‘This is a big deal”: This Fort Mill high school just won a top national honor
Fort Mill High School has another major award for its trophy case.
The Fort Mill School District announced Friday the high school is the first high school this year selected as a Lighthouse School by National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
Principal Gales Scroggs posted on Facebook that the school was named Thursday as a winner. The national BRSE is a nonprofit in place since 2001 that provides nine-point school assessments on a wide range of student, teacher and administrator efforts and outcomes. The Lighthouse School designation is its highest honor.
“This is a big deal,” the post reads. “With so many hardships and struggles in education this year, an acknowledgment of the excellent teaching and positive culture at our school is much needed and well deserved.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program is part of the U.S. Department of Education and recognizes outstanding public and private schools across the country. That program has been in place since 1982. Fort Mill High won a 2018 blue ribbon designation as an exemplary high performing school, after a prior win in 2004. Nation Ford High School won a blue ribbon designation last year. Gold Hill Elementary School won one in 2007.
Lighthouse recognition requires surveys and a two-day site visit to observe classrooms. Parent and teacher interviews are conducted. Schools are rated on student focus and support, school organization and culture, challenging standards and curriculum, active teaching and learning, technology integration, professional community, leadership and educational vitality, indicators of success and school, family and community partnerships.
“I cannot adequately express how proud I am of our school,” Scroggs said. “This award shines yet another national spotlight on the outstanding instruction and positive school culture that make Fort Mill High School an exceptional place. We are so proud that the combined efforts and achievements of our students, educators, families, and community stakeholders are recognized as an example to others.”
This story was originally published February 12, 2021 at 11:29 AM.
