The signs reading “Reward School” posted at Chickamauga Elementary and Chattanooga Valley Middle schools don’t just refer to the benefits of learning. They refer to the status of learning taking place at those schools.
Both were recently recognized as a “Reward School,” a designation given to the Title I schools with either the highest performance or the highest progress.
“This will be our third time in the last four years to receive Reward School status,” said Chickamauga Elementary principal Jeff Sikes. “We will receive $50,000 from the state of Georgia. We will spend it on technology. We will purchase 30 to 50 more tablets for students.”
Chattanooga Valley Middle principal Eugene Ward submitted a proposal to spend the money his school received on technology, including six laptop computers and 55 scientific calculators.
“We were given $7,000 to spend on things to help our students because we are a Title 1 school,” he said. “To be a Reward School means our students and staff have worked hard to keep CRCT scores well,” he explained, adding that next year, Georgia will switch from the CRCT to Milestones, which will feature more rigor and standards-based assessment.
Chickamauga Elementary School utilizes learning programs like Renaissance Learning online to keep students on track, said Sikes. The school allows five to six students to work on different things.
“We can meet them where they are at on their learning needs,” he said. “We have individual education and work on learning needs.
“Over four years we’ve received $150,000 for Reward School statuses. We are definitely very thankful. If there is a weakness in math, reading or both, then we work on it. We are constantly assessing students and getting feedback. We continue to push and challenge students.”