Recognizing the fundamental importance of mathematics in students’ educations and future careers, the Georgia Department of Education is recognizing schools with exceptional achievement or growth in mathematics as Math Leaders.  Eleven SCCPSS schools are included in the 624 schools recognized statewide.

Schools were recognized for achievement or growth in the percentage of students scoring at the Proficient Learner level or above in mathematics. The criteria for the 2023-2024 Math Leader Awards recognize the crucial importance of numeracy skills in fifth and eighth grades, and require higher growth from schools with lower achievement levels. Awards were given at the elementary and middle-school levels, and at the high-school level based on the Algebra: Concepts and Connections EOC, which is the state test for mathematics in high school.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods said, “Congratulations to our first-ever Math Leader schools! 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.”

“What a great opportunity to celebrate and recognize the outstanding accomplishments of students and educators in the state of Georgia,” said Dr. April Aldridge, GaDOE Deputy Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. “Georgia’s new K-12 Mathematics Standards have been implemented with intentionality and a commitment to expand opportunities for students. We applaud the hard work that has resulted in the accomplishments recognized by the Math Leader designation.”

The following list of recognized SCCPSS schools also details the areas of achievement:

Charles Ellis Montessori Academy – 8^th Grade Gateway Growth

Coastal Middle – 8^th Grade Gateway Growth, HS Achievement

Garrison School for the Arts – 5^th & 8^th Grade Gateway Growth, 7^th Grade Growth, 6^th Grade Growth

Georgetown K8 – 5^th & 8^th Grade Gateway Growth, 7^th Grade Growth, HS Growth

Godley Station K8 – HS Growth

Islands High School – HS Growth

Oglethorpe Academy - HS Growth

Rice Creek K8 – 8^th Grade Gateway Growth, HS Growth

Savannah Classical Academy – 4^th Grade Growth, 5^th Grade Gateway Growth, HS Growth

Shuman Elementary – 5^th Grade Gateway Growth

Woodville-Tompkins Technical & Career High School – HS Growth

Math Leader qualifications are based on students achieving the Proficient Learner level or above on the Georgia Milestones mathematics assessments. Criteria for the recognitions are as follows:

Gateway Achievement (5^th & 8^th Grade and High School)

Schools earned this award when the percentage of 5^th grade, 8^th grade, or high school students scored Proficient or Above in mathematics was 90 percent or higher, based on the 2023-24 Georgia Milestones assessments.

Gateway Growth (5^th & 8^th Grade and High School)

Schools earned this award when the percentage of 5^th grade, 8^th grade, or high school students scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics increased according to the tiered growth criteria below:

• Schools with fewer than 50% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-23 needed a 15-point or high increase compared to the 2022-23 Georgia Milestones assessment.

• Schools with at least 50, but less than 70% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 10-point or higher increase.

• Schools with at least 70, but less than 90% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 5-point or higher increase.

• Schools with at least 90, but less than 98% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 3-point or higher increase.

Additional Awards for Growth (Other Grade Levels)

Schools which qualified for a Gateway Growth or Achievement Award in 5^th or 8^th grade where the percentage of 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th, or 7^th grade students scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics increased according to the tiered growth criteria below:

• Schools with fewer than 50% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 15-point or higher increase compared to the 2022-23 Georgia Milestones assessment.

• Schools with at least 50, but less than 70% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 10-point or higher increase.

• Schools with at least 70, but less than 90% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 5-point or higher increase.

• Schools with at least 90, but less than 98% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 3-point or higher increase.

Georgia’s new K-12 Mathematics Standards were adopted in 2021 and first implemented in classrooms during the 2023-24 school year. Drafted by Georgia math teachers with input from educational leaders, parents, students, and business and industry leaders, the new standards are designed to be clear, understandable, and age- and developmentally appropriate. The results of the 2024-24 Georgia Milestones assessments were an early indicator of the success of the new standards, with students showing strong improvement in mathematics, with scores increasing on six of the seven tests.