Melody Johnson, fourth-grade teacher at Lugoff Elementary School, was one of five finalist for the S. C. Teacher of the Year Johnson is a National Board-certified teacher who leads team-building activities on the first day of school to help students work together as a family.

Five Kershaw County schools – Blaney Elementary, Lugoff Elementary, Camden High, Lugoff-Elgin High and North Central High – were honored as Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver schools by the State Department of Education for having high levels of academic achievement, obtaining high rates of students academic improvement and closing achievement gaps.

Lugoff Elgin Middle School has earned distinction for the second time as a School to Watch – the first middle school in the state to ever earn that honor. The award is presented by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle -Grades. Reform to honor schools that are academically excellent, developmentally responsive and socially equitable.