Two Douglas County Schools Named 'High Progress' Schools

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Two Douglas County schools have been named among the state's top for making progress despite financial hardships among their students.

Factory Shoals Elementary and Lithia Springs Elementary were named 2016-17 High Progress Reward Schools by the Georgia Department of Education.

A High Progress School is among the top 10 percent of the state's Title I schools making the most progress in improving the performance of all student groups over the past three years on statewide assessments.

Title I schools are schools with a high number, or high percentage, of students from low-income families.

"Both of these schools are doing a great job making sure their students learn the standards," said Douglas County Superintendent Gordon Pritz in a news release. "Their success is reflected in the progress they are making on the state exams as well as in so many other ways that are not measured by a standardized test."

Will Marchant is the principal of Lithia Springs Elementary. Tara Cowins is serving in her first year as principal of Factory Shoals Elementary after serving as assistant principal while Tommy Shadinger was principal prior to his 2016 retirement.

"These schools and districts are working against the odds to provide an excellent education for their students," state schools Superintendent Richard Woods said. "This is so much more than numbers or data. We are talking about changed lives for thousands of students. I can’t overstate how proud I am of every teacher, administrator, and parent who worked to make that happen."

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