Twenty-six Henry County Schools Earn Recognition from Governor’s Office of Student Achievement

HENRY COUNTY, GA – The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) recently recognized a total of 26 Henry County Schools elementary, middle, and high schools for academic performance and growth.

As mandated by law, GOSA annually develops award criteria under the Single Statewide Accountability System and presents them for approval to the State Board of Education.

Ola High School was one of just five high schools in Georgia to receive this year’s Greatest Gains Platinum Award.

Additionally, a total of 26 schools, including Ola High, earned the state’s “Beating the Odds” designation, up from nine schools last year. They include:

• Austin Road Elementary School
• Austin Road Middle School
• Dutchtown Elementary School
• Dutchtown High School
• East Lake Elementary School
• Hampton High School
• Impact Academy High School
• Impact Academy Middle School
• Locust Grove Elementary School
• McDonough Middle School
• Mt. Carmel Elementary School
• New Hope Elementary School
• Oakland Elementary School
• Ola Elementary School
• Ola High School
• Pate’s Creek Elementary School
• Pleasant Grove Elementary School
• Rock Spring Elementary School
• Rocky Creek Elementary School
• Smith-Barnes Elementary School
• Timber Ridge Elementary School
• Union Grove High School
• Unity Grove Elementary School
• Walnut Creek Elementary School
• Wesley Lakes Elementary School
• Woodland High School

“We are proud to have 26 schools identified by GOSA as ‘Beating the Odds’ based on academic performance, as well as Ola High School honored for exceptional growth year over year,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “I am thankful for the commitment of our Board of Education in investing in the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of our community; the dedication of our teachers and staff to delivering on our vision to ensure a high-quality, world-class education; and the partnership of our families and community in building bright futures for every HCS student. With these recognitions by GOSA and 20 schools recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as Literacy and Math Leaders, we see mounting evidence that Henry County Schools is a district on the rise.”

The Greatest Gains Platinum Award was determined by calculating College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Progress scores from the three most recently available school years. Based on the three-year average, Ola High scored in the 99th percentile statewide.

“The Greatest Gains Platinum Award is a testament to the consistency, commitment, and instructional excellence of our teachers and students at Ola High School. While educational initiatives and priorities may change over time, the one constant at Ola has been, and always will be, our people,” Ola High School Principal Rod May said. “Our teachers know how to connect with students, challenge them academically, and create a culture where achievement continues to grow year after year. ‘We Are Ola’ is more than a slogan. It represents a shared commitment to relationships, pride, grit, traditions, and a belief that every student can succeed at high levels when surrounded by people who genuinely care about them. This recognition reflects the culture our staff and students have built together and the daily work they continue to put in to make Ola a special place.”

The “Beating the Odds” designation compares a school’s CCRPI performance against other Georgia schools with similar demographic characteristics. Schools that perform higher than demographically similar campuses receive this designation.