Evidence of Success

Hart County Charter System

• FY21  Earned Cognia Accreditation with a 2020 Institution IEQ score of  339.03.  The Cognia Average is  278.34 – 283.33
• FY21  Earned Cognia Accreditation with 20 Out of 30 Standards labeled IMPACTING
• School Board Earned Exemplary board status 3 years in a row (2018-2020)
• FY19 the system renewed and updated their system charter with the state that allows for maximum flexibility when planning for student success. 
• Enhanced Strategic Planning Procedures to include input from all stakeholders through School Board initiated planning sessions. 
• Implemented procedures that resulted in a 95+ score on all outside evaluations of cleanliness of all facilities.  (ie. Evaluations from Athens Janitorial etc)
• 96.6% Graduation Rate for 2017 — No. 7 highest rate in the state of Georgia.
• 96.7% Average Daily Attendance Rate
• Our Elementary Schools scored 38.2 in Progress/Growth in FY2017. 40 is the highest possible score.  Our schools scored 2nd highest in our RESA District.
• Test scores have improved K-12 the last three years.
• Hartwell Elementary increased to 82.5 CCRPI score and earned the Governor’s Silver Award for Greatest Gains over 3 years.
• North Hart increased to 80.4 CCRPI score and was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Lighthouse School for FY2017.
• South Hart Elementary maintained growth scores in FY2017 and received a 5 STAR Climate Rating.
• Hart County Middle School’s CCRPI scores increased 6.5 points in one year.
• Increase support for teachers with the addition of Academic Coaches in all schools.
• College and Career Academy, Health and Wellness Center, and Agriscience Center facilities.
• Award of Distinction for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts the last 6 years.
• District won the 2016 National Crystal STAR Award of Excellence in Dropout Recovery, Intervention and Prevention.
• Attained the system’s first AdvancEd School System Accreditation in 2016.
• Implemented support for teachers and students through state of the art Instructional Technology in every school including infrastructure, software and hardware.  
• Enhanced safety measures in the classroom for teachers and students through Audio Enhancement emergency features.
• Maintained and updated all facilities.
• Maintained a state of the art Fine Arts Center.
• Provided support for a strong Leadership Development Program through Pioneer RESA and the Georgia Leadership for School Improvement.
• Implemented 7 Mindsets Character Ed and Soft Skills Program district wide.  “Mindset Mondays”
• Implemented Literacy Program K-12
• Renovated the football field and added a state of the art turf surface. 
• Updated the scoreboards at Herndon Stadium, Saye Field and the softball field. 
• Assisted the Lake Hartwell Touchdown Club with the addition of a Jumbotron video system. 

 

Hart County High School

• In March 2021, twenty-one students (9.375%) from the class of 2021 were accepted into the University of Georgia. 
• Class of 2020 earned 100% graduation rate among CTAE pathway completers. 
• Finalist for Greatschools.org College Success Award
• Chosen by GA DOE as a participant in the GRE4T Personalized Learning Initiative
• Slow Pitch Softball State Champion
• 3-time State Champion in TSA Video Game Design
• Focus of a case study by AASA due to graduation rate
• 95.1% 2018 graduation rate, top 10% in the state.
• Creation of Bulldog Time to address remediation and build relationships between students and teachers.
• Progressed from teaching two dual enrollment classes on campus to teaching 11 dual enrollment classes on campus.
• Started Academic Signing Day to recognize seniors that have been accepted to the school of their choice.
• Industry Signing Day for students in the HCCA that are working in local industries as apprentices.
• BARK (Bulldog Acts of Random Kindness) started as a club school wide to make a difference in our school and community. 
• Secretary of State Ambassadors will be holding a Voter Registration Drive for students 17 ½ and older as well as the community. 
• Greg Gaines, HCCA Instructor, named to the Georgia TSA (Technology Student Association) Board of Directors.
• Amanda Ayers’ Applied Design class designed the interior of the new Centerfield Coffee in Royston. 
• HCHS SGT presented to the BOE on changing the math curriculum to best fit the needs of our students utilizing our charter.
• HCHS Fishing Team started as another way to reach students.
• Video Production group winning Best High School story and Best High School overall at the Milledgeville Film Festival.
• Lexie Tallent participated in the Scout All American softball game in Albuquerque, NM.
• Principal Kevin Gaines named to the NASSP Student Advisory Council for a two year term.
• Ryan Bryant named to the State School Superintendent Advisory Council.
• Eli Scott, First Team All State AAA in Golf.
• Drew Zemaitis accepted to the Naval Academy. 
• Kevin Gaines, finalist for the GASSP Principal of the Year award.
• STEAM Forum--STEAM students showcase their internships/capstone projects
• Our students consistently earn over $1 million in scholarships each spring.
• JROTC Raiders have competed at the Georgia State Raider Meet and Drill Meet for the past 3 years.
• Supported by a grant, we’ve been able to take students to a variety of college campuses all over Georgia year after year for tours in order to broaden their interests in post-secondary education. This also gives those who may never be able to visit a college campus a chance to do so.
• Foreign Language/Fine Arts department has an extensive yearly travel program that includes places like Hawaii, New York City, and Europe to challenge our students to make the world their classroom, to become global citizens, and to perform for a broad audience.  
• TSA has had semi finalist/Finalist at the State Conference multiple years and have made Semifinals and Finals at TSA Nationals. 
• Cross Country Girls have been Region Champions and on the podium as 3rd and 4th for 3 years straight. Boys placed 2nd in Region and have been top 10 State.
• The baseball program has made the playoffs 5 years in a row.
• HCCA Construction student placed 1st at Region SKILLS competition in HVAC and then  placed 2nd at State
• Drafting student Julian Mills received a travel scholarship from Mike Rowe and the Lt. Gov. to help travel to SkillsUSA Nationals at Louisville, Ky.
• SkillsUSA drafting have competed every year at nationals since 2004. You must place first at state to qualify to compete at nationals. We had 6 teams placing in the top three places last year. Two were in first place.
• 1 of 17 high schools in Georgia to get the YouScience grant
• HCHS FFA has had 100% membership over the last 9 years. The 2016 HCHS FFA Livestock Judging Team was the first team from here to win a state CDE and compete in Indy at Nationals. In 2017, Ethan Cobb received the prestigious American Degree and Leanne Chafin will receive it as well this year in Indy. Many livestock exhibitors have been top-5 class winners as breed champions.

