Twelve Douglas County schools have earned recognition from the Georgia Department of 
Education in literacy and mathematics. Holly Springs Elementary has been named a Georgia Literacy Leader. In addition, Annette Winn Elementary, Mirror Lake Elementary, Mount Carmel Elementary, North Douglas Elementary, Chapel Hill Middle, Chestnut Log Middle, Factory Shoals Middle, Fairplay Middle, Mason Creek Middle, Stewart Middle, and Lithia Springs High School have been recognized as Math Leaders.
“These milestone recognitions reflect our school system’s and our Board of Education’s commitment to academic excellence in literacy and math,” said Superintendent Trent North. “These achievements are especially important because they demonstrate growth and proficiency in two areas that will shape our students’ future success.”
The Literary Leader designation earned by Holly Springs Elementary School was awarded to 324 schools statewide. It recognizes exceptional achievement in reading performance. Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Chelsie Goodman highlighted Holly Spring’s literacy achievements: “As part of our district’s strategic goals, we have put a specific emphasis on increasing our students’ Lexile levels and overall reading performance. Holly Springs’ leadership, teachers, students, and community highlight their commitment to this endeavor with the Literacy Leader Award,” she said. “We are proud of the Hawks and their hard work and cannot wait to see their continued successes.”
In all, 624 Georgia schools achieved the Math Leader designation, which recognizes exceptional 
achievement or growth in mathematics. Reflecting on the math achievement, Goodman adds: “With the implementation of new math standards and subsequent math resources, we are thrilled that so many of our schools across all grade bands were recognized for their hard work.” Goodman added, “These awards reflect countless hours of planning and preparing by our teachers while also reflecting the time spent by our students learning, practicing, and studying.”
State School Superintendent Richard Woods also praised both groups of honorees, saying, “These schools are moving the needle on both literacy and mathematics in our state—and, as a result, changing the lives of the students they serve.”
State Superintendent Woods adds that this is the first year of the Georgia Department of Education’s Math Leader designation. “Numeracy,” he explained, “is an essential skill as students progress through their K-12 education and in their futures. These schools and their educators, students, families, and communities have worked hard to implement the new K-12 Mathematics Standards and prepare all students for life. I commend them on their outstanding work.”
State Superintendent Woods will personally visit recognized schools throughout the fall to celebrate their accomplishments.
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