The Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District selected Gilbert Elementary Teacher Judy Whitesell as the 2013 Lexington County Primary School Division Conservation Teacher of the Year.

Whitesell was nominated for making great strides in conservation education at GES. After receiving a grant from PalmettoPride, she created a Carolina Fence Garden at the school. Whitesell and her students used native species of plants and South Carolina stepping stones to create an environmentally friendly garden.

During the Gilbert High Awards Day Assembly, representatives from Control Management and the South Carolina Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council recognized Gilbert High students participating in the LEED Green Associate High School Sustainability Program. The class of 10 students received the recognition for being the first high school class in the nation to complete coursework that is part of the High School Sustainability Curriculum.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2013, Principal Devona Price informed staff, students and parents that Lake Murray Elementary School became the second school in Lexington County School District One to receive Lighthouse School status from the FranklinCovey The Leader in Me™ program. Staff, students and parents gathered in the cafeteria Tuesday evening for the school’s annual Family Leadership Night where they learned the news.