The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program has launched its annual search for Georgia’s highest SAT-scoring high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic success.

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation, which co-sponsors STAR with the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, has received more than 500 nominations from public and independent high schools across the state. STAR Students and STAR Teachers will be announced in communities throughout the state in February and March. Georgia’s 2011 State PAGE STAR Student and Teacher will be announced at the annual banquet in late April in Atlanta.

During the past 53 years, more than 22,500 STAR Students and Teachers have been recognized for their academic and professional accomplishments.

To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest SAT score (from any one administration of the three-part SAT taken through the November test date of the student’s senior year) and be ranked in the top 10 percent of their class. These students then select an inspiring teacher to share in this recognition.