North Gwinnett News

A dozen schools from Gwinnett County have been recognized as 2023-24 Literacy Leaders by the Georgia Department of Education. The recognition was awarded to schools that have shown an increase in the percentage of students reading at or above their grade level.

The schools honored include Couch Middle School, Five Forks Middle School, Gwinnett Online Campus, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Harbins Elementary School, Level Creek Elementary School, North Gwinnett High School, North Gwinnett Middle School, Puckett’s Mill Elementary School, Riverside Elementary School, Roberts Elementary School, and Rosebud Elementary School.

“I am incredibly proud of the 12 schools honored as GaDOE Literacy Leaders,” stated Dr. Calvin J. Watts, Superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). “This recognition speaks to their dedication and the incredible work they do every day to foster a culture of literacy and empower our students to learn and grow. They are setting a powerful example of excellence and are making literacy a cornerstone of our students’ lives.”

The Literacy Leader award from GaDOE emphasizes the importance of grade-level reading skills particularly in grades three and six. It also considers performance on high school American Literature End-of-Course tests along with elementary and middle school assessments. These measures evaluate student reading comprehension and proficiency levels.

“We deeply appreciate our teachers and leaders who tirelessly support our students' literacy development,” said DeNelle West, GCPS Chief Learning Officer. “Their focus on improving literacy outcomes ensures our students have greater access and opportunities to support their college and career choices. The commitment to structured literacy and strengthening foundational teaching practices is truly commendable.”

These GCPS schools are part of a group of 324 institutions across Georgia that were recognized for their achievements in advancing student literacy.