Moultrie, Georgia – December 18, 2024 - The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) celebrated three Colquitt County School District elementary schools as Literacy and Math Leaders for their outstanding achievement and growth at a celebration on Wednesday. Hamilton, R. B. Wright, and Stringfellow Elementary were recognized for grade-level achievement or growth in reading, highlighting the vital role of literacy in shaping educational success. The Literacy Leader recognition is based on the Georgia Milestones Reading Status indicator, derived from the Lexile score associated with the students’ performance on a set of questions on the English Language Arts assessment.
Stringfellow Elementary was also recognized for growth in math for those students who scored Proficient Learner level or above on the Georgia Milestones mathematics assessments. This is the first year GaDOE has recognized Math Leader Schools.
Hamilton Elementary-
- 3rd Grade Literacy Gateway Growth (up 6.9 points)
- 4th Grade Literacy Growth (up 5.1 points)
- 5th Grade Literacy Growth (up 20.6 points
- 5th Grade Literacy Achievement (93.9% passing rate)
Stringfellow Elementary-
- 3rd Grade Literacy Gateway Growth (up 16.4 points)
- 4th Grade Literacy Growth (Up 20.2 points)
- 3rd Grade Math Growth(up 20.3 points)
- 5th Grade Math Gateway Growth (up 16.2 points)
R.B. Wright Elementary-
- 3rd Grade Literacy Gateway Growth (up 5.3 points)
- 5th Grade Literacy Growth (up 6.9 points)
State School Superintendent Richard Woods met with school leaders, teachers, and students to present Kristyn Nelms, Principal of Hamilton Elementary School, Brian Knighton, Principal of Stringfellow Elementary, and Summer Hall, Principal of R. B. Wright Elementary, with banners in celebration of the schools’ accomplishments.
Woods commented, “This celebration reflects the hard work being done at your schools. Literacy and reading are probably the most important skill sets our kids need to graduate.” He went on to add, “Math is just as important; it opens up all doors of opportunity.”
Colquitt County School District Superintendent Dan Chappuis shared, “Our teachers are dedicated to building a strong foundation in numeracy and literacy. This recognition speaks to the student-centered strategies our educators provide for students each day.”
This recognition and the recent release of the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) improvement scores for the district indicate an upward trajectory in student academic success. Under Superintendent Chappius, the district is committed to four pillars for success: Safe and Positive Learning Environment, Focus on Learning, Collaborative Culture, and Attention to Results.
Please follow the links below to see the full story on GaDOE Literacy Leaders and Math Leaders.
Links to 2023-24 GADOE Criteria for Awards:
Literacy: https://lor2.gadoe.org/gadoe/file/b48af528-8deb-448c-8c6d-191101b7bc66/1/Literacy%20Leaders%20Criteria.pdf