By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecitizennews.com

Fayette County High School is one of an elite group of six in the state. It been named a Georgia School of Excellence by state Superintendent Linda C. Schrenko.

It's the only school in Fayette County to achieve the honor, and one of only six in the state.

FCHS principal Gary Phillips called the latest recognition the piece of the puzzle that was missing for the school. “Our teachers have gotten a lot of rewards and recognition. I was named principal of the year in 1998 and Sam Sweatt was named assistant principal of the year in 1996. There have also been a lot of little things... being named a school of excellence is an all-inclusive recognition,” he said.

“We've applied before, during my tenure, and we've always gotten good comments,” Phillips said. But despite the positive results, the school always fell short of being named a School of Excellence. “We knew if they [evaluation team] came to see us, that would seal the deal.” This is the first year on-site visits were made.

Phillips reported that the examiners came for a day-long visit just before Christmas, zeroing in on specific phrases and comments contained in the school's submitted report and checking information to corroborate graphs and charts Phillips and his staff had provided. “They were very deliberate, in my view,” Phillips said.

“Georgia Schools of Excellence bring together the community and school to provide the best possible education for its students. Being selected as a Georgia School of Excellence is one of the highest honors our public schools can receive,” Schrenko said. “These schools chose to make a difference. Students, teachers and administrators, along with those in the community, pulled together to achieve the goals of the schools of excellence program.

“This year's standards were much more rigorous than in previous years,” Schrenko added. “I am pleased to commend these schools for their hard work and dedication to being named one of the best this state has to offer.”

The Schools of Excellence program began in 1984. The nomination process focuses on several vital areas: student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum; active teaching and learning, professional community; leadership and educational vitality; school, family and community partnerships; and indicators of success.

This year a panel of educators reviewed each nominee Oct. 18 and 19. The reviewers participated in a training session in order to ensure a higher degree of quality and consistency in rating applications. Each school's application was read and evaluated by four different individuals who signed assurances indicating that they had no connection with the school in question. Each finalist had a site visit and was evaluated against the available performance data that indicated whether significant improvement had been made.

This year's 19 winners will be honored at a banquet hosted by Schrenko at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta April 20.