area schools making the list include:

Blue Ridge High School: General Performance Gold

Travelers Rest High School: Closing Gap Silver

Blue Ridge Middle: General Performance Gold

Gateway Elementary: General Performance Silver

Heritage Elementary: General Performance Silver

Slater-Marietta Elementary: General Performance Silver

Tigerville Elementary: General Performance Silver

To view the complete list of schools that earned 2011-12 recognitions, click here.