The Georgia Department of Education released the 2016-2017 list of Title I Reward Schools and both East Newton Elementary and South Salem Elementary made the list.

“These schools and districts are working against the odds to provide an excellent education for their students,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “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.”

Reward Schools are Title I schools that fall into one of two categories:

• A Highest-Performing School is among the five percent of the state’s Title I schools with the absolute highest performance, over three years, for the “all students” group on the statewide assessments. A school may not be classified as a Highest-Performing School if it has been identified as a Priority or Focus School.

• A Highest-Progress School is among the 10 percent of the state’s Title I schools making the most progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over three years on the statewide assessments. A school may not be classified as a High-Progress school if it has been identified as a Priority or Focus School.

East Newton and South Salem each earned the Reward School designation in the “Highest-Progress School” category. The Georgia Department of Education used data from the 2015-2016, 2014-2015, and 2013-2014 school years to determine this year’s Title I Reward Schools.

“I am so proud of the diligent work that the staff and students have put forth to achieve this goal,” said Terran Newman, principal of South Salem Elementary School. “We will continue to strive to fulfil our motto: Every Student Matters and Every Day Counts.”

“This is a wonderful honor for our school,” said Dr. Kim Coady, principal of East Newton Elementary School. “The hard work of our students and staff does not go unnoticed and I am extremely proud of them for this accomplishment.”

“Congratulations to East Newton and South Salem on a job well-done,” said Newton County School Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey. “Their scores have placed them among the top 10 percent of Title I schools in Georgia to have demonstrated improved results for students. This recognition is a testament to the targeted and detailed work of the students, faculties, and leaders.”

For more information contact Ms. Sherri Davis-Viniard, director of public relations for Newton County Schools, at [email protected].