The South Carolina Education Oversight Committee recognized Blue Ridge High School (of Greenville County School District) for being the 2026 High School Data Trailblazer recipient during its October full committee meeting.

BRHS Principal Ashley Wardlaw and BRHS Instructional Coach Joel Perkin received the award on behalf of the school and presented to committee members how data is used to improve student academic achievement.

"One way that we share our data with stakeholders is our State of the School address. At the beginning of the year Mr. Perkin and I share with faculty where we have been in the last year, what our data looked like, and what are our preliminary projections." said Principal Wardlaw. 

Blue Ridge High School successfully demonstrated the following Data Trailblazer criteria: using data to improve student outcomes, helping families and caregivers understand student data, maintaining a culture of data-informed decision making, and incorporating practices that prioritize data privacy.

“Data Trailblazer schools exemplify how utilizing student-centered data produces results that boost student achievement,” said EOC Executive Director Dana Yow. “The Education Oversight Committee is pleased to once again recognize schools that have successfully equipped their teachers, parents, and students with information they can understand and use for academic success.”

Photo caption: Senator Ross Turner, EOC Chair April Allen, BRHS Instructional Coach and AP Coordinator Joel Perkin, and BRHS Principal Ashley Wardlaw.