Manning Oaks Elementary School was named today by the Georgia Department of Education as a 2008 Georgia School of Excellence for Student Achievement. Only 26 public schools were chosen annually from each of the state’s congressional districts.

The schools are honored in two categories: “Top 10 %” (schools in the top 10 percent in Georgia as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics) and “Greatest Gains” (schools that demonstrated greatest continuous gains in student achievement for the past three years as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics). Manning Oaks, led by principal Sharon Reinig, was recognized in the “Greatest Gains” category.

In order to be recognized, schools must meet AYP for a minimum of three consecutive years, meet or exceed state mean scores in science and social studies (with the exception of K-2 schools, which do not test in this area) and not be considered a “Persistently Dangerous School” under the Unsafe School Choice Option of No Child Left Behind. Winning schools must also offer a minimum of two AP courses (grades 9-12 only) and be in existence for five years.

The 26 schools will be honored at a banquet on January 23 at the Georgia International Conference Center. Manning Oaks has close to 1,000 students in grades prekindergarten through five.