Gwinnett wins prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education: A validation of its strong superintendent
Congratulations to the teachers, students and administrators of Gwinnett schools. In a ceremony in New York, Gwinnett was just declared the nation’s top urban school system by the Broad Foundation, earning the district a million dollars in student scholarships and its controversial superintendent validation of his strong leadership style.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the award in front of an audience that included a large Gwinnett contingent.
In New York today, J. Alvin Wilbanks accepted the 2010 Broad Prize on behalf of Gwinnett schools from U.S. Ed Secetary Arne Duncan.
The Broad Prize for Urban Education honors the urban system that has the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing the achievement gap. It is the largest education prize in the country.
“This is a great trip to New York,” said Dr. Alvin Wilbanks, Gwinnett superintendent, thanking his board of education and his central staff. “Let me present to you the real heroes – the two people who make a real difference in the success of students, the teachers and principals. It is not us in the district office — you are the ones who carry out what we are supposed to do. We learned a long time ago that our mission is teaching and learning and that has caused a sea change in what we do.”
While I know that Wilbanks has his critics, I have to share a conversation I had last week with a former DOE official. He said that he dealt with the leadership teams of all the districts, and he understood why DeKalb and Atlanta had so many more problems that Gwinnett.
He said Wilbanks assembled a leadership team that was sharp, responsive and together, while the other two systems’ teams were disorganized and non-responsive.
When I need photos of top students or a statement, Gwinnett is the first to respond. From an outside point of view, Gwinnett is well run, efficient and responsive.
So, while Wilbanks may be demanding and, according to his critics, imperious, I have to offer that he is also effective in what matters most: Educating children.
So thought a jury that included former U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige, former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt and former U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros.
An 18-member review board selected the five finalists. Other finalists are Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, N.C., Montgomery County Public Schools, Md., Socorro Independent School District, El Paso, Texas, and Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, Texas.
Here are some of the statements in support of Gwinnett today:
Gov Perdue: “This national recognition for Gwinnett County Public Schools is well deserved. The school board, Superintendent. Wilbanks and the staff and faculty in Gwinnett have made student achievement their singular focus. Gwinnett was the first Georgia system to sign an IE2 contract, and the system is one of 26 participating in the state’s Race to the Top program. Gwinnett has consistently embraced innovative education policies, and today’s announcement of the Broad Prize award is a direct result of all the hard work put in over the years to raise student performance.”
State Superintendent Brad Bryant: “Congratulations to Superintendent Wilbanks and Gwinnett County Public Schools on receiving the 2010 Broad Prize for Urban Education. This award is a testament to Gwinnett’s commitment to provide every student with an opportunity for success. Gwinnett is a shining example of how high expectations can lead to outstanding student achievement. ”
GAE President Calvine Rollins. “On behalf of the Georgia Association of Educators, we wholeheartedly congratulate Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks and the teachers and education support professionals of Gwinnett County on receiving the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education. We especially congratulate our colleagues of the Gwinnett County Association of Educators for their hard work and dedication in ensuring their students receive the great public education to which they’re entitled.”
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173 comments Add your comment
The Producer
October 19th, 2010
3:16 pm
Ignorance knows no boundaries, urban or rural………
Fred
October 19th, 2010
3:20 pm
Texas,
I will agree,they could not learn anything at Gwinnett County Schools. When the teacher does not teach anything to the students, they will learn nothing. When they get challenged, they learn a lot. Gwinnett County schools are nothing more than government funded day care, so if they are the best, our education system is too far gone to save.
I stand by what I said, public schools are for losers, if you don’t care enough about your kids to get them in a school where they will actually learn something…..well if you cannot figure that out, I have made my point.
