Columbus, GA- The 2018 American College Test (ACT) composite and subject results for the Muscogee County School District mark the second highest set of scores for the District to date. In addition, the number of students tested in Muscogee County has increased year-to-date. The ACT is a college admissions test, administered by a non-profit organization, which measures English, Math, Reading, and Science academic readiness for college.

Muscogee County School District

ACT Reasoning Test

FIVE-YEAR TREND

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Total Tested	823	839	908	857	902
Number of students Enrolled (from FTE 1)	2011	2171	2083	2006	2061
Percentage of Students Tested	41%	39%	44%	43%	44%

“I am pleased with the increasing number of test-takers and the overall upward trend over time. However, we must continue to push students toward challenging coursework in order to prepare them for this and other important assessments as well as post-secondary readiness,” said Dr. David Lewis, Superintendent.

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

Columbus, GA—The Muscogee County School District was recently recognized, by State School Superintendent Richard Woods, as an Economic Development Partnership district. The program is implemented through the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) who announced Muscogee County as one of five partnership districts in the state, during its conference on September 21, 2018, in Savannah.

“We are so excited to receive the Economic Development Partnership District designation. It validates the work that our Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Department and others throughout the District have done to understand workforce development and build relationships with businesses that will ultimately enable our students to be prepared for careers,” said Victoria Thomas, CTAE Director.

In a recent release provided by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), Muscogee County Schools is one of the first districts in the state to receive this recognition; the other honorees are Whitfield County, Marietta City, Newton County, and Wayne County. All five districts were selected as pilot participants in 2017 and have now satisfied the necessary requirements to be named Economic Development Partnership districts.

The EDP program seeks to promote improved relationships between local school districts and business/industry. In participating school districts, district leaders complete economic development training courses and 100 percent of CTAE directors, CTAE teachers, and school counselors complete a business externship every five years. Participating districts also review local Career Pathway offerings for alignment to high-demand careers and must display evidence of business and community partnerships.

“For the benefit of our students and our state, it’s essential that we forge stronger connections between the educational system and industry,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Muscogee County Schools is doing an excellent job of working in partnership with their community to provide the best possible opportunities for students.”

“Under Dr. Lewis’ leadership, our District has learned that ‘schools cannot do it alone’ and the old model of education, where schools operate on islands without connection to the world of work, is antiquated. Our partnerships with Pratt & Whitney, TSYS, and W.C. Bradley, among others, are a testament to that. Additionally, District administrators have gotten more involved with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, leading to the development of the annual industry bus tour for educators and enhanced support for a college and career academy to be added,” said Thomas.

Photo (provided courtesy of the Georgia Department of Education) L-R: State School Superintendent Richard Woods, GEDA Chair Missy Kendrick, Georgia Department of Economic Development Regional Project Manager Anna Hurt, Muscogee County Schools CTAE Director Victoria Thomas, GEDA President Kevin Shea

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

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The Muscogee County high school football schedule has been adjusted due to the recent storm. Please note the following times:

Date	Home Team	Opponent	Location	Time
Friday, October 12	Shaw	Columbus	Memorial	7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 12	Jordan	Heard County	Kinnett	7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 12	Kendrick	Jackson	Jackson	7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 13	Americus	Northside	Americus	12:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 13	Callaway	Spencer	Callaway Stadium	12:00 p.m.

The following previously scheduled games for Saturday, October 13, are CANCELLED:

Carver vs. Westover @ Memorial

Dougherty vs. Hardaway @ Hugh Mills Stadium, Albany

Columbus, GA- The Muscogee County School District has announced that all District schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, October 11, 2018 due to inclement weather associated with Hurricane Michael.

This decision has been made based upon the most recent weather advisories provided to the District. The District will continue with the schedule for today, as previously outlined, with a one-hour early release for all students and staff. We will continue to monitor the weather for any further developments and to determine our schedule for reopening.

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

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Columbus, GA- In light of the recent weather pattern predictions, the District will observe a one-hour early release for all students and personnel tomorrow, October 10, 2018. All after-school activities and programs planned for tomorrow have been cancelled or postponed. This includes all school-based events, activities, and programs.

