District Awards and Accolades

Awards for the 2016-2017 school year will be released during the 2017-2018 school year.

Eight middle school students have been named in the first cohort of Muscogee County School District's REACH Georgia Scholars Program totaling academic scholarships up to $80,000.00 for the next four years.

Scholars who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school are awarded the $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year) that can be used at any HOPE-eligible institution in Georgia. Eligible Georgia colleges and universities can match or double match the scholarship, which is in addition to any other grant or scholarship the student may receive.

Accolades for the 2016-2017 school year will be released during the 2017-2018 school year.

For the 2016-2017 school year, MCSD expanded the number of Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools from 26 to 38. All students who attend a CEP school eat breakfast and lunch at no charge.

The Junior Leadership Corps (JLC) Program initiated during the 2015-2016 school year was expanded to include two additional middle schools: Baker and Eddy.

Three Muscogee County School District students were chosen to serve on State School Superintendent Richards Woods 108 member state-wide Student Advisory Council. Members were selected from a pool of more than 800 students who applied to serve on the council.

More than 1,000 Georgia schools beat the odds in 2016, performing better than statistically expected on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).The following MCSD schools were recognized by the Georgia Department of Education.

Elementary Schools

• Allen Elementary
• Dawson Elementary
• Downtown Magnet Academy
• Eagle Ridge Academy
• Fox Elementary
• Gentian Elementary
• Georgetown Elementary
• Hannan Elementary
• Johnson Elementary
• Key Elementary
• Lonnie Jackson Academy
• Mathews Elementary
• Midland Academy
• North Columbus Elementary
• Reese Road Leadership Academy
• Rigdon Road Elementary
• River Road Elementary
• South Columbus Elementary
• St. Mary's Road Magnet Academy

• Aaron Cohn Middle
• Baker Middle
• Blackmon Road Middle
• Double Churches Middle
• Eddy Middle
• Fort Middle

• Carver High
• Columbus High
• Early College Academy
• Hardaway High
• Jordan High
• Kendrick High
• Northside High

The Division of Financial Services received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 30th consecutive year from the Government Finance Officer Association.

Six (6) students in Muscogee County School District (MCSD) are finalists for the 2016 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. The Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors. The program is hosted at Valdosta State University (VSU) in Valdosta, GA. There were 2,174 students nominated across the state, 1,679 semi-finalists were interviewed, and 653 finalists were chosen.

Six schools in the Muscogee County School District are named Highest Performing or Greatest Gains schools by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA). The awards are approved by GOSA and the State Board of Education as part of Georgia's Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) using data from multiple school years (2013-2014, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016). According to GOSA, the Highest Performing schools must earn a three-year average College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Achievement Score that ranks in at least the 93rd percentile. Greatest Gains schools must earn a three-year average CCRPI Progress Score that ranks in at least the 93rd percentile.

One hundred fifty-two (152) seniors from public and private schools were recognized as Academic Scholars for earning approximately $13,186,990.00 in academic scholarships.

Five (5) Stars (Excellent)

• Early College Academy

• Aaron Cohn Middle
• Blackmon Road Middle
• Carver High School
• Clubview Elementary
• Double Churches Elementary
• Double Churches Middle
• Fort Middle School
• Hardaway High
• Midland Middle
• Northside High
• Richards Middle
• Shaw High School
• Veterans Memorial Middle

English Language Arts

• Midland Academy- 1st Place (72%)
• Downtown Elementary- 2nd Place (70%)
• Dimon Elementary- 3rd Place (69%)
• Gentian Elementary- 3rd Place (69%)
• Hannan Elementary- 3rd Place (69%)
• North Columbus Elementary- 3rd Place (69%)
• Britt David Magnet Academy- 4th Place (68%)
• Forrest Road Elementary- 4th Place (68%)
• Fox Elementary- 5th Place (66%)
• Reese Road Leadership Academy- 5th Place (66%)

Mathematics

• Britt David Magnet Academy- 1st Place (82%)
• Midland Academy- 2nd Place (81%)
• Fox Elementary- 3rd Place (79%)
• Johnson Elementary- 4th Place (75%)
• Dimon Elementary- 5th Place (74%)

Social Studies

• River Road Elementary- 1st Place (90%)
• Britt David Magnet Academy- 2nd Place (88%)
• Johnson Elementary- 3rd Place (84%)
• Gentian Elementary- 4th Place (81%)
• St. Mary's Road Magnet Academy- 4th Place (81%)
• Lonnie Jackson Academy- 5th Place (80%)

Science

• Mathews Elementary- 1st Place (86%)
• River Road Elementary- 1st Place (86%)
• Britt David Magnet Academy- 2nd Place (85%)
• Midland Academy- 3rd Place (84%)
• Reese Road Leadership Academy- 4th Place (83%)
• Dawson Elementary- 5th Place (80%)
• Eagle Ridge Academy- 5th Place (80%)
• South Columbus Elementary- 5th Place (80%)

The following high schools demonstrated the highest percent of typical and high growth within MCSD on the 2016 Georgia Milestones Assessment in each respective subject area.