Allen
October 19th, 2010
3:27 pm
@Larry Major–
That’s not quite right. Some districts currently levy a millage rate in excess of the State’s constitutional cap. Other counties receiving benefit from the Equalization part of the funding formula have much lower millage rates. In other words, a $150,000 house in a “poor rural” county may be taxed at 15 mills, while a $150,000 house in a “rich urban” is taxed at 23 mills with the taxes from both going to the state’s general fund which then disburses the funds in favor of the “poor rural” counties. Gwinnett, winner of this prize for best “urban” school district, is classified as a “poor rural” county under Equalization.
It is contradictory to be urban and rural on alternating days, depending on how the money is being allocated.
From the Georgia Countil on Educatuion: “Because all counties are not created equal in terms of property tax wealth, they cannot raise the same amounts of money from local property taxes. The state provides additional funding to these counties according to a formula that compares the relative property tax wealth of all counties in the state.” The state, in case you missed it above, gets this money from the counties.
If you want to read the word “mill” until your eyes bleed, see here: http://www.georgiaeducation.org/documents/Basics%20of%20GA%20School%20Finance_2007.pdf
Let me clear–I don’t think this is what made the difference in Gwinnett–I’d say it’s a combination of more involved parents, a less (all things being relative) corrupt school board and administration than nearby counties, a smaller percent of the population being lower SES (I guess that’s not PC), and a greater local tax base. All of which are wonderful, and all of which imply Gwinnett is in no need of assistance from counties unfortunately lacking in those areas.
DeKalb Educated
October 19th, 2010
3:32 pm
@Fred. You may not like this post as well as you did my last post at 1:23 but I hope you will step back and examine what your wrote. Losers? All children who attend public schools are losers? I have a brother who sends all of his children to Westminster. It is a crown jewel of a school but who can afford $20K a year for one child? My brother and his wife are fortunate. They can. It would be great if every child could attend a Westminster. I think public schools would do well to model their curriculum after outstanding schools – public or private. No child is a loser and no parent is a loser who encourages a child to read, excel in their academic performance and become honest and compassionate adults. My three sons went to Lakeside High. They have all done well. They are giving back to their communities. I see other graduates from Lakeside doing well, raising families, paying taxes, leading by example. One of our first Iraqi war dead was a Lakeside grad – Jamal Anderson. Was he a loser? Let’s not make this about class warfare. Let’s celebrate when schools excel. Let’s elect members to our school boards that will have vision and integrity. I think the people running to unseat most of the incumbents in DeKalb could help raise our students above the abysmal level where they currently sit. I hate that we can’t have someone better qualified than Ella Smith to unseat Dr. Walker. District 9 has little choice and that is sad. The other school board district elections have some viable candidates. On November 2nd, I will look to the voters to makes some necessary changes so we may one day celebrate DeKalb’s return to academic excellence.
King of Stone Mountain
October 19th, 2010
3:37 pm
Agree with Zoe…Gwinnett is far from “urban”, but a tip of the cap regardless. Almost every year, the entire state ranks poorly whenever measured against the lower 48. Refreshing to know that certain districts are managing quite well… Would be nice to follow suit in DeKalb, for a change.
EduKtr
October 19th, 2010
3:38 pm
The teachers’ union (Georgia Association of Educators) must be gratified that Ms. Downey has allowed them so lengthy and utterly gratuitous a plug for their local Gwinnett chapter. I wonder if Downey has seen the new film WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, by the way, and taken in what it has to say about that union’s parent body?
Maureen? You there …?
The Producer
October 19th, 2010
3:39 pm
DeKalb Educated,
Nice job on Mr. Freddie………
Texas Pete
October 19th, 2010
3:41 pm
I wonder what Fred does for a living. Has Fred ever been in a position to hire someone? If so, has Fred ever hired someone who attended a public school? I’m sure Fred would say “only for the custodial or cook staff.”
Saint simon
October 19th, 2010
3:46 pm
We need to stand up for our white kids!!!
Maureen Downey
October 19th, 2010
3:48 pm
@Eduktr, I am adding any formal congrats that come my way as I think this is a time for celebration for the system. As for the film’s portrayal of unions, I think this is a fair response to what was left on the cutting room floor.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/education/16teacher.html?hpw
Maureen
PS: Just added a comment from Perdue.
