Carolina First
Palmetto's Finest Schools

Each spring since 1978, SCASA has recognized a few schools which offer excellent instruction and outstanding leaders, augmented by strong family and community involvement and a supportive business community.

Initially presented only to two elementary schools and one middle school, the award was expanded in 1996-97, with the support of Carolina First Bank, to include a high school.

The selection process includes a comprehensive review of a school's program, focusing on the key question: "What impact is this school making on the lives of students and the community, and is it deserving of the Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Award?"

Timeline, 2009-2010 Palmetto's Finest awards

 You may download the application here application form. To be eligible to apply, the principal must be a member of SCASA, and must have been principal in the applicant school for the entire previous school year. The school's state accreditation must be in good standing. Winning principals must be able to serve on the Palmetto's Finest Selection Committee for future awards. 

Application Deadline: October 2, 2009: Completed applications, with application fee, may be emailed, mailed, or delivered. 

Email applications to hannah@scasa.org.  All emailed applications must be received by midnight on October 2

or

Send applications to:

Executive Director, SCASA

Attn: Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest Committee

121 Westpark Boulevard, Suite A

Columbia, SC  29210

All mailed or delivered applications must be received in the SCASA office by 5:00 p.m. on October 2, 2009.

 Independent readers evaluate applications and recommend semifinalist schools for initial site visits. Members of the SCASA Palmetto's Finest Awards Committee visit the schools.

 Finalist schools are selected and notified. Awards committee members return for a second site visit.

March 23, 2010: Koger Center for the Arts: All finalist schools gather for the awards event, which is recorded by SC-ETV and broadcast in the following days via ITV closed circuit television. All finalists receive statewide recognition and a plaque. The four or five winners also receive a "Carolina First Palmetto's Finest School" banner, bumper stickers for all their staff members, and a Carolina First Palmetto's Finest lapel pin for the principal.

Sponsors and supporters

Since 1996-1997, Carolina First has been the primary sponsor of the Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Schools program.   Other supporters who are helping to present the  2009-2010 Celebration include:  CSI Technology Outfitters   Data Recognition Corporation SC Educational Television

2010 Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Finalists Fort Dochester Elementary, Dorchester District Two Killian Elementary, Richland District Two McDonald Elementary, Georgetown County Schools Midway Elementary, Anderson DIstrict Five Oakland Elementary, Spartanburg District Two Springfield Elementary, Greenwood District 50 Woodland Heights Elementary, Spartanburg DIstrict Six Dent Middle, Richland District Two Kelly Mill Middle, Richland DIstrict Two Loris MIddle, Horry County Schools Riverside MIddle, Greenville County Schools Wade Hampton High, Greenville County Schools Wren High, Anderson DIstrict One 2009 Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Winners Bell's Crossing Elementary, Barbara Barlow West View Elementary, Shawn Wootton Lugoff-Elgin Middle, Dan Matthews Spring Valley High, Dr. Greg Owings Greenville Tech Charter, Fred Crawford