Sand Hill Elementary Wins State’s Top SIC Award! 

Sand Hill Elementary School in Dorchester School District Two has been named the recipient of the 2026 Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council (SIC) Excellence, the highest honor presented by the South Carolina School Improvement Council (SC-SIC) Board of Trustees.

Selected from more than 1,200 submissions statewide, Sand Hill Elementary was one of four finalists and ultimately rose to the top for its outstanding leadership in uniting families, educators, and community members to support teacher retention and drive academic growth.

Driving Meaningful Impact

Sand Hill Elementary’s SIC implemented several innovative initiatives that delivered measurable results:

• Teacher Support: A schoolwide personalized letter-writing campaign ensured every staff member felt recognized and valued.
• Academic Achievement: A targeted English Language Arts (ELA) tutoring program for third through fifth grade students led to measurable academic gains.
• Student Confidence: A high-energy SC READY pep rally helped transform test anxiety into confidence and motivation among students.

"Anything we do at Sand Hill is purposeful, student-oriented, and focused on growth. As the building leader, it is incredible to have a team like the SIC helping promote that vision within our community."

— Principal Vincent Joy

About School Improvement Councils

School Improvement Councils are a cornerstone of collaboration in South Carolina public schools. Each school’s SIC is composed of parents, educators, community members, as well as students at the high school level. Together, they work to support student success by turning ideas into action, with guidance from the South Carolina School Improvement Council.

District Leadership Praise

"This prestigious honor proves that when a school improvement council is driven to collaboratively make significant change, the students win," said Superintendent Chad Daugherty. "Congratulations to Principal Joy, Steve Rabon, Meghan Grady, and the entire Sand Hill SIC on being named the best in the state."

About the Riley Award

Named in honor of former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley and his late wife, Tunky Riley, the award celebrates their lifelong commitment to public education and to strengthening partnerships among schools, families, and communities.