The Georgia Department of Education has recognized 11 Barrow County schools as 2025-26 John Hancock Award Schools, an honor given to institutions that demonstrate excellence in cursive instruction.

Congratulations to the following schools on being recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as recipients of the John Hancock Award. The John Hancock Award recognizes schools at two levels based on demonstrated student proficiency. Schools where at least 90% of students can write their names in cursive earn the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon. Schools where at least 90% of students can write both their names and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in cursive earn the John Hancock Banner and Ribbon of Distinction.

To demonstrate proficiency, schools submit representative samples of student cursive writing and attest that at least 90% of their students meet the requirements for the recognition level they seek.

John Hancock Proficiency Award

• Bethlehem Elementary School
• County Line Elementary School
• Holsenbeck Elementary School
• Statham Elementary School
• Westside Middle School
• Yargo Elementary School

John Hancock Ribbon of Distinction

• Auburn Elementary School
• Austin Road Elementary School
• Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy
• Bramlett Elementary School
• Kennedy Elementary School