The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has recognized the School Leaders for the 2024-25 academic year. Among the John Hancock, Mathematics and Literacy School Leaders lists were nine of Barrow County's Schools.

• Austin Road Elementary – John Hancock Award
• Bethlehem Elementary - Mathematics: 5^th Grade Gateway Growth
• Bramlett Elementary - John Hancock Award
• Haymon-Morris Middle - Mathematics: 8^th Grade Gateway; High School Achievement
• Haymon-Morris Middle –  Literacy: 6^th Grade Gateway Growth; 8^th Grade Growth
• Holsenbeck Elementary - Litercy: 3^rd Grade Gateway Growth
• Holsenbeck Elementary – John Hancock Award
• Russell Middle - Math – High School Growth
• Statham Elementary School – John Hancock Award
• Winder Elementary - Mathematics: 5th Grade Gateway Growth
• Yargo Elementary – John Hancock Award

These recognitions are earned based on overall school improvement from the previous school year. The improvement data is based on the Georgia Milestone assessments.

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John Hancock Award School Criteria

This award celebrates elementary, middle, and high schools that go above and beyond in teaching cursive writing – a skill that builds fine motor strength, enhances literacy, and allows students to engage meaningfully with historical texts in their original form. As part of Georgia’s English Language Arts (ELA) standards, cursive writing plays a vital role in preparing students for academic success and lifelong learning.

Schools are recognized based on the cursive proficiency of their students. The schools where 90% of students can write their name in cursive receive the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon. Schools where 90% of students can write both their name and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in cursive are awarded the John Hancock Banner and Ribbon of Distinction.

To apply, schools submit a portfolio showcasing student outcomes of their cursive writing. During the 2024-2025 school year, more than 300 schools statewide applied for the award. As a result, 94 schools earned the Ribbon of Distinction, and 187 schools were recognized with the Proficiency Ribbon. Superintendent Woods began presenting banners to honorees before the end of the 2024-2025 school year, including four John Hancock Banner and Ribbon of Distinction recipients and five John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon honorees.

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Literacy Criteria

Gateway Achievement - Schools earned this award when the percentage of students reading at or above grade level was 90 percent or higher, based on the 2024-25 Georgia Milestone assessments.

Gateway Growth - Schools earned this award when the percentage of students reading at or above grade level increased according to the tiered growth criteria below:

• Schools with fewer than 50% of students in the identified grade or course reading at or above grade level needed a 15-point or higher increase compared to the 2023-24 Georgia Milestone assessment.
• Schools with at least 50 but less than 70% of students in the identified grade or course reading at or above grade level needed a 10-point or higher increase.
• Schools with at least 70 but less than 90% of students in the identified grade or course reading at or above grade level needed a 5-point or higher increase.
• Schools with at least 90 but less than 98% of students in the identified grade or course reading at or above grade level needed a 3-point or higher increase.

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Mathematics Criteria

Gateway Achievement - Schools earned this award when the percentage of fifth-grade, eighth-grade, or high-school students scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics was 90 percent or higher, based on the 2023-24 Georgia Milestones assessments.

Gateway Growth - Schools earned this award when the percentage of fifth-grade, eighth-grade, or high-school students scoring Proficient or Above in mathematics increased according to the tiered growth criteria below:

• Schools with fewer than 50% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or above in mathematics in 2024-25 needed a 15-point or higher increase compared to the 2023-24 Georgia Milestone assessment.
• Schools with at least 50 but less than 70% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 10-point or higher increase.
• Schools with at least 70 but less than 90% of students in the identified grade or course scoring Proficient or above in mathematics in 2023-24 needed a 5-point or higher increase.
• Schools with at least 90 but less than 98% of students in the identified grade or course reading at or above grade level needed a 3-point or higher increase.