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Three NCSS schools named Georgia Reward Schools
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Liberty Middle School, Alcovy High School and Newton High School have been named Reward Schools by the Georgia Department of Education.

GaDOE announced its Reward Schools Tuesday as part of the state’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act flexibility waiver. Reward Schools are recognized for having the “highest performance” among students, or as “high progress,’’ for academic gains during the past three years.

Each of Newton County’s Reward Schools is in the “High-Progress School” category.

According to state standards, a “Highest-Performing School” is one that, in statewide assessments, ranks among the 5 percent of Title I schools with the highest performance over three years for “all students.” A school may not be classified as a Highest-Performing School if it has been identified as a Priority, Focus or Alert School.

A “High-Progress School” is one that is among the 10 percent of Title I schools that is making the most progress in improving the performance of “all students.” A school may not be classified as a “High-Progress School” if it has been identified as a Priority, Focus or Alert School.

A school is determined to be a Title I school based on its percentage of low-income students.
According to Matt Cardoza, director of communications for the GaDOE, data used for Reward School identification was pulled from 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“We’re very proud of these schools, as they have demonstrated continued improvement in student achievement over the last three years as measured by Georgia assessments,” said Newton County School Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey.

“The staff and school leaders at each of these schools have worked diligently to ensure there is a laser-like focus on increasing student achievement through more effective teaching.

“The upward trajectory is promising even as we have a need to perform better — particularly in mathematics.”

Alcovy High and Newton High were also Reward Schools last year.