4 Midlands schools in running for award

Four Midlands schools are finalists for the annual Palmetto Finest education award.

The list of 8 candidates announced Tuesday include:

▪ Brookland-Cayce Grammar of Lexington 2 and Oak Pointe Elementary of Lexington-Richland 5, both in the elementary school category.

▪ Dutch Fork Middle of Lexington-Richland 5 and Lexington Middle of Lexington 1, both in the middle school category.

No Midlands schools are in the high school category.

Finalists were chosen from among 14 applicants, with winners notified March 15.

Awards are based on a combination of student achievement, quality of instruction, teachers and education culture.

The awards are given yearly by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators after evaluations by a panel of educators.