9th Grade Literature

• Early College Academy- 1st Place (87%)
• Shaw High- 2nd Place (71%)
• Columbus High- 3rd Place (69%)

American Literature

• Early College Academy- 1st Place (85%)
• Columbus High- 2nd Place (80%)
• Shaw High- 3rd Place (78%)

Algebra I

• Columbus High- 1st Place (85%)
• Kendrick High- 2nd Place (75%)
• Northside High- 2nd Place (75%)
• Hardaway High- 3rd Place (72%)

Analytic Geometry

• Columbus High- 1st Place (84%)
• Early College Academy- 2nd Place (74%)
• Northside High- 3rd Place (71%)

United States History

• Early College Academy- 1st Place (80%)
• Hardaway High- 1st Place (80%)
• Jordan High- 1st Place (80%)
• Kendrick High- 2nd Place (74%)
• Carver High- 3rd Place (69%)

Economics

• Jordan High- 1st Place (93%)
• Early College Academy- 2nd Place (79%)
• Columbus High- 3rd Place (67%)

Physical Science

• Jordan High- 1st Place (74%)
• Northside High- 2nd Place (73%)
• Shaw High- 3rd Place (68%)

Biology

• Early College Academy- 1st Place (93%)
• Carver High- 2nd Place (78%)
• Northside High- 3rd Place (75%)

The following middle schools demonstrated the highest percent of typical and high growth within MCSD on the 2016 Georgia Milestones Assessment in each respective subject area.

English Language Arts

• Aaron Cohn Middle- 1st Place (77%)
• Double Churches Middle- 2nd Place (70%)
• Eddy Middle- 3rd Place (68%)
• Fort Middle- 3rd Place (68%)

High School Algebra I

• East Columbus Academy- 1st Place (79%)
• Richards Middle- 2nd Place (75%)
• Eddy Middle- 3rd Place (74%)

Mathematics

• Aaron Cohn Middle- 1st Place (72%)
• Veterans Memorial Middle- 2nd Place (70%)
• Blackmon Road Middle- 3rd Place (67%)
• Double Churches Middle- 3rd Place (67%)

Social Studies

• Aaron Cohn Middle- 1st Place (77%)
• Blackmon Road Middle- 2nd Place (76%)
• Fort Middle- 2nd Place (76%)
• Double Churches Middle- 3rd Place (70%)

High School Physical Science

• Fort Middle- 1st Place (94%)
• Arnold Middle- 2nd Place (81%)
• Veterans Memorial Middle- 3rd Place (77%)

Science

• Fort Middle- 1st Place (77%)
• Aaron Cohn Middle- 2nd Place (76%)
• Double Churches Middle- 3rd Place (72%)
• Veterans Memorial Middle- 3rd Place (72%)

Over the past ten years, the 2016 American College Test (ACT) results (Composite and Subject) are the highest to date. In addition, the school district tested its highest percentage of high school students (44%).

An additional seventy (70) students enrolled at Catapult Academy after formerly dropping out of high school graduate and earn their standard high school diploma.

Additionally, seventeen (17) schools earn their highest CCRPI scores to date and the district reduced the number of schools scoring below a 60 from 16 to 13 schools.

The Muscogee County School District (MCSD) increased the percentage of students identified as Proficient and Distinguished Learners in twenty-two (22) of the Georgia Milestones assessed areas.

Likewise, MCSD decreased the percentage of students identified as Beginning Learners in twenty-three (23) areas and outperformed other second-tier city comparison districts (Bibb, Chatham, and Richmond) in 26 areas.

Aside from being an excellent transition program for middle school students desiring to enroll in high school JROTC, more importantly, parents of JLC cadets are reaping the same benefits as Junior ROTC parents – a child who learns the fundamentals of what it takes to become a responsible well-rounded, college or career-ready American citizen.

PBIS is expanded from eleven (11) to twenty-nine (29) schools throughout the school district. PBIS is an evidence-based data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase a school's sense of safety, improve school climate, and support improved academic outcomes for all students.

