News Summary
South Florence High School has been recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Palmetto’s Finest award, marking a significant achievement for the school and the Florence 1 Schools district. This is the third consecutive year a school from this district has reached the finalist stage, highlighting its dedication to excellence in education. The award process involves a rigorous selection and onsite evaluations, showcasing the school’s exceptional learning environments. Principal Shand Josey announced the news to the school community, and the anticipation grows as the award committee plans to visit for a second evaluation.
South Florence Shines Bright as Finalist for Prestigious Award!
South Florence, SC – In what is truly exciting news for local students and staff, South Florence High School has stepped into the spotlight as a finalist for the coveted Palmetto’s Finest award for 2025. This prestigious award, presented by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA), celebrates schools that exemplify excellence in education, and South Florence is proudly carrying the torch this year.
A Tradition of Excellence
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that this marks the third consecutive year a school from the Florence 1 Schools district has made it to the finalist stage of this competitive award. Just last year, Delmae Heights Elementary School clinched the award, demonstrating the district’s commitment to fostering high-quality education. How exciting it must be for our students and educators to know they are part of such a thriving educational community!
How the Selection Process Works
Gaining finalist status is no small feat; it includes a rigorous selection process. Schools vying for this honor must submit detailed applications showcasing their school culture, student achievement, and instructional programs. Once the applications are reviewed, the award committee conducts onsite evaluations, visiting the finalists to observe firsthand the exceptional learning environments created by the schools.
Meet the Principal and Community Support
On January 30, 2025, Principal Shand Josey took to a Google Meet to share this wonderful news with the school’s staff and students. Her announcement brought cheers and excitement as the school community learned about this recognition. Principal Josey took a moment to shine a light on the dedicated individuals behind the scenes – the students, the hard-working staff, and, of course, the supportive families from the South Florence community. Together, they have combined their passion, diligence, and commitment to earn this illustrious accolade.
Looking Ahead
As the excitement builds, South Florence High awaits the next step. The award committee is scheduled to visit the school for a second evaluation, expected to take place sometime in February or March of this year. The anticipation around the school is palpable, as everyone prepares to showcase the amazing things happening within their walls.
A Nod of Recognition from the District
The school’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by District Superintendent Richard O’Malley, who has praised Principal Josey’s leadership style and the impressive growth of the school’s academic programs. His acknowledgment of the successful Arts Magnet program at South Florence further emphasizes how the school is innovating and expanding opportunities for its students.
What’s Next: The Big Announcement
The countdown is officially on! The winners of the 2025 Palmetto’s Finest award will be announced in April 2025, adding to the thrill of this educational journey. Regardless of the outcome, South Florence High School has already showcased its dedication to exceptional education, creating a vibrant community that invests wholeheartedly in its students’ successes.
It’s a great time for South Florence, as the school’s recognition sheds light not only on its achievements but on the promise of what’s to come. Here’s to hoping this marvelous high school continues to rise and shine in the realm of education!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier
- Wikipedia: Education in South Carolina
- WBTW News
- Google Search: Palmetto’s Finest award
- SC Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- WMBF News
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
