Seven Forsyth County schools were among 20 Georgia school chief Kathy Cox honored Wednesday for student test performance.
The local recipients of the inaugural Superintendent's Distinguished Achievement Awards included: Big Creek, Johns Creek and Sharon elementary schools; Riverwatch, South Forsyth and Vickery Creek middle schools; and South Forsyth High.
The awards are based on student performance on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests, the Georgia High School Graduation Tests and the End of Course Tests.
The honors went to schools with the highest achievement and greatest improvement on the tests.
Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Buster Evans commended the staff, students and parents at each of the award-winning schools.
Evans said in a statement that standardized tests scores are not the only measure of true achievement in a school system, but "we are proud of our schools' commitments to helping students earn their best possible scores on these important examinations,"
"I particularly applaud the staffs of these seven award-winning schools for these efforts," he said.
South Forsyth High won awards for end of course biology and geometry achievement. The elementary and middle schools were honored for CRCT performance.
Big Creek Elementary won for second-grade achievement in English/language arts and math, as well as fifth-grade achievement in math and science.
Sharon Elementary's first and fourth grades won for achievement in math, while second grade was honored for achievement in English/language arts.
Johns Creek Elementary was recognized for second-grade achievement in English/language arts.
Riverwatch Middle won for seventh-grade achievement in reading and math and sixth-grade achievement in English/language arts.
South Forsyth Middle was recognized for sixth-grade achievement in reading and English/language arts and eighth-grade achievement in reading.
Vickery Creek Middle's honor was for seventh-grade achievement in math.
To qualify, schools had to test at least 10 students. Only high schools were eligible for the end-of-course awards.
According to the state's announcement, 10 schools were chosen for achievement and 10 were chosen for improvement.
Along with the announcement, Cox congratulated the winning schools.
"It is so important to acknowledge the achievement and progress of our schools," she said. "These awards are just a token of our appreciation for the hard work that goes into teaching and supporting students every day."