State School Superintendent Richard Woods made a special visit to Holly Springs Elementary 
School on Wednesday to honor 12 Douglas County Schools for their exceptional achievements in math and literacy. This prestigious recognition highlights significant growth and proficiency across elementary, middle and high school levels based on statewide milestones and end-of-course tests.
Prior to the awards presentation, State Superintendent Woods engaged with the thought leaders, encouraging them to share valuable feedback and insights on how to enhance education and continue driving student success. Following the discussion, he proudly presented the Math Leader Banners to 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. Math Leader qualifications are based on students achieving the Proficient Learner level or above on the Georgia Milestones mathematics assessments. Overall, 624 Georgia schools earned the Math Leader designation.
“This is the first year we’ve recognized Math Leader schools," Woods noted. “The skill of numeracy is an essential one, both 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."
The Literacy Leader Banner was presented to Holly Springs Elementary for excellence in reading performance. The criteria for the Literacy Leader awards recognize the crucial importance of grade-level reading in third and sixth grades and require higher growth from schools with lower achievement levels. A total of 324 schools statewide earned this distinguished designation.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Chelsea Goodman expressed sincere gratitude to State Superintendent Woods for acknowledging each school’s ongoing dedication to academic excellence.
“It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon with State Superintendent Woods where he reiterated to our Literacy and Math Leaders what an accomplishment it was for our district to receive the number of awards," Goodman said. "He was particularly impressed by the number of middle schools and Lithia Spring’s tremendous growth in mathematics. He enjoyed meeting our very talented educators, especially some of the novice elementary teachers who already are accomplished in their fields.”
State Superintendent Woods visits schools across the state throughout the school year to learn what is effective in Georgia’s K-12 public education system. While touring classrooms, observing learning in progress, conversing with students, educators and other stakeholders, he determines what changes can be made and how the Georgia Department of Education can be of service.
As he concluded his visit, State Superintendent Woods congratulated the group of dedicated educators for all of their hard work, encouraging them to bring more of their fellow colleagues to be recognized next year.
“I want to encourage you, and encourage your other schools," Woods said. "There are schools that we need to come back next year, and we need to celebrate with them and say, ‘you got the banner.’ You are the example for them, so it can be done.”
“Your success is our success,” he added. “If Douglas County is succeeding, then all of Georgia is succeeding.”
