Eight South Carolina public schools are being honored as winners of the prestigious Exemplary Writing Program Awards. The eight schools were selected by State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex after a comprehensive five- month evaluation that included site visits.

The State Superintendent said the winning schools will serve as resources for others across the state. The winners from the Midlands are Irmo Elementary School (Lexington/ Richland District 5); and Conder Elementary School and North Springs Elementary School (Richland District 2).

The Exemplary Writing Program is sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Education and governed by the Writing Improvement Coordinating Council. The award is based on an extensive evaluation of the schools' instructional programs, with a particular emphasis on the teaching of writing.