The Georgia Department of Education released the Georgia Milestones Assessment System scores (GMAS) for the 2020-21 school year, and Carroll County schools outperformed the state average in many content areas in the percentage of students who were proficient or distinguished, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We commend our students and staff who demonstrated tremendous resilience and adaptability during unprecedented times. Our schools are committed to providing customized content and personalized instructional strategies to ensure student success,” stated Dr. Jessica Ainsworth, Assistant Superintendent of School Performance.
Carroll County elementary students outperformed the state in all tested subject areas, and some of the district’s elementary schools scored near the same percentage or higher than their previous year’s assessments in the number of proficient or distinguished learners. Middle school students performed higher than the state average in six out of eight content areas, and high school students scored above the state average in three out of four content areas.
“The standardized assessments are a very small portion of the overall evaluation of student success, especially when students and teachers have endured the challenges last year presented,” stated Scott Cowart, Superintendent of Carroll County School System. “The district has multiple initiatives in place to address learning loss from the pandemic, and our schools continue to find creative ways to challenge students to be future-focused and prepare for life after graduation. We are excited to have our students back on campus for another premier year in Carroll County.”
For the fourth consecutive year, Carroll County School System achieved a graduation rate above 90%, which is an increase of more than 30% since 2011. Carroll County ranks among the top in Georgia for the highest graduation rate in districts with multiple high schools. At the individual school level, Mount Zion High School had the highest graduation rate in the district for the sixth consecutive year with a rate of 97%.
Carroll County attributes academic success at all grade levels to the district’s emphasis on providing innovative learning practices and its priority of social emotional wellness. Carroll County is a leader in STEM education, integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into hands-on, real world experiences. To learn more about the Carroll County School System, visit carrollcountyschools.com.
