Sprayberry Named School of Excellence

The Georgia Department of Education has named one of the 26 schools that will receive 2011 Georgia School of Excellence honors.

To qualify for the Georgia School of Excellence award, schools must either have the greatest gains in reading and mathematics performance on the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) in their congressional district or be in the state's top 10 percent in test scores.

In addition, a school must make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for at least three consecutive years, offer a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and meet or exceed state mean test scores in science and social studies.

A potential School of Excellence must also not be considered a “Persistently Dangerous School” under federal standards.

Sprayberry is not the only Cobb County high school to receive the honor this year;  also earned School of Excellence status. Two schools from each congressional district are eligible for the award every year. 

"Having not just one but two Cobb County high schools recognized for making academic gains is outstanding," Cobb Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said in a school district press release.

"The School of Excellence awards reflect three years of hard work and sharp focus on student achievement by the teachers and administrators at Hillgrove and Sprayberry. We are very proud of these schools for earning this prestigious honor."

Awardee schools are entitled to fly the School of Excellence flag and receive a $1,000 check from program sponsor Georgia Natural Gas.

Since the award was first handed out in 1984, 53 Cobb County schools have earned the title of Georgia School of Excellence; in the past five years alone, 18 Cobb schools have taken home the honor.