Ga. officials salute dozens of local schools for achievements

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Dozens of schools across the CSRA were named “Literacy Leaders” and “Math Leaders” by the Georgia Department of Education for exceptional achievement and growth in reading and mathematics.

The statewide recognition celebrates schools that demonstrate excellent student progress and proficiency.

In the Richmond County School System, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School, Gracewood Elementary School and Jamestown Elementary School were named 2024-2025 Literacy Leaders.

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Literacy Leader honors were given based on exceptional student achievement and growth on Georgia Milestones assessments, with awards determined by the percentage of students reading or performing at or above grade level in key “gateway grades” (third, sixth, and high school) and by significant year-over-year improvement across all grade levels.

The 2024–2025 Math Leader honorees in Richmond County include Freedom Park K-8 School, John M. Tutt Middle School, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, and Warren Road Elementary School.

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Similar to the literacy recognition, Math Leaders are determined by exceptional performance on Georgia Milestones assessments, particularly in “gateway grades” (fifth and eighth), where at least 90% of students achieved proficiency or higher, or where schools showed significant annual growth in performance.

A total of 406 schools in the state met the qualifications for Literacy Leaders. Among the others in the CSRA were:

• Columbia County: Cedar Ridge Elementary School, Greenbrier Elementary School, Lakeside Middle School, North Harlem Elementary School and Stallings Island Middle School.
• Glascock County: Glascock County Middle High School.
• Hancock County: Hancock Central High School and Lewis Elementary School.
• Jefferson County: Jefferson County High School.
• McDuffie County: Dearing Elementary School.

State officials said 479 schools met the qualifications for Math Leaders. Among the others in the CSRA were:

• Burke County: Burke County Middle School
• Columbia County: Baker Place Elementary, Columbia Middle School, Evans Elementary School, Evans Middle School, Greenbrier Elementary School, Greenbrier Middle School, Grovetown Middle School, Harlem Middle School, Lakeside Middle School, Lewiston Elementary School, Martinez Elementary School, North Harlem Elementary School, Riverside Middle School and Stallings Island Middle School.
• Jefferson County: Wrens Elementary School.
• Lincoln County: Lincoln County High School and Lincoln County Middle School.
• McDuffie County: Thomson-McDuffie Middle School.
• Washington County: T.J. Elder Middle School.