Wednesday, Septembder 5, 2001
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Wednesday, Septembder 5, 2001 |
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Schools apply for Excellence award Two Fayette schools will be submitting applications for consideration to participate in the 2002 Georgia School of Excellence Program Kedron Elementary and Fayette Middle. If selected as a participant, these schools will advance to represent Fayette's congressional district, the 3rd. The Georgia Schools of Excellence program identifies and honors successful public schools throughout the state. It is not a ranking of the schools in Georgia, but an attempt to recognize outstanding programs from all of the state's 11 congressional districts. Fayette Middle is hoping to receive its second Georgia School of Excellence award for the 3rd District. The school first received the honor in 1988 when it was known as Fayette County Junior High. Under the School of Excellence program, previously recognized schools can reapply for the recognition after five years. "Fayette Middle is going to represent the county well. I think our school has a good shot at being selected as a participant. We are a school of winners," says Principal Mike Maxwell. As part of the application process, participant nominees have to submit a school self-assessment which addresses the following 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. In addition, previously recognized schools are required to highlight changes and improvements since their last award. They must also describe efforts to share their best practices with other schools and provide explicit evidence throughout the application regarding changes, improvements and outreach efforts to share best practices. "So much has changed at the school since it last got the award; we thought it was time for us to reapply. We would really like to get the recognition again," says Maxwell. Kedron Elementary will try to obtain its first School of Excellence recognition. All members of the staff are currently involved in writing the application report, which is due in October. Principal Jeannie Miller says the Instructional Leadership Team at the school decided to apply for the award because Kedron is truly "an excellent school." "Our school motto, 'To Strive for Excellence in All Things,' is evident every day through the halls and classrooms. Our teachers and staff are committed to teaching the whole child," says Miller. Kedron is in its seventh year of operation. The school officially opened its doors in August of 1995 to an enrollment of 487. It now serves 835 students. Although its population has grown, the school has been able to maintain its high standards by employing top quality teachers and staff, according to Miller. Even if a school is not selected as a participant for the Georgia School of Excellence program, it still benefits from going through the application process. Since the application focuses on the total school program, schools have to evaluate all aspects of school operation, which in turn can be useful for ongoing school improvement efforts. Participant schools will be notified in November.
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