Cumming, Toccoa schools receive national achievement honors

ATLANTA (AP) -- Eight Georgia schools - including one each in Cumming and Toccoa, have earned national recognition from the U.S. Department of Education for gains in academic achievement.<br /> <br /> Georgia Department of Education spokesman Matt Cardoza said in a statement Tuesday that the schools' academic performance improved because of students, teachers, education leaders and parents working together to improve student achievement.<br /> <br /> Georgia's Blue Ribbon schools are: Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers, DeKalb County; Medlock Bridge Elementary School, Fulton County; Lake Oconee Academy, Greene County; South Forsyth Middle School, Cumming; Centralhatchee Elementary School, Heard County; Elite Scholars Academy, Clayton County; Stallings Island Middle School, Columbia County; and Big A Elementary School, Toccoa.<br /> <br /> Cardoza says schools selected for the honor are nominated by the chief state school officer in each state and the U.S. Secretary of Education.<br /> <br /> (AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)