Fred
October 19th, 2010
3:50 pm
Dekalb,
Let’s see what’s wrong with your post,
1 – Private schools do not have to cost $20k per year, many are much less expensive. The ones that cost that much are Ego Schools for the parents.
2 – If your Brother can afford it, its because he made the decisions to put himself in the position to afford it. Unless he bought the winning lottery ticket, he was not “Fortunate”.
3 – You assumed class warfare here, WRONG!! We drove junk cars, did not take vacations, etc, etc to afford private schools, so let’s not even go down that road.
4 – No, not ALL kids in Public schools are looser, just like not ALL kids in private schools will be winners.
BUT, you hit a point that we can agree on. YOU, the parent, are responsible for your kids education. I applaud you for being involved and helping your kids learn. They are going to be winners in life because of YOU, the school had very little to do with it. When more parents take their responsibility of being a parent serious, the schools won’t have a choice of getting better. Voting out the losers on the school board as well is a great first step!!
Susan Little Buice
October 19th, 2010
3:51 pm
Congratulations to every member of the Gwinnett County School District Team! Office Staff, Support behind the scenes, teachers, counselors, coaches, principles, and the bus drivers that wait to move until he has safely signaled for the kids walking if front of the bus to cross the street!! All of you make a difference and you are so very much appreciated!
Congrats Again!! So proud my kids are students in Gwinnett!!
Fred
October 19th, 2010
3:52 pm
Of course I have Texas, I have your application here…..just kidding.
Texas Pete
October 19th, 2010
3:58 pm
Fred,
At 2:28 PM you said “If you put your kids in Public Schools, ANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, you are raising a looser!!!!!”
At 3:20 PM you said “I stand by what I said, public schools are for losers, if you don’t care enough about your kids to get them in a school where they will actually learn something…..well if you cannot figure that out, I have made my point.”
I already pointed out earlier in this blog that the responsibility of learning falls on the parents and students regardless of public or private education. Why the change of heart? Have you seen the light?
There’s no point in debating public vs private. Private schools can decide who they let it, who they keep in, and the typical parent pays out so much money that they are generally going to take more interest in what is going on with their children than the typical public school parent. It’s not even the same playing field.
Mr. Teacher
October 19th, 2010
4:03 pm
It’s easy to be on the outside looking in and making judgements based on the surface. First of all, I come from another urban school district outside of Georgia. I have had the chance to experience what it’s like to teach in a loosely organized and disfunctional school district and Gwinnett is exactly the opposite. This county is very well run, high levels of collaboration is built into how we operate daily, highly diverse (at least at the high school where I teach) and growing.
I am an African American male teacher and realizes that the buck stops with me, the teacher. I want my students to succeed and if they don’t, I ask why and how can I do it better next time. I have the opportunity to walk into my class daily and see the changing face of America. My students are approximately 40% hispanic, 15% white, 35% Black and 10% Asian/other. My students parents aren’t always very involved, over 70% of our students are on free/reduced lunch, there are pockets of teachers with low morale around me, we have our share of discipline problems, there are gangs present, our administrators are diverse, our students are diverse and our teachers are diverse and yes there are days that I don’t feel like coming to work. But each year over 75% my students excel on state tests and go on to college or some form of higher education. So you may ask, what’s the difference between Gwinnett and many other counties? I don’t know what other school districts are doing but, I do know that Gwinnett focuses on collaboration, new teacher development, setting high standards in all areas of curriculum (AKS), making data driven decisions, hiring qualified teachers, exploring new outreach programs such as the county wide male mentoring program that pulls mentors from local churches and the local community, etc.
Gwinnett, isn’t perfect, but at least they have a clear vision and backs it up with appropriate action to meet the needs of it’s growing diverse population of students. In the end, we must ask ourselves; What’s best for our students. When decisions are made based on the student’s best interest, usually high levels of achievement follows.
