Tega Cay’s Gold Hill Middle School and Clover’s Oakridge Elementary School are among thirteen South Carolina schools named finalists for the 2026 Palmetto’s Finalist Awards.
The South Carolina Association of School Administrators presents the awards each year to schools offering the best in innovative and effective educational programs. The two York County campuses are the only finalists from the region in this year’s slate.
Oakridge Elementary School, in the Clover School District, was named a finalist in the elementary category. Gold Hill Middle School, in the York School District, was named a finalist in the middle school category.
2026 Palmetto’s Finalist Awards
Elementary schools
- Alice Drive Elementary School, Sumter County Schools
- Cannons Elementary School, Spartanburg School District 3
- Carver Elementary Magnet School, Florence School District 1
- Harbor View Elementary School, Charleston County Schools
- Oakridge Elementary School, Clover School District
Middle schools
- Gold Hill Middle School, Fort Mill School District
- Waccamaw Middle School, Georgetown County Schools
High schools
- Blue Ridge High School, Greenville County Schools
- Fort Dorchester High School, Dorchester School District 2
- Lucy Garrett Beckham High School, Charleston County Schools
Special schools
- Brockman Elementary School, Richland School District 1
- HCS Scholars Academy High School, Horry County Schools
- Laurel Hill Primary School, Charleston County Schools
Source: South Carolina Association of School Administrators
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