The Georgia Department of Education has announced that three Newton County schools have been named 2015 Title I Reward Schools — East Newton Elementary, Mansfield Elementary and Oak Hill Elementary.

Reward Schools are Title I schools that fall into one of two categories:

A Highest-Performing School is among the five percent of the state’s Title I schools with the absolute highest performance, over three years, for the “all students” group on the statewide assessments. A school may not be classified as a Highest-Performing School if it has been identified as a Priority or Focus School.

A Highest-Progress School is among the 10 percent of the state’s Title I schools making the most progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over three years on the statewide assessments. A school may not be classified as a High-Progress school if it has been identified as a Priority or Focus School.

East Newton, Mansfield, and Oak Hill each earned the Reward School designation in the “Highest-Progress School” category. According to the Georgia Department of Education, data used for Reward School identification was pulled from 2013-2014.

“The students have been recognized for their progress at East Newton, Mansfield, and Oak Hill Elementary Schools,” said Newton County School Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey. “Their scores place them among the top 10 percent of Title I schools in Georgia to have demonstrated improved results for students. This recognition is a testament to the targeted and detailed work of the East Newton, Mansfield, and Oak Hill students, faculties, and leaders. Congratulations to the East Newton, Mansfield, and Oak Hill communities and teams; your hard work and dedication have paid off.”