We monitor weather events closely to determine the appropriate action to ensure the standard of safety is considered the highest priority.

We will continue to monitor the weather patterns for Thursday, October 11, 2018. Any decisions regarding schedule adjustments or closures for Thursday will be announced tomorrow.

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

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Columbus, GA— In a release provided by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Secretary of Education, Besty DeVos, announced Britt David Magnet Academy as a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School. The program recognized 349 schools nationwide. Britt David is one of 13 schools in Georgia to be honored for the 2017-2018 school year.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is in its 36^th year and accepts nominations from top education officials in all states and territories. Up to 420 schools can be nominated each year. Recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Schools selected for recognition are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students over the past five years.

Britt David was honored as an “Exemplary High Performing School.”

“I'm pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students' accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. On November 7-8, 2018, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with 300 public and 49 private school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

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Columbus, GA- According to a recent release from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), the Muscogee County School District (MCSD) has increased its graduation rate to 88.9 percent, an increase of 1.1 points year-over-year, from 87.8 percent. This marks the fifth consecutive year of increase for the District, whose rate has increased by 2.8 percentage points over the last three years.

“We are very pleased with our district’s sustained improvement on this important performance metric, which continues to outpace both the state and national averages. We can attribute this achievement directly to our students’ commitment to a brighter future as full-option graduates as well as dedicated teachers, administrators, support staff, and families who encourage and support them in attaining this educational milestone,” said Dr. David Lewis, Superintendent, Muscogee County School District.

The Cohort Rate is calculated using the data from students who graduate from high school within four years as required by the U.S. Department of Education. It is also one of the indicators used in the calculation of the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).

In addition to the District-wide increase, schools continued to see improvements in their cohort rates.

• Six of the District’s high schools maintained or saw an increase in their cohort graduation rate: Early College, Hardaway, Jordan, Northside, Shaw, and Spencer.
• Four of the District’s high schools achieved graduation rates above 90 percent: Columbus, Early College, Hardaway, and Northside.
• Eight of the District’s high schools were above the State average: Carver, Columbus, Early College, Hardaway, Kendrick, Northside, Shaw, and Spencer.

“We are gratified by the positive trend for our district and we will remain focused on our ultimate goal of 100 percent of our students graduating on-time and prepared for post-secondary education, training, the workforce or military service,” said Lewis.



The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

Columbus, GA—Two District schools were recently designated as 2018-2020 National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Schools of Excellence. Georgetown Elementary and Reese Road Leadership Academy were announced as honorees by the National PTA in August, making them two of only eighteen schools in the state to be designated for this achievement. This year marked Georgetown Elementary’s second time being honored as a PTA School Excellence. Both schools were recognized during the Muscogee County School Board’s voting session on September 17, 2018 for their achievements. Each school displayed a certificate and banner as provided by the National PTA.

The National PTA School of Excellence is a recognition program that supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. In order to be considered for this designation, each school’s PTA and administrators must first enroll in a year-long program identifying and implementing an action plan for school improvement based on the PTA's National Standards for Family-School Partnerships.

Those that exhibit improvement are honored as National PTA Schools of Excellence, a distinction that spans two years. Honorees receive celebration tools and automatic consideration for the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award and a $2,000 grant for their school.

The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

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Columbus, GA— The Muscogee County School District is pleased to announce that Lyndsey Oliver and Christopher Porch of Columbus High School have been recognized by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions as recipients of the 2018 Yale Educator Award.

The program selected 59 teachers and 28 counselors, across the nation, out of 371 nominations received for this award. Nominations were submitted by students entering Yale’s Class of 2022. A committee of Yale admissions officers reviewed each nomination.

According to a release from the Yale Admissions Office, “the Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence.”

Oliver is an English teacher at Columbus High. Porch is a guidance director. They were both nominated by former student, Mary Chen.

“The Yale Admissions Office attributes the exceptional quality of the Yale student body to educators like these recipients of the 2018 Yale Educator Award, who shape their students long before they attend Yale. The Admissions Office is proud to thank these and all educators for their ongoing efforts in motivating and supporting their students.”