Hembree Springs Elementary Named 2014 Georgia Reward School

Staff Report

Five Fulton County schools have been highlighted by the Georgia Department of Education as exceptional examples of progress and high academic achievement.

The state agency on Tuesday announced its 2014 Reward Schools, a list of Title I schools that are succeeding in their efforts to education students from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Reward Schools fall into two categories: Highest Performance and Highest Progress.

Under the Highest Performance Category, KIPP South Fulton Academy in East Point has earned accolades for a third year as a Highest Performance school and Hembree Springs Elementary School in Roswell is a new addition to the list.

The Highest Performance distinction recognizes Title I schools that are among the top 5 percent in the state. Schools in this category have the highest absolute performance over three years for the “All Students” group on state assessments. Eighty schools statewide received the recognition.

For the HIghest Progress Category, Ison Springs Elementary School in Sandy Springs, Heritage Elementary School in southwest Fulton and Oak Knoll Elementary School in East Point are three of 165 schools statewide recognized as Highest Progress schools.

This distinction highlights Title I schools that are among the top 10 percent statewide and that are making the most progress in improving student achievement.

“These awards are something that our community should celebrate,” said Fulton Schools Superintendent Robert Avossa, Ed.D. ”Our schools are closing an achievement gap that has been persistently difficult to address. This progress serves as a powerful reminder that poverty does not have to be destiny.”

Title I is a federal program that provides additional funding to schools serving children in high poverty areas and who are most at risk for not meeting the state’s performance standards. The funds are distributed by the federal government, through the Georgia Department of Education, to assist in educating students who are economically disadvantaged.

(Photo credit: Patch file)