Under the bright lights of the Pickens County Board of Education meeting, a sense of pride filled the room as members celebrated significant achievements within the district. Earlier this week, Hill City Elementary received a prestigious bronze award from the governor's office of student achievement, recognizing it as one of the top schools in Georgia for academic progress. With a CCRPI single score of 87.78 for 2024, Hill City was among only 46 schools statewide to earn this honor, showcasing its remarkable gains over the past three years.

The atmosphere was further charged with excitement as state superintendent Richard Woods visited Pickens High School to present achievement banners to both Harmony Elementary and Pickens High School. Harmony was honored with a literacy leader banner, while Pickens High School received a master's of mathematics banner, both reflecting the schools' impressive growth on the Georgia Milestones assessments.

In addition to these accolades, the board discussed the upcoming accreditation application submission to Cognia, an essential step in ensuring the district meets educational standards every six years. With the deadline approaching on April 24, the team expressed gratitude for the leadership of Dr. May and the teaching and learning team in navigating this important process.

As spring sports season winds down, the board extended best wishes to student-athletes and coaches as they prepare for playoffs. Upcoming events were also highlighted, including the Special Olympics at the high school, board training sessions, and a military enlistee ceremony, celebrating the commitment of students to serve their country.

With a focus on academic excellence and community engagement, the Pickens County Board of Education continues to foster an environment where students can thrive and achieve their fullest potential.