• Dawson Elementary School
• Downtown Magnet Academy
• Early College Academy
• Eddy Middle School
• JD Davis Elementary School
• Key Elementary School
• Midland Middle School
• Rothschild Leadership Academy
• Wesley Heights Elementary School
• Woodall Center

• Carver High School
• Double Churches Elementary
• East Columbus Magnet Academy
• Forrest Road Elementary
• Fox Elementary
• Georgetown Elementary
• Lonnie Jackson Academy
• Rigdon Road Elementary

The Muscogee County School District Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) results show the highest district scores to date. The district met the state average score for Math and is closing the gap with the state in critical areas like Reading and Writing scores.

In addition, a five-year trend comparison indicates increases that surpass the state and nation in all areas. The composite mean increased by 22 points over the last five-year period in comparison to the state increase of 7 points and national decrease of -14 during the same time period.

The MCSD met all State performance targets for Special Education students achieving a score of 100 out of 100 possible points.

Approval of the District’s five-year Strategic Waivers School System (SWSS/IE2) Partnership Contract by the State Board of Education. The contract is effective July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2022.

The Division of Financial Services received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 29th consecutive year from the Government Finance Officer Association.

The Division of Financial Services received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 23rd consecutive year from the Association of School Business Officials.

Ten (10) academically talented but economically disadvantaged fifth-grade students have been selected to receive a $7,500.00 college scholarship and a long-term mentor through a collaboration with the Columbus Scholars Project (CS) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Chattahoochee Valley (BBBSCV).

In collaboration with the Georgia Department of Education, Muscogee County School District was one of three school districts to receive funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is the agency in the United States Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.

The Georgia Project AWARE grant serves three primary purposes: (1) to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth; (2) to provide training for school personnel and other adults to detect and respond to mental health issues; and (3) to connect children, youth, and families who have behavioral health issues with appropriate services.

The grant totals $2,193,300.00 over a five-year period.

Fourteen (14) students in Muscogee County School District (MCSD) are finalists for the 2015 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. The Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors. The program is hosted at Valdosta State University (VSU) in Valdosta, GA. Approximately, 3000 students from across the state were nominated to the state level competition and nearly 2,000 of them participated as semifinalists in the interview and selection process. Of the semifinalists, 679 finalists were chosen.

Three schools in Muscogee County School District are named Highest Performing or Greatest Gains schools by the Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA). The awards are approved by GOSA and the State Board of Education as part of Georgia's Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) using data from multiple school years (2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015). According to GOSA, the Highest Performing schools must earn a three-year average College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Achievement Score that ranks in at least the 93rd percentile. Greatest Gains schools must earn a three-year average CCRPI Progress Score that ranks in at least the 93rd percentile.

• Greatest Gains Award- Bronze
• Highest Performing Award- Platinum

• Highest Performing Award- Silver

• Greatest Gains Award- Silver

One hundred fifty (150) seniors from private and public schools were recognized as Academic Scholars for earning approximately $12,900,000.00 in academic scholarships.

Five (5) Stars (Excellent)

• Britt David Magnet Academy

• Aaron Cohn Middle
• Arnold Middle
• Blackmon Road Middle
• Clubview Elementary
• Double Churches Elementary
• Double Churches Middle
• Early College Academy
• Eagle Ridge Academy
• Gentian Elementary
• Mathews Elementary
• Midland Academy
• North Columbus Elementary
• Northside High
• Richards Middle
• Shaw High
• Veterans Memorial Middle
• Wynnton Elementary

The following elementary schools demonstrated the highest percent of typical and high growth within MCSD on the 2015 Georgia Milestones Assessment in each respective subject area.

English Language Arts

• Reese Road Leadership Academy- 1st Place (82%)
• River Road Elementary- 2nd Place (73%)
• Britt David Magnet Academy- 3rd Place (71%)

Mathematics

• Johnson Elementary- 1st Place (87%)
• North Columbus Elementary- 2nd Place (84%)
• Britt David Magnet Academy- 2nd Place (84%)
• Lonnie Jackson Academy- 3rd Place (81%)
• Hannan Elementary- 3rd Place (81%)

Social Studies

• Gentian Elementary- 1st Place (79%)
• Dimon Elementary- 2nd Place (78%)
• Britt David Magnet Academy- 3rd Place (77%)

Science

• Reese Road Leadership Academy- 1st Place (81%)
• Dimon Elementary- 1st Place (81%)
• Key Elementary- 2nd Place (79%)
• Rigdon Road Elementary- 3rd Place (76%)

The following high schools demonstrated the highest percent of typical and high growth within MCSD on the 2015 Georgia Milestones Assessment in each respective subject area.

