Achievement
Sterling Awards & Honors
Our students, faculty, and families earn recognition across academics, the arts, leadership, and the whole child.
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#1
Middle school in S.C., U.S. News 2026
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#4
Elementary school in S.C., U.S. News 2026
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12
National Board Certified faculty
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27
Gifted and Talented endorsed faculty
U.S. News & World Report
Climbing the rankings
Elementary school rank in South Carolina
From #16 to #4 in two years, out of 635 ranked elementary schools.
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#16
2024
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#8
2025
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#4
2026
#1
Middle school in South Carolina
Top of 308 ranked middle schools. Sterling has earned both Best Elementary and Best Middle honors every year since the rankings began in 2021.
National and state recognition
Featured honors
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2023
National Blue Ribbon School
Named by the U.S. Department of Education, one of the nation’s highest honors for a school.
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2021
VALUED Lives Award for School Excellence in Diversity
From the Riley Institute at Furman, honoring our restorative practices, SEL, mentoring, and community partnerships. Watch the VALUED Lives video
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2021
Sylvia Palmer Sustainable Educator School Award
For sustainability leadership, including the Sliding Rock project and student-led environmental activism.
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2020–2022
National PTA School of Excellence
Celebrating the partnership between our PTA and school that enriches every student’s experience.
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2019
S.C. ASCD Whole Child Award School
For educating a child who is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Watch the Whole Child video
Competitions and the arts
Student winning streaks
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11 titles
Math Counts Upstate Champions
2010–2018, 2021–2022
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5 titles
Math Counts State Champions
2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021
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6 years
Jr. Beta State Convention Winners, elementary and middle
2018–2023
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4 years
Jr. Beta National Quiz Bowl Champions
2015–2018
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5 years
GCS Middle Battle of the Books Champion
2021–2025
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5 titles
GCS Elementary Battle of the Books Champion
2017, 2019, 2021–2023
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5 years
SCMEA Orchestra Gold Outstanding Performance
2021–2025
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6 awards
SCBDA Band Outstanding Performance
2019, 2021–2025
- 2023 First Lego League Robotics State Champions
- 2019 Black History Quiz Bowl Champions
- 2018 Virginia Hamilton Essay Honor Award
Recognized educators
Faculty and staff honors
13
state and local honors earned by our faculty and staff since 2019
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WYFF Golden Apple Award
- 2025
- 2024
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Upstate Parent “10 Educators Who Make a Difference”
- 2024
- 2023
- 2021
- 2019
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GCS School Administrator of the Year
- 2023
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S.C. Art Education Association Outstanding Administrator
- 2023
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S.C. PTA Elementary Administrator of the Year
- 2020
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Kate Huff History Scholar
- 2025
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PSSCA S.C. School Counselor of the Year
- 2022
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S.C. Art Education Association Art Educator of the Year
- 2020
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GCS First Year Teacher of the Year
- 2020
Community and wellness
More school honors
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2024
- EXCELLENT S.C. School Report Card, elementary and middle, four years running
- S.C. PTA Outstanding Local Unit of the Year
- Finalist, Dick & Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence
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2020
- United Way of Greenville Community Award
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2018
- Niche.com #1 Public Elementary School in Greenville County
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2018, 2014, 2013
- LiveWell Healthy School Award
Faculty expertise
Our faculty have presented at these national and state conferences:
- ACTFL
- ASCD
- NAGC
- NCTE
- PSSCA
- SCASA
- SCASL
- SCAMLE
- SCFLTA