The Georgia Department of Education has named the 2012 Georgia Schools of Excellence of Student Achievement.

The Schools of Excellence are chosen from each Congressional District and are divided into two categories: the Highest Performing and the Highest Progress. The Highest Performing Schools represent the top performance schools within each Congressional District on the College and Career-Ready Performance Index. The Highest Progress Schools represent the school making the greatest gains within each Congressional District on the College and Career-Ready Performance Index.

Each school will receive a $1,000 reward. Sponsors of the program are Georgia Natural Gas and United Healthcare.

2012 GEORGIA SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE

Highest Performance

1. Esther F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing Arts, Chatham County

2. J. S. Pate Elementary, Crisp County

3. Centralhatchee Elementary, Heard County

4. R.D. Head Elementary, Gwinnett County

5. Oakhurst Elementary, Decatur City

6. Hembree Springs Elementary, Fulton County

7. Harris Elementary, Gwinnett County

8. Quail Run Elementary, Houston County

9. Towns County Middle, Towns County

10. Mulberry Elementary, Gwinnett County

11. Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, Marietta City

12. A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet, Richmond County

13. Elite Scholars Academy, Clayton County

14. Jones Elementary, Bremen City

Highest Progress

1. Center Elementary, Ware County

2. John Johnson Elementary, Decatur County

3. McIntosh High, Fayette County

4. DeKalb Early College Academy, DeKalb County

5. Kipp Strive Academy, Atlanta Public Schools

6. Garrison Mill Elementary, Cobb County

7. Big Creek Elementary, Forsyth County

8. Centerville Elementary, Houston County

9. World Language Academy, Hall County

10. Frank N. Osborne Middle, Gwinnett County

11. Kennesaw Charter, Cobb County

12. Broxton-Mary Hayes Elementary, Coffee County

13. King Springs Elementary, Cobb County

14. Trion Elementary, Trion City

For more information on the Georgia Schools of Excellence, please click HERE.