9th Grade Literature

• Early College Academy- 1st Place (83%)
• Northside High- 2nd Place (80%)
• Shaw High- 3rd Place (79%)

American Literature

• Kendrick High- 1st Place (82%)
• Northside High- 2nd Place (79%)
• Shaw High- 3rd Place (74%)
• Spencer High- 3rd Place (74%)

Coordinate Algebra

• Northside High- 1st Place (80%)
• Shaw High- 2nd Place (74%)
• Columbus High- 3rd Place (71%)
• Hardaway High- 3rd Place (71%)
• Jordan High- 3rd Place (71%)

Analytic Geometry

• Northside High- 1st Place (80%)
• Hardaway High- 2nd Place (71%)
• Jordan High- 3rd Place (67%)

United States History

• Early College Academy- 1st Place (89%)
• Columbus High- 2nd Place (87%)
• Northside High- 3rd Place (79%)

Economics

• Jordan High- 1st Place (93%)
• Northside High- 2nd Place (72%)
• Carver High- 3rd Place (70%)

Physical Science

• Northside High- 1st Place (77%)
• Carver High- 2nd Place (72%)
• Jordan High- 3rd Place (66%)

Biology

• Hardaway High- 1st Place (77%)
• Shaw High- 2nd Place (76%)
• Carver High- 3rd Place (72%)

The following middle schools demonstrated the highest percent of typical and high growth within MCSD on the 2015 Georgia Milestones Assessment in each respective subject area.

English Language Arts

• Double Churches Middle- 1st Place (76%)
• Aaron Cohn Middle- 2nd Place (75%)
• Blackmon Road Middle- 3rd Place (73%)

High School Coordinate Algebra

• Veterans Memorial Middle- 1st Place (87%)
• Baker Middle- 2nd Place (80%)
• Midland Middle- 3rd Place (67%)

Mathematics

• Blackmon Road Middle- 1st Place (83%)
• Veterans Memorial Middle- 2nd Place (77%)
• Aaron Cohn Middle- 3rd Place (70%)

Social Studies

• Blackmon Road Middle- 1st Place (77%)
• Aaron Cohn Middle- 2nd Place (74%)
• Double Churches Middle- 3rd Place (68%)
• East Columbus Magnet Academy- 3rd Place (68%)

High School Physical Science

• Veterans Memorial Middle- 1st Place (91%)
• Blackmon Road Middle- 2nd Place (88%)

Science

• Aaron Cohn Middle- 1st Place (80%)
• Blackmon Road Middle- 2nd Place (76%)
• Double Churches Middle- 3rd Place (73%)

Based on the average ACT composite results, six (6) of the nine (9) area high schools increased their scores from the 2014 results (Carver, Columbus, Early College, Jordan, Northside and Shaw); one school (Hardaway) remained the same. So, seven of the nine high schools or 78% remained the same or increased their scores from the 2014 results.

Seventeen schools earned their highest CCRPI scores to date (Britt David, Dimon, Georgetown, Gentian, Hannan, Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr., North Columbus, Rigdon Road, South Columbus, Wesley Heights, Aaron Cohn, Baker, Carver, Columbus High, Hardaway, and Northside). In addition, the high school performance surpassed the State average.

The graduation rate improved from 76.6% in 2014 to 84.6% in 2015, an 8.0% increase that surpasses the State rate by 5.6%. In addition, all student sub-groups (Black, Multi-Racial, White, Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Students with Disabilities, Economically Disadvantaged, and English Language Learners) all exceeded the State averages while decreasing performance gaps.

The Muscogee County School District adds a brand new school named Dorothy I. Height Elementary which opened its doors on August 7, 2014.

With the financial assistance of $19,200.00 from Georgia Appleseed, the Muscogee County School District initiates the expansion of PBIS from one (1) school, Double Churches Middle, to ten (10) additional schools across the district.

Cohort 1 Schools

• Arnold Magnet Academy
• Baker Middle School
• Brewer Elementary School
• Dimon Elementary Magnet Academy
• Kendrick High School
• Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
• Richards Middle School
• South Columbus Elementary School
• St. Mary’s Road Magnet Academy
• Wynnton Arts Academy

PBIS is a positive, preventative set of practices to manage behavior that includes:

• Creating rules & expectations that are consistently & fairly applied throughout all settings.
• Actively teaching the behaviors & routines in the same way as core academic subjects.
• Acknowledging & recognizing people for doing the RIGHT thing.
• Using discipline data on a regular basis to identify problems (locations, times of day, people involved, the specific problem behaviors, trends, etc.) in order to proactively prevent or correct.
• Identifying individuals or groups of individuals who have behavioral needs & providing evidence based interventions designed to address their NEEDS.
• Developing consistent & equitable discipline practices aimed at keeping students in school so learning can take place.
• Continuously evaluating whether consequences are effective & making changes when necessary.

