Four Rockdale County Public Schools received state applause this week for consistent improvements in student test performance.

Davis Middle, Memorial Middle, Barksdale Elementary, and Honey Creek Elementary Schools were part of the list of some 200 schools around that state that were designated as Reward Schools.

The Georgia Department of Education did away with its Title I Schools of Distinction designation and now labels those schools Reward Schools. There are two Reward School categories, Highest-Performing School and High-Progress School. In order to be a Highest-Performing School, the school must be in the top 5 percent of Georgia Title I schools that have the highest absolute performance for the "all students," group on statewide assessments over three years. A High-Progress School must be in the top 10 percent of state Title I schools making the most progress in improving the performance for the "all students," group on statewide assessments over three years.

Davis Middle, Barksdale Elementary, and Honey Creek Elementary Schools were named Highest-Performing Schools, while Memorial Middle School was named High-Progress School.

Rockdale County Superintendent Richard Autry congratulated the four schools in a recent press release.

"To have Barksdale, Honey Creek, and Davis maintain their status for Highest Performance for the second consecutive year demonstrates their unwavering commitment to upholding the highest level of expectations for all students and staff," Autry said. "I am excited to add Memorial Middle to the Reward Schools list for "High-Progress," which is due to the upward trend of student achievement over the past three years. To sustain such improvements over time proves that the students, teachers, and entire school community have worked collaboratively to make continuous improvements. I am proud of the students, teachers, administrators, and parent from all of these schools. Congratulations to all for their hard work and accomplishments."

State officials will recognize Reward Schools during a Title I conference and those schools may be eligible for financial assistance, according to the state education department Web site.

The Reward School designation started in October 2012 and is part of Georgia's waiver from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA.