At Liberty Middle School, tough love pays off and they have the scores to prove it. Teachers and administrators work hard to make sure the students succeed both personally and professionally.

Principal Victor Lee is retiring this year, leaving Keisa Taylor to serve as principal the coming school year.

"I am proud to have served as principal at such a high performing school," he said. "The faculty is highly dedicated and motivated to ensure that the students succeed. The faculty and staff do whatever it takes to help students learn."

Superintendent Gary Mathews said, "By the time LMS students reach the eighth grade, student performance on Georgia's assessments reach 90 percent or better in language arts and math.

Having consistently achieved Adequate Yearly Progress under the old NCLB with a poverty rate more than 70 percent, Liberty is a shining example of how teachers matter. Under the guidance of recently retired Principal Victor Lee, LMS is without question one of our most data-driven schools when it comes to figuring out what steps to take next to improve student learning. A very collaborative, yet disciplined, school faculty provides a most meaningful learning environment for students replete with effective use of technology."

Liberty Middle School was recognized earlier this year by the Governor's Office of Student Achievement as one of the most academically improved schools in Georgia, said Mathews.

The school was specifically recognized for "Outstanding Progress on State Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests."