Charleston County Schools Earn Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Recognition for Excellence in Education

Charleston Schools Shine with National Blue Ribbon Recognition

Charleston, S.C. has some exciting news to share! For the first time in two decades, two fantastic schools in the Charleston County School District have earned the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools designation. Both Academic Magnet High School and Buist Academy received this honor from the U.S. Department of Education, making it a memorable moment for the district, especially since it’s the first recognition of its kind in three years.

A Look at Buist Academy

Buist Academy holds a special distinction as the district’s first-ever multi-year recipient of this prestigious award. Having previously earned the Blue Ribbon in 2017, the school has once again proven its commitment to top-notch education. Principal Shawntay White expressed her pride, stating, “Today, we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our Buist educators, students, and families who have made this achievement possible.”

Principal White highlighted that schools can only be nominated to apply for the Blue Ribbon every five years, adding an extra layer of significance to their recognition. “It is an immense honor to be recognized for this distinguished achievement twice within the past seven years. Through COVID and school restructuring, we stayed committed to continuous improvement, building relationships, and innovative teaching and learning practices,” she shared.

Academic Magnet High School’s Achievements

On the other hand, Academic Magnet High School has also celebrated a significant milestone by receiving the Blue Ribbon designation for the very first time. This school, ranked as one of the top 10 high schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, offers a rigorous academic environment for its students. Principal Jacob Perlmutter commented on the comprehensive application process that led to their recognition, stating, “The comprehensive application process really made our team focus on the people and programs that make our school excellent.”

He further explained that while many excellent elements naturally exist at their school, articulating those strengths in writing helped them appreciate their mission even more. “It made us more conscious of the daily mission and, at least for me, made me even more appreciative of the special place I get to work every day,” Perlmutter said.

Criteria for Recognition

You might be curious about what it takes to achieve a National Blue Ribbon designation. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or gradual progress in narrowing achievement gaps among different student groups. Both schools have shown exemplary commitment to academic excellence and the well-being of their students, which ultimately contributes to their outstanding performance in assessments.

Statistics and Enrollment

For a bit of background, Academic Magnet was established in 1988 and currently boasts an enrollment of approximately 734 students located in North Charleston. Meanwhile, Buist Academy, which has been serving the downtown Charleston community since 1985, has about 520 students enrolled. Collectively, their achievements have added to the district’s growing list, now totaling 13 schools that have received the National Blue Ribbon School designation over the years.

Celebrating Success Together

The atmosphere around these schools is one of celebration and pride. Whether you are a parent, student, or educator, everyone can appreciate the hard work that goes into making a school recognized for its excellence. Both Buist Academy and Academic Magnet High School have proven that dedication to education, strong community relationships, and innovative teaching can pave the way for extraordinary achievements.

In the world of education, this honor is more than just a title. It’s a testament to the efforts of everyone involved—teachers, students, parents, and the community. So let’s raise our glasses to the remarkable schools in Charleston, S.C., that have shown what dedication and hard work can accomplish.