4 South Carolina Schools Win Top National Teaching Award

Four schools in Columbia, South Carolina, just proved that a different way of teaching can transform how kids learn.

John P. Thomas Elementary, Webber Elementary, Heyward Gibbes Middle, and Hopkins Middle were named Visible Learning Certified Schools this summer at a national conference in Nashville. Only nine schools across the entire country earned this top honor in 2025.

So what makes these schools special? They've mastered a teaching method based on decades of research by Australian education expert John Hattie, who studied what actually works in classrooms. Instead of guessing whether lessons are landing, teachers use evidence to measure their impact in real time.

The approach flips traditional education on its head. Teachers become evaluators of their own teaching effectiveness, constantly asking "Is this working for my students?" Meanwhile, students learn to track their own progress and take ownership of their learning journey.

Getting certified isn't easy. Schools must undergo rigorous assessment, provide proof their methods are working, and meet strict performance standards. The certification lasts just two years, meaning schools must keep proving they're maintaining excellence.

The Ripple Effect

Richland One's success is building momentum across South Carolina. Hopkins Elementary became the first school in the state to earn this certification in 2024, followed by Hyatt Park in 2025. Now with four more schools joining the ranks, the district is creating a blueprint other communities can follow.

The certification comes from Corwin, a leading educational publisher partnering with Professor Hattie to spread evidence-based teaching nationwide. Their goal is simple but powerful: replace guesswork with proven strategies that actually help kids succeed.

What makes this approach revolutionary is its focus on visibility. Teachers aren't flying blind, hoping their lessons stick. They're using data and feedback to see exactly what's working, then adjusting in real time to meet students where they are.

Six Richland One schools have now achieved this distinction, transforming Columbia into an unlikely epicenter of teaching innovation. For a district willing to embrace change and measure results, the payoff is clear: classrooms where both teachers and students know they're making real progress every single day.