Blue Ridge High School was named a 2026 Palmetto’s Finest School by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
Students, teachers and administrators at the school north of Greer watched the broadcast announcement for this year’s Palmetto’s Finest School winners on April 23. The Palmetto’s Finest Award recognizes elementary, middle and high schools across the state that provide innovative and effective educational programs. It is considered one of the most prestigious honors for schools in South Carolina.
Principal Ashley Wardlaw said she felt overwhelmed and overjoyed that the school received this honor.
“Our motto is ‘Hear Us Roar,’ because we want to build strong relationships,” Wardlaw said. “We want to be an organization that promotes the achievement of all of our students, and we want to rally our community behind our school. Today, we were able to do that.”
Blue Ridge was among 13 schools selected as finalists for the 2026 Palmetto’s Finest Awards. For the selection process, a committee of educators and past winners evaluated schools’ educational programs by analyzing student achievement, instructional programs, professional learning community and overall school culture.
Greenville County Schools Superintendent Burke Royster said the recognition by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators speaks to the efforts made over the last several years to enhance the school under Wardlaw’s leadership. Blue Ridge was recognized as the highest-performing high school in Greenville County in the fall of 2025 and has experienced the highest growth in graduation rate in the district.
“It lets people know what a great program exists here in all aspects of the school, not just academics, but athletics, the arts, career and technical education – all those different areas that are important to all of our students,” Royster said.
The school was founded in 1954 and currently serves more than 1,000 in ninth through 12th grade. Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees Chair Carolyn Styles, an alumna, said the high school has finally reached the pinnacle of success after 72 years.
“I’m here to tell you that Blue Ridge High School is no longer a best-kept secret, but it’s a school that is well-known in our district and our state for educational excellence,” Styles said.
Additional winners of the 2026 Palmetto’s Finalist Award include:
- Carver Elementary Magnet School in Florence District 1
- Harbor View Elementary School in the Charleston County School District
- Waccamaw Middle School in the Georgetown County School District
- HCS Scholars Academy High School in the Horry County School District
For more information, visit greenville.k12.sc.us/bridgehs.
