The Georgia Department of Education recently released its 2016-2017 list of Title I Reward Schools and Habersham County has two of the top performing schools in our area.
Demorest Elementary and Level Grove Elementary were both named Title I High Progress Reward Schools. That designation puts them in the top 10% of schools in the State of Georgia that made the most progress in improving state test scores for the “all students” group over a three year period (2013-2015).
“This is so much more than numbers or data. We are talking about changed lives for thousands of students.” ~ State School Supt. Richard Woods
Twelve schools in the fourteen 
school system Pioneer RESA district were designated High Progress Schools. Nine were designated Highest Performing.
School officials credit students and staff
Habersham County Elementary Schools Director Rhonda Andrews says having two Reward Schools is a great accomplishment for the local school system. “I am very proud of the work by teachers, staff, students, and administration at Demorest Elementary and Level Grove Elementary,” she says. “There is a commitment to excellence at each school which resulted in this achievement. It is hard earned and well deserved!”
Level Grove principal Darlene Hudson echoes that sentiment.
“This outstanding accomplishment would not be possible without the daily dedication, determination, and diligence of our students, staff, and parents,” she says. Hudson, who took over as Level Grove principal in May 2016 describes how former principal Tony Reabold reacted upon hearing the news. “Effective teachers who won’t give up on any child are the key to academic success,” he said. “Luckily I had many.”
Demorest Elementary School Principal Connie Yearwood says, “I am very proud of our students’ achievement. We will continue to strive for excellence because we know that quality education in the formative years increases the likelihood that children will graduate high school.”
Calling it a “fantastic achievement”, Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper says, “It is evident that these schools are accomplishing our mission of ‘Success for ALL Students’. As our school system continues to make progress, I expect that more of our schools will receive this award in the future.”
Demorest and Level Grove Elementary among an elite group
Statewide, 160 schools were named Title I High Progress Reward Schools this year and 81 were named Title I Highest Performing Schools. Highest Performing Schools rank in the top 5% of the state’s Title I schools with the absolute highest performance over three years in the “all students” group on statewide assessments. Nine schools in the Pioneer RESA district received that distinction this year including, Rabun County Elementary, White County Intermediate and Mount Yonah Elementary School in White County.
“These schools and districts are working against the odds to provide an excellent education for their students,” says State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “This is so much more than numbers or data. We are talking about changed lives for thousands of students. I can’t overstate how proud I am of every teacher, administrator, and parent who worked to make that happen.”
