Two Hamilton County schools have moved into “good standing” after restructuring for eight years to meet “adequate yearly progress” requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

State officials said Monday morning that East Lake and Orchard Knob elementary schools should be celebrated for the achievement.

“It proves that it can be done, regardless of the circumstance,” said Department of Education Commissioner Timothy Webb.

Dr. Connie Smith, accountability director with the Tennessee Department of Education, said the schools had a data-driven approach to moving every child forward, which helped them improve.

A number of schools in the region still need improvement and are listed as “high priority,” which means they have missed the same benchmark for two or more consecutive years.

Schools and school districts are measured on whether the students meet performance benchmarks in math, reading and attendance for grades 3-8. High schools are judged on math, English and graduation rates.

In Hamilton County, Chattanooga Middle Museum Magnet, East Side Elementary School, Howard School of Academics and Technology, Lookout Valley Middle/High School, Ooltewah High School and Soddy-Daisy High School are listed as high priority schools, records released Monday morning show.

In Southeast Tennessee, Cleveland Middle School, Sequatchie County High School, Jasper Middle School, Marion County High School and South Pittsburg High School are high priority schools.

E-mail Chloé Morrison at cmorrison@timesfreepress.com.

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