Nation Ford High in York County has earned the highest recognition it can get.
The Fort Mill School District claims one of six South Carolina schools on the 2020 list of National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Nation Ford High School earned the distinction, announced Thursday.
Joining Nation Ford from South Carolina are A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering (Greenville), Chapman High School (Inman), Ocean Drive Elementary School (North Myrtle Beach), Rollings Middle School Of The Arts (Summerville) and Saint Mary’s Catholic School (Greenville).
There were 367 schools honored nationwide. Awards were based on overall academic performance and progress toward closing achievement gaps for students. The program is open to public and private elementary, middle and high schools, and has been in place since 1982.
“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said U.S. Sec. of Education Betsy DeVos in a release Thursday. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”
Nation Ford won in the exemplary high performing schools category. According to information from the Blue Ribbon program, the more than 1,700-student Nation Ford has received consecutive excellent school ratings and outpaces state averages for ACT, SAT and end of course testing. A growing AP program, professional training on support for students in poverty, partnerships on sessions for non-native English speakers and flex blocks that allow students to get extra support are mentioned.
Nation Ford joins 2018 winners Fort Mill High School and York Preparatory Academy as York County winners.
In a message to his school staff on Thursday, Nation Ford principal Jason Johns thanked teachers and school employees for the daily, indelible impact they have on students.
“This is the highest national recognition a public or private school can receive,” Johns said. “Folks, earning a National Blue Ribbon designation reflects your dedication and compassion for our students, your support of each other, and your relentless pursuit of all our students achieving at a very high level.”
