Chattooga County Schools have reported substantial academic progress across literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies for the 2024-2025 school year, building on several consecutive years of improvement at various grade levels, according to a recent press release from the school system.

The district’s focus on instructional strategies and student support has yielded positive outcomes, particularly in areas showing sustained growth.

In literacy, notable gains were observed in 3rd, 5th, 7th grade, and American Literature courses. Fifth-grade literacy rates saw an increase for the third consecutive year, while American Literature improved for the second straight year. While 4th and 6th-grade literacy rates experienced slight declines from 2023-2024, both remain above their 2022-2023 levels, indicating overall positive momentum.

“We celebrate these improvements but continue to work to improve literacy rates among all students,” said Robert Beach, Chief Academic Officer for Chattooga County Schools. “We will accomplish this by analyzing what led to success and making sure that those practices are happening districtwide.”

Mathematics continues to be an area of consistent strength for the district. The percentage of students scoring Proficient and Above has risen for three consecutive years in grades 6, 7, and 8. Grades 6 and 8 also saw consistent growth in students achieving Developing and Above for three years, while grade 7 improved in two of the past three years, with the remaining year within one percent of its previous performance. Grade 5 maintained its Proficient and Above rates while increasing Developing and Above performance for the third straight year. Grade 3 saw year-over-year growth in Proficient and Above scores while holding steady in Developing and Above.

The district’s overall percentage of all tested students scoring Proficient and Above, as well as Developing and Above, has also increased for the third consecutive year, reflecting broad-based improvement in mathematics.

“We were excited to see these continued improvements in year two of implementing the new state standards in mathematics and will continue to align our instructional strategies to meet the rigor of those standards,” Beach added.

A particular highlight in mathematics is the 6th grade, which achieved a High Growth Student Growth Percentile (SGP) more than double the state average. SGP, measured by the Georgia Student Growth Model (GSGM), assesses a student’s academic progress relative to peers with similar Milestones score histories statewide.

In science and social studies, the district reported improvements in 3 out of 5 tested areas for Proficient and Above scores, and 4 out of 5 for Developing and Above.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Helie reaffirmed the district’s ongoing commitment to student success. “Chattooga County Schools remains committed to analyzing instructional successes, sharing effective practices across schools, and ensuring that all students have access to rigorous and supportive learning environments,” she stated.

The sustained improvements across multiple subjects and grade levels underscore the Chattooga County School System’s dedication to academic excellence and continuous progress for its students.