Three of Richland Two's four high schools earned Palmetto Gold awards Monday for their consistent growth and improvement.

A total of 25 Richland Two schools earned gold or silver recognition from the S.C. Department of Education.

Lake Carolina Elementary, Ridge View High and Blythewood High earned Gold awards in both the "General Performance" category and the "Closing the Achievement Gap" category, which honors schools with high achievement from African-American, Hispanic, disabled and impoverished students.

“This significant improvement shown in the number of schools receiving this award underscores the district’s commitment to meeting the needs of every  child,” said Richland Two Superintendent Katie Brochu.

Six other schools — Bethel-Hanbury Elementary, Bookman Road Elementary, Langford Elementary, Round Top Elementary, Blythewood Middle and Spring Valley High — earned Gold awards for the General Performance category.

Fifteen schools, including Northeast Columbia schools like Rice Creek Elementary, Polo Road Elementary, Richland Northeast High and Killian Elementary, earned Silver awards.

Nine more Richland Two schools earned awards this year as compared to 2011.