LANETT — Springwood School has been named a recipient of the 2018-2019 Alabama Independent School Association Blue Ribbon School Award, according to a news release from AISA.

The Blue Ribbon award recognizes schools with outstanding educational programs. New Springwood Headmaster Lowrie McCown said this is the eighth straight year the private school has earned this distinction.

“For the 8th straight year, Springwood School has been the recipient of the AISA Blue Ribbon Award which affirms the commitment of our faculty and staff to providing our students with a quality college preparatory education,” he said in a news release. “Educational excellence in preparing our students for college and life is a foundational legacy of our school.”

In order to be considered for the AISA Blue Ribbon Award, a school must complete a rigorous application process and exemplify excellence in scholastic achievement, professional learning, student involvement and community interaction.

McCown said Springwood also won the President’s Award, which is the highest achievement a school can get in the AISA. He said only one school for each of the four classifications can win it. Springwood School is considered a Double A school.

“It talks about how hard our faculty and students work to represent excellence in academics,” he said. “It is not just academics — it is fine arts and athletics as well, and it is a total package of how students are developed and the excellence that is represented at this school.”

McCown took over as headmaster in June and is taking over as Springwood enters its 50th year of existence.

“Being new to the community and new to the school, I am just amazed at the legacy this school has,” he said. “Part of it is the community at the school and how connected everybody is.”

He said so many people who graduated from the school have sent their children and the school is starting to see a third generation with grandchildren being enrolled.

“When you start to look at the academics, and role that it plays in the community, it is remarkable,” McCown said. “I stand on the shoulders of all of the staff and leadership that have gone before. My opportunity now is to continue to build on that and continue to grow the school.”