Recognitions and Awards

MCS was recently named a Title I Distinguished District and awarded $50,000 for closing the achievement gap the most between economically disadvantaged students and students who are not economically disadvantaged. Burruss, Dunleith, Hickory Hills, Lockheed, Park Street, Sawyer Road, and West Side Elementary School were named 2009 Title I Distinguished Schools. These 7 schools are among the total 896 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools that have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at least 3 years in a row, and receive a monetary award paid from federal funds.

 

 

For the 2^nd year in a row, Marietta Center for Advanced Academics (MCAA) is among the winners of the State Superintendent's Distinguished Achievement Awards. The school earned 5 awards honoring the school for achievement and greatest improvement on state curriculum tests.

 

 

The Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA) recently presented MCS with 2 Gold Awards of Excellence at the 2009 GSPRA Annual Conference in Atlanta. MCS earned awards for the "What It Means to Be A Charter System" in the Marketing Campaign category (brochure and video), and the "Ask a Student" video in the Electronic Media category.

 

 

For the 4^th year running, the Board of Education has placed as a Top 10 Winner of the National School Board Association (NSBA) Digital School Districts Survey. This year, MCS tied for 10^th place, among medium-sized school districts, in the nation's 6th annual Digital School Districts Survey. The school board also successfully recertified compliance with Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Standards for Local Boards of Education and met the criteria for GSBA School Board of Distinction through Jan. 1, 2012.

 

 

² Choice Academies Application Deadline...  Interested Marietta City residents wishing to apply for the MCS Choice Academies program must submit all documents by Jan. 15, 2010.

 

Educational Partnerships

² Marietta Sixth Grade Academy (MSGA) was recently named the 2009 Outstanding Partners in Education program recipient for the district by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

 

² Marietta Reads! Partners With Mellow Mushroom 

Mellow Mushroom Kennesaw hosts Marietta Reads! Spirit Nights with a portion of proceeds to benefit Marietta Reads!  In 2010, Marietta Reads! Spirit Nights will be held Tuesday, Jan.12, Feb. 9, Mar. 9, Apr. 13, and May 11 from 3 p.m. to close. Mellow Mushroom Kennesaw is located at 1133 Chastain Road in Kennesaw.

 

Grants and Awards

The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) recently awarded a grant valued at $499,100 to MCS and the Marietta Police Department to install keyless entry and video surveillance systems at MSGA and Marietta Middle School, and to equip nine other schools with Visitor Management and Screening Systems.

 

Testing & Assessment News

² ITBS: MCS 4^th graders scored in the 50^th percentile in reading, on par with the national average, and scored above the national average in the 53^rd percentile in mathematics, on the fall 2009 administration of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). MCS 7^th grade students scored in the 43^rd percentile in reading, below the national average, and in the 49^th percentile in mathematics, slightly under the national average. The ITBS is a nationally norm-referenced test that provides useful diagnostic data to assist teachers in identifying areas of strength and weakness in areas tested.

 

² GHSWT: MCS 11^th graders increased their mean scale score (233) by 7 points over last year on the 2009 Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT). Marietta's mean scaled score of 233 is 12 points higher than the Georgia average of 221, and 10 points higher than the Atlanta metro score of 223. Of the 349 students taking the test, 96% either met or exceeded standards.

 

In closing, Thanks to our School Governance Teams (SGT) and the School Council at Sawyer Road for their work in soliciting input from parents and guardians, and district employees, regarding the 2010-2011 school calendar. Also, more details will be available soon about our new Strategic Plan. Happy 2010!