Oak Grove Elementary Wins 2012 National Blue Ribbon School Award

Oak Grove Elementary is one of five schools in South Carolina to win the 2012 National Blue Ribbon School Award, the U.S. Secretary of Education announced Friday. 

The school - like all of the award-winners in the state - showed dramatic improvement in test scores, despite having at least 40 percent of its students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Oak Grove received a grade of “A” on its 2012 federal accountability report card. 

For the last three years, the school has received an excellent absolute rating and an excellent growth rating on its state report card.

The school was also recognized with the Palmetto Gold Award for a high level of student performance and for making substantial progress in closing achievement gaps for the past three consecutive years. 

The school credits its positive environment party to incorporating "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey into daily practice.

Oak Grove serves about 700 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. 

Official award ceremonies will take place in Washington D.C. on Nov. 12 and 13, where the approximately 300 national winners will receive Blue Ribbon School flags and engraved plaques as symbols of their success.