School system, high school honored for excellence
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

The Burke County Public Schools are celebrating two recent accolades that put them among the best in the state.

The first honor came from U.S. News and World Report¸ which rated Burke County High School among the top in the nation based on research by School Evaluation Services, an education data research business.

The school was given a Bronze Medal after the research group found that BCHS students, especially economically and otherwise disadvantaged students, performed better in reading and math on standardized tests than the statewide average.

Only 19 other schools in Georgia made the list. The others from this area include Jenkins County High School (bronze medal), Screven County High School (bronze medal), Davidson Magnet School (gold medal) and A.R. Johnson Magnet School (silver medal).

The other mark of distinction came from the Georgia Council for Administrators of Special Education. The organization recognized the school system as a leader in the state for "outstanding efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities," according to a letter addressed to Superintendent Linda Bailey from Deputy State Superintendent Martha Reichrath.

Reichrath indicated that the award was based on data from the 2006-2007 school year that reflected the system's accomplishments in special education.