Fred
October 19th, 2010
4:04 pm
Texas,
This is the problem of debating on a blog. After reading your earlier posts that I did not see, you may be shocked to realize that you and I and not as far apart on this subject as you may think.
As far as my ALL comments, what fun is a debate if you cannot “Stir The Pudding” a bit…..
Fred (the original!)
October 19th, 2010
4:05 pm
If your kid is willing to put the effort out and you as a parent are willing to stay involved, public schools are a good thing, at least in Gwinnett. I think it is important to be a part of a school community that reflects the real world demographics, not one that is full of the same socio-economic members. I do recognize that there are poorer performing schools in Gwinnett and that people have had a bad experience with some of those schools. To paint the entire system with the same broad brush is both unfair and unrealistic. There are pockets of excellence and pockets of mediocrity. We need to increase the former and decrease the later.
As to Gwinnett being considered “urban”, let’s look at some population figures and school attendance figures courtesy of the Census Bureau, the State Board of Education, and the various school system web sites.
Population Children attending school
State – 9,829,211 – 1,615,066
Fulton Co – 1,033,756 – 92,000
Gwinnett Co – 808,167 – 161,000
Cobb Co – 714,692 – 106,000
Dekalb Co – 747,274 – 102,000
Atlanta – 540,900 – 45,500
Gwinnett is the largest school system by far in the state. Fully 10% of the State’s students attend Gwinnett. As the second most populous county Gwinnett has approximately 8.2% of the State’s population. Given these stats, it is easy to see how Gwinnett is considered “urban” even though most of us think of the City of Atlanta as urban. When you add in the demographics of the population and consider that over 50% of the Gwinnett student population is on the free or reduced price breakfast/lunch program, I think it is easy to understand the urban classification.
old times
October 19th, 2010
4:10 pm
Isn’t it interesting to read the negativity that oozes from the disgruntled, the elitists, and the envious. I agree with Maureen, who in her time has written some very pointed articles about GCPS; they continue to work hard to improve the learning experience for all their students so let them celebrate their accomplishment without trying to tear it down. If you want to improve our overall educational process become involved wherever you have a child enrolled; positive involvement is always appreciated and welcomed.
aps
October 19th, 2010
4:17 pm
This is the same superintendent that last year laid off many of his so called beloved teachers leaving marks on their records so they are unable to find teaching work again.
Fred (the original!)
October 19th, 2010
4:30 pm
Ok, I lied.
I went to look for the latest on the free and reduced lunch program and it turns out that 49.89% of Gwinnett students are recipients. See http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcsnp.nsf/078DB7EB94960528852576810053FF37/$file/FREE_REDUCED_ZONED_Percentage.pdf for the schools and percentages. It will probably surprise you which schools have large percentages.
As to the performance of the schools and system, I agree with several posters that it comes down to parental involvement. There are so many parents that choose not to be involved and then complain. I don’t know what has happened to personal accountability both at the parental and student level but that is a discussion probably best left for another time. I have seen some real losers in private schools (relatives included!) and stellar students in public schools. While there is no true predictor as even some involved parents have kids that fail, involvement as a whole tends to work.
Susan Little Buice
October 19th, 2010
4:31 pm
Be positive Georgia! Negative comments are ridiculous! It takes alot of work to get here!
Maybe all of you negative folks should go to your schools this afternoon and see how you can volunteer!
Dana @ MCPS (not GaDOE)
October 19th, 2010
4:47 pm
Hi everyone. Folks here at Montgomery County Public Schools are disappointed we didn’t win, but we are all very excited for everyone at Gwinnett County Public Schools. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to compete for the Broad next year. Meanwhile, I hope all the Gwinnettians enjoy their day! Congratulations.
David Sims
October 19th, 2010
5:20 pm
One of the things I’ve heard Gwinnett schools praised for is narrowing the racial gaps for academic achievement. This, for