Malcom Bridge Elementary Earns Distinction as School of Excellence

For the fourth time in as many years, an Oconee County school has been named a Georgia School of Excellence. Malcom Bridge Elementary earned the distinction for 2010 in the “Top 10 percent in Student Achievement” category, the school system announced on Wednesday. 

The school is one of 22 across the state to be awarded, and only two schools from each congressional district receive the distinction each year based on specific criteria. The "Top 10%" category is measured by assessments in reading and math, a press release from the Georgia Department of Education stated.

"We know Malcom Bridge Elementary is a school of excellence in its own right, but to be recognized by the state is a great honor," said John Jackson, superintendent of Oconee County schools. "The real credit goes to the teachers and parents for all that they contribute."

Principal Andrea Roper said she was notified of the good news on Tuesday. 

"I am extremely proud of teachers, students, and parents for the hard work that takes place in the classroom," she said.

Roper attributes much of the school's success to a unique teaching model that has taken shape over the last five years.  She said educators have begun looking at students as individuals through formative assessments -- ongoing assessments with continuous observations and reviews -- to help students master concepts and skills.

"Teachers can assess a student's grasp of a concept and either move on to new material or provide a second or third opportunity for them to achieve," she said.

Jackson said Malcom Bridge Elementary is in the forefront of the school system in customizing instruction according to student needs.  For example, last year 100 percent of fifth graders passed the criterion-referenced competency tests in reading, math, and language arts, he said.

Technology also has played a pivotal role in engaging students, said Roper.  The implementation of SMART boards and individual student response "clickers" enable teachers to instantly -- and confidentially -- know which students correctly respond to questions and which need additional instruction, she said.

Student engagement has increased and discipline referrals  have decreased as a result, added Roper.

Along with bragging rights,  will receive a $1,000 check from Georgia National Gas. 

Lavonia Elementary School in Franklin County was the other school in the 10th district named a 2010 Georgia School of Excellence for the "Greatest Continuous Gains in Student Achievement"category, which reflects a continuous gain over three years in math and reading, according to the GDOE press release.

In 2007, Rocky Branch Elementary was named a School of Excellence for “Top 10 percent," the same year earned the distinction for "Greatest Gains," said Jackson.  Most recently, in 2009,  got the nod.