Friday, April 11, 2003

Area schools selected for state honors

Woodland Elementary Charter School in Sandy Springs and Tri-Cities High School in East Point have been named 2003 Georgia Schools of Excellence. Twenty winners statewide were selected by the Georgia Department of Education for this annual recognition program.

Selected schools must demonstrate strong 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. Since its beginning in 1984, 20 Fulton schools have been recognized as a Georgia School of Excellence.

"Woodland Elementary Charter School is a place where all students are valued and respected," said Woodland Elementary Principal Noris Price. "We work to meet the needs of all students, helping each of them reach their fullest potential. This is a thrilling announcement for all of us ­ our staff and community are to be commended for their unyielding support."

Tri-Cities High School Principal Mimi Davis agrees. "The Tri-Cities staff and community has worked hard to make receiving this award a reality. We are so pleased that the Department of Education is recognizing our successes," she said.

Each local school district is invited to nominate one elementary school, one junior high or middle school, and one high school to the Schools of Excellence program. Up to 39 schools can be named Georgia Schools of Excellence each year: one elementary, one middle or junior high school, and one high school from each of Georgia's 13 congressional districts. Woodland was one of nine elementary schools selected statewide and Tri-Cities was one of six high schools chosen. Both schools represent Congressional District 5.

In December 2002, a panel of highly qualified educators reviewed and evaluated each nominated school's written application. In March, reviewers conducted site visits and evaluated each school against the available performance data in the department that indicated whether significant school improvement had been made.

Woodland Elementary Charter School and Tri-Cities High School will be honored along with the other 18 statewide winners in May at a banquet hosted by State School Superintendent Kathy Cox.