Seven (7) of our nine (9) high schools achieved SAT composite point gains with six (6) schools attaining double-digit growth. The largest composite score gains were attained by our Priority Schools, Spencer and Jordan High, with 69 and 60 points, respectively. Also notable is Early College Academy with a 59-point composite gain.

On March 17, 2015, the voters passed a one-percent sales tax on all retail sales in Muscogee County. Each person who makes a retail purchase in the county contributes to SPLOST. The one-percent sales tax is in place for five-years with potential revenue earnings up to $192,185,000.00 which supports projects as outlined in the referendum for our public schools.

The Division of Financial Services received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 28th consecutive year from the Government Finance Officer Association.

The Division of Financial Services received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 22nd consecutive year from the Association of School Business Officials.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) can make a life or death difference for our students. As part of a continuous program to involve students in efforts to reduce injuries and death of young drivers, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has awarded a $2,000 highway safety grant to six (6) high schools in the Muscogee County School District (MCSD).

Grant Recipients

• Carver High School
• Early College Academy
• Hardaway High School
• Kendrick High School
• Northside High School
• A.I.M. Program

The Muscogee County School Board was recognized for its status as a 2014 GSBA Distinguished School Board.

Sixteen (16) students in Muscogee County School District (MCSD) are finalists for the 2014 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. The Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors. The program is hosted at Valdosta State University (VSU) in Valdosta, GA. Nearly 3,000 students from across the state were interviewed and auditioned over two weekends in January and February, 690 finalists were chosen.

Approximately one hundred fifty-two (152) seniors from public and private schools in Columbus were recognized as Academic Scholars for earning a grand total of $12,777,830.00 in academic scholarships.

Five (5) Stars (Excellent)

• Columbus High
• Double Churches Middle
• Key Elementary
• Midland Academy

• Aaron Cohn Middle
• Blackmon Road Middle
• Blanchard Elementary
• Britt David Magnet Academy
• Clubview Elementary
• Dimon Elementary
• Double Churches Elementary
• Eagle Ridge Academy
• Hannan Elementary
• Hardaway High
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary
• Mathews Elementary
• Muscogee Elementary
• North Columbus Elementary
• Reese Road Leadership Academy
• Shaw High School
• Veterans Memorial Middle
• Waddell Elementary

The Muscogee County School District launches a new initiative called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) at 28 schools across the district. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) provides an opportunity for schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) in high poverty areas to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. CEP was a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010. Rather than taking school meal applications to make individual eligibility determinations, schools that have adopted CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students participating in other need-based programs.

The Muscogee County School District (MCSD) is closing the academic achievement gap with the state as students continue to make overall gains.

• 67% (4 of 6) of the represented grade levels increased or maintained the percent of students passing the CRCT Reading tests as compared to 2013.
• 50% (3 of 6) of represented grade levels increased or remained the same in the percent of students passing the CRCT ELA test as compared to 2013.
• 50% (3 of 6) of the represented grade levels increased in the percent of students passing the CRCT Math test as compared to 2013.
  
• 50% (3 of 6) of the represented grade levels increased in the percent of students passing the CRCT Science test as compared to 2013.
  
• 83% (5 of 6) of the schools increased or remained the same in the percent of students passing the CRCT Social Studies test compared to 2013.

Comparing 2014 to 2013 CRCT data, math in grades 3 - 5 show an average increase of 5.3 percentage points and an overall average of 2.2 percentage points gain in grades 3 - 8. Reading, in grades 3 – 5, shows an average increase of 2.0 percentage points. Elementary schools show pass rates increased in 66.7% of content areas. Each gain closed the gap with the state. In all three grade levels at the elementary level, the number of students designated as Exceeding Expectations in math matched or outpaced the state, which narrows the achievement gap. When comparing 2014 performance to the 2013 results, the percent of 6 – 8 grade students exceeding the standard increased in 13 of the 15 content area assessments.

The graduation rate improved from 72.8% in 2013 to 76.6% in 2014, a 3.8% increase that surpassed the State rate by 4.1%.

The Muscogee County School District adds a brand new school named Aaron Cohn Middle which opened its doors on August 7, 2013.