Chattahoochee High School recently was named by the Georgia Department of Education as a 2009 Georgia School of Excellence for Student Achievement. Twenty-seven public schools were chosen 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). Chattahoochee, led by principal Tim Duncan, was recognized in the “Top 10%” 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 27 schools will be honored at a banquet on February 5 at the Georgia International Conference Center.
Chattahoochee student named to State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council
Chattahoochee High School also is celebrating the selection of Manasa Bhatta, a sophomore at the school, to State Superintendent Kathy Cox’s 2009-10 Student Advisory Council. The first council meeting was held today at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
More than 550 students from 108 school districts applied to be members by filling out an application and answering essay questions. Students were chosen based on the strength of their essay answers.
Manasa and her fellow council members will meet two additional times to advise Superintendent Cox on how state policies are having an impact in the classroom. The Student Advisory Council will also discuss other education-related issues and serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors in their respective schools.
