There was a celebratory mood inside the Henry County Schools Boardroom for the Board of Education’s November meetings largely because of the number 11.  The double-digit number represents the marked improvement for the district’s overall score for the 2018-19 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score when compared to the previous year. 
 
In front of a full room of employees, community members, and students, board members heard of the remarkably quick growth that was accomplished by students due in part to the laser focus of teachers, administrators, and staff all across the district.  With the district improving from 66.0 on the CCRPI in 2018 to a 77.3 in 2019, Henry County Schools was the fastest-improving metro-area district.  
 
In one year, Henry County Schools moved nine spots, from 15th to 6th, out of a group of 18 school districts which includes the metro Atlanta and Griffin regions.  This jump in ranking in overall performance also put the district ahead of the state average overall for the first time in several years.  A closer examination of the data revealed that no other district in the region had a double-digit increase to their district score.  Additionally, nearly half of the schools in Henry County had double-digit gains, while 42 out of 50 improved their overall performance over that of the 2017-2018 school year.   
 
When looking at results for every district in the state, Henry County now sits only five points from the top-25 performing districts in the state. 
 
“What our school district has been able to accomplish in one year’s time is definitely something to celebrate,” said Board Chair Josh Hinton.  “There are very few districts in the state who can say they had a larger growth in one year than Henry County Schools, and our goal is to continue to perform at a high level in the years to come.  Our entire district worked hard to help our students achieve this latest milestone.” 
 
One of the main measurable components attributable to this year’s results can be found in the increases in the Closing Gaps.  This particular component focuses on measuring the extent to which all students and all student subgroups are meeting annual achievement improvement targets.  Each school has a different target based on the previous year’s performance.   
 
Our three school levels – elementary, middle, and high – had 69.7, 32.0, and 45.8-point increases, respectively, when compared against the last year’s student performance.  The increases meant that elementary schools for the district received a perfect 100 and high schools increased their score to 94.4.  All three levels were well above the state average scores in this component by double digits. 

While the board was receiving the good news, they were also being lauded for their stabilizing support of learning throughout the district.  Their accomplishments by way of adopting a plan of action led to improved student achievement in all corners of the district in 2019.  Included in the plan of action are two key components – an aligned system of teaching and learning and a framework for continuous improvement.  Both components were key in the district’s incredible turnaround.  The aligned system of teaching and learning provided instrumental supports such as the Henry County Teaching and Learning Standards, a balanced instructional framework, core resources, and instructional interventions. 
 
Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis recognizes the accomplishments are a direct reflection of the talented teachers and leaders in HCS and knows the role that this board played was vitally important to the many levels of success experienced this year, including Georgia Milestones, SAT, ACT, and graduation rates. 
 
“There is no doubt that our board of education has driven performance this year,” said Davis.  “The stability in their leadership and belief in the capability of children allowed for the purchase of much needed instructional resources for our teachers and leaders.  Additionally, their invested belief in the important role classroom teachers and district employees play is evident in how they govern this district.” 

In honor and recognition of everyone’s hard work, the board has issued a proclamation for the district and county which names Monday, December 9 as Celebrate Learning in Henry County Schools Day.  School officials are hoping that all Henry County residents, government officials, and businesses will recognize the day by celebrating the number 11 and wearing purple in support of Henry County Schools.  Everyone looking to celebrate the day on social media should use the hashtag #CelebrateLearningInHCS. 
 
For more information on Henry County Schools, visit www.henry.k12.ga.us.