 

Hartwell Elementary

• 2020-2021 Eight additional classrooms built and complete renovation of existing building
• 2020-2021 Complete renovation of historic building
• Hartwell Elementary had three teachers awarded the Hart EMC grant for the 2020-2021 school year
• Hartwell Elementary has been a High Progress Reward School each year since 2016 meaning its students' academic growth is higher than 96% of schools in the state and similar to its district..
• Hartwell Elementary has been recognized as “Beating the Odds” from the state since 2017.
• Hart EMC grants have been awarded to 5 HES teachers for the 2018-2019 school year. 

 

North Hart Elementary 

 

• Hart EMC grants have been awarded to 3 NHES teachers for the 2018-2019 school year.
• North Hart received the Innovation Fund Tiny Grant from the Governor's Office of Student Achievement in 2017 for the creation of a storybook garden.
• North Hart Elementary has been recognized as “Beating the Odds” from the state since 2017.

 

South Hart Elementary 

• 2019 CCRPI score of 79.6. The highest score in the district.
• 5 STAR Climate Rating in 2018, 2019, and 2020
• 2021 First Robotic LEGO League Team - Robot Design 1st place at Regionals. 
• 2019 First Robotic LEGO League Team - Project Award Research and Robotic Performance at Qualifier and Innovative Solutions at Regional
• 2018 First Robotic LEGO League Team - Project Award at Qualifier and Project Presentation at Regionals
• Teachers have been awarded Hart EMC grants
• Teachers have funded seating and books in classrooms (e.g., Curl up and Read) through Donors Choose Projects
• South Hart Elementary maintained growth scores in FY2017 and received a 5 STAR Climate Rating.
• 1st Place at Future LegoLeague Georgia Super Regionals 
• Created System Rocket Challenge Day for all Three Elementary Schools

 

Hart County Middle School

• Implemented 7 Mindsets Character Ed
•       Increased CCRPI score for 2018 from 69.1 to 74.2. Increase of 12 points in 2 years.
•       Added Physical Science for HS credit to the 8th Grade Curriculum for ALL students
•       Incorporation of STEAM PBL learning paradigm, seeking certified program status
•       4 – Star School Climate rating
•       Nationally recognized TSA Program
•       Nationally recognized FFA Program
•       Live broadcast morning news show
•       Began HCMS Fishing Team
•       Viable PTO organization w/ regular meetings
•       Implemented Positive Behavior Incentives and Supports (PBIS)
•       Began horse therapy for At-Risk students with “Reins of Life”
•       Began educational project-based field trips to Hartwell Dam
•       Conference championships in basketball and football
•       Began Elementary School Parent Meetings with HCMS registration process