North Fulton Schools Receive 5-Star Climate Rating

On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Education released its annual School Climate Star and Financial Efficiency Star ratings for all school systems in Georgia.

School climate refers to the quality and character of school life – the “culture” of a school.

A sustainable, positive school climate fosters youth development and student learning, which are essential elements for academic success, career-skill improvement and overall quality of life. The rating helps determine whether a school is on the right path to school improvement.

School climate ratings are based on survey results and data from the 2015-2016 school year, and each school is rated on a 1-5 scale. Five stars represents an excellent school climate while a one star shows a school climate in need of improvement.

In Fulton, 20 schools received a 5-Star rating, a dramatic change from 2015 when only four schools fell within that range:

• Abbotts Hill Elementary School, Johns Creek
• Alpharetta High School, Alpharetta
• Autrey Mill Middle School, Johns Creek
• Barnwell Elementary School, Johns Creek
• Crabapple Crossing Elementary School, Milton
• Crabapple Middle School, Roswell
• Dolvin Elementary School, Johns Creek
• Elkins Pointe Middle School, Roswell
• Heards Ferry Elementary School, Sandy Springs
• Hopewell Middle School, Milton
• New Prospect Elementary School, Alpharetta
• Northview High School, Johns Creek
• Northwestern Middle School, Milton
• River Trail Middle School, Johns Creek
• Sandy Springs Middle School, Sandy Springs
• Summit Hill Elementary, Milton
• Sweet Apple Elementary School, Roswell
• Webb Bridge Middle School, Alpharetta
• Wilson Creek Elementary School, Johns Creek
• Hapeville Charter Career Academy, Hapeville

In addition, 47 schools increased their climate rating while only two schools had a decrease.

“Our schools saw notable improvements from the previous year,” said Superintendent Jeff Rose. “This shows the incredible progress that happens when leadership and staff make a concerted effort to excel and make sure the learning environment is safe and nurturing for students. It also shows the powerful impact of parents and community support.”

Similarly, the GDOE also released its annual Financial Efficiency Star Rating for the 2015-2016 school year. Assigned to the district rather than individual schools, the financial efficiency star rating is designed to provide information on the relationship between per pupil expenditure (PPE) and academic achievement. It uses a three-year average of per pupil expenditures and College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores to determine a rating between 0-5.

A rating of one-half star designates a high spending school with a low CCRPI and a rating of five stars designates a low spending school with a high CCRPI. On this scale, Fulton received a rating of 2.5 stars, a half-star improvement from the previous year.

While a helpful tool to provide information about the relationship between per pupil expenditures and student achievement, the rating does have some limitations, the Fulton County School System said.

It does not consider any of Fulton’s most recent academic gains, such as increased graduation rates and the district’s high SAT achievement. In addition, it doesn’t consider that Moody’s Investment Service gave Fulton a Triple A rating (Aaa), the highest credit rating available for a government entity.

The Aaa rating indicates the school system’s skill and experience with regard to financial operations including budgeting and forecasting, cash management, financial reporting, accounting, and financial management. Similarly, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned Fulton County Schools a AA+ rating, one of its highest ratings.

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