RED CARPET AWARD

Chapman High School was one of only 42 schools in 2009 to receive the Red Carpet Award from the South Carolina Department of Education. Per the Department of Education’s definition, schools merit this honor by doing “an outstanding job of creating a family-friendly school environment and providing excellent customer service.” Chapman went through three stages to receive this prestigious award.

The first stage, the application process, included a written document comprised of information about school demographics, communication within the system and with the community, customer friendliness, and uses of technology to integrate with clientele. For the most important piece -- the evaluation component -- information from state report cards, surveys administered to parents and community, and personal interactions were analyzed to see how customer service could be improved. School committees used the input to establish ways to better supply the needs of their clientele. A communication plan was created by Chapman’s administration and published on the school website; hard copies were also made available at the school.

Once this part of the process was passed, the next two stages consisted of a phone call and a school visit. These contacts were made anonymously. School personnel were not made aware as to whether they had passed the written application to know if they were eligible to continue the process. Judges asked office and guidance personnel for information about the school and its programs and rated how they, as callers and visitors, were treated. The school was judged on cleanliness, attractiveness, friendliness, and efficiency in dealing with clients.

Last May, Principal Stephanie Mathis was notified that Chapman High School had received the award. As the summer progressed, it was also determined that Chapman would be one of three schools highlighted on an ETV special. On September 9^th, a film crew spent an entire day interviewing school personnel and recording footage of the good things that happen at the school. On September 29^th, Mrs. Mathis was interviewed on a live broadcast to showcase Chapman for excellence on customer service. An actual red carpet given by the Department of Education is on display in the entrance area of the school.