The Oconee County School system is proud to annouce eight schools have been named winners of the 2011 Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) Awards by the Governor's Office of Student Achievement.

According to a news release from Brook Whitmire, assistant superintendent for Human Resources, the awards are based on student performance on the Criterion- Referenced Competency Tests and the Georgia High School Graduation Test.

Platinum

North Oconee High

Oconee County Elementary 

To earn the platinum award, schools must achieve adequate yearly progress (AYP) as defined under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law for three or more consecutive years, and demonstrate that at least 35 percent of students exceed and at least 98 percent of students meet (or exceed) standards as measured by state assessments.

Gold

Rocky Branch Elementary

To earn this distinction, schools must achieve AYP for two or more consecutive years, and demonstrate that at least 30 percent of students exceed and at least 97 percent of students meet (or exceed) standards as measured by state assessments.

Silver

Oconee County High

To earn the silver award, schools must achieve AYP for two or more consecutive years and demonstrate that at least 25 percent of students exceed and 96 percent of students meet (or exceed) standards as measured by state assessments.

Bronze

Malcom Bridge Middle 

Colham Ferry

High Shoals

Malcom Bridge Elementary 

To earn the bronze award, schools must not be in “needs improvement” status under NCLB and demonstrate that at least 20 percent of students exceed and at least 95 percent of students meet (or exceed) standards as measured by state assessments.

Statewide, 370 schools are being honored.

Last year, five Oconee County schools earned SSAS awards. Read more.