Three Southwest Atlanta Schools Earn Title 1 Distinguished Schools Designation This Year

Three southwest Atlanta schools and one near west side school are among the thirteen APS traditional schools and charter schools to earn the Georgia Department of Education Title 1 Distinguished Schools designation.

Continental Colony Elementary School, Brown Middle School and Bunche Middle School all make the list this year. KIPP "WAYS" West Atlanta Young Scholars Academy at 80 Joseph Lowery, just north of the Cascade Patch area, also received the distinction.

A total of 824 Georgia schools earned the designation this year, based on their success in achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for at least three consecutive years, according to a news release from the district. AYP is a federal measure of academic achievement covering various categories of students, including those with disabilities and language challenges. 

Title 1 schools have significant populations of students who are economically disadvantaged and receive federal funding to assist with the education of their students.

All of the APS schools that received the Title 1 Distinguished Schools recognition this year are:

• Continental Colony Elementary School
• Burgess-Peterson Academy
• Bunche Middle School
• Brown Middle School
• South Atlanta Health and Medical Science High School
• The School of the Arts at Carver High School
• Rivers Elementary School
• Inman Middle School
• KIPP "WAYS" West Atlanta Young Scholars Academy
• Charles R. Drew Charter School
• Atlanta Charter Middle School
• Early College High School at Carver
• Sutton Middle School

“This stellar achievement clearly indicates that poverty is not a barrier to consistent academic performance that is sustainable over a number of years,” Superintendent Erroll B. Davis, Jr. said in a news release about the schools that made the list. “This recognition is a tribute to our students and our hard-working, dedicated principals, teachers and school-based staff for their success in spearheading this high level of achievement.”

“These schools are showing that high expectations, coupled with effective educators in the building, produce outstanding student achievement,” said State School Superintendent Dr. John D. Barge. “I’m very pleased to recognize the educators, students and parents in these schools and school districts.

Title 1 Distinguished Schools that have made AYP for three consecutive years are awarded a certificate, while those that have made AYP eight or more years receive a monetary award funded by federal revenues.