A Georgia School of Excellence, Heard-Mixon has had some recent changes with its longtime principal Lee Peck moving to central office and assistant principal Marquita Wilkins taking over at the helm. However, the school has always has quality teachers, high test scores and a population of students, parents and teachers ready and willing to do what it takes to excel.

"Heard-Mixon was recently awarded a Georgia School of Excellence in Student Achievement for increasing student achievement in all areas over the last three years," said former principal (of seven years) Peck. "It has been a privilege to work with such an outstanding school community where all stakeholders come together to work collaboratively to do what is best for all the children we serve. I know Mrs. Wilkins and her staff will continue to work with the school community to continue the focus of increased student achievement."

Wilkins said she was blessed to be on Peck's team for the last seven years. Additionally she said, "Heard-Mixon is amazing because of its wonderful people and our, ‘It takes a village' approach to teaching for learning for all students. The community has embraced the school and supports its vision of excellence. Heard-Mixon has been named a Title 1 Distinguished School seven consecutive years, a Bronze School and a Georgia School of Excellence," she said.

"Heard-Mixon is truly an outstanding school," added Superintendent Gary Mathews. "It is not a ‘Georgia School of Excellence' by happenstance. It is a school where teachers have committed to collaboration with and observation of fellow teachers, all for the purpose of improving professional practice. The Professional Learning Communities at Heard-Mixon are for real. They start with the end in my mind [student achievement] as they discuss, analyze, and change practice for the better. Frankly, it doesn't get any better than that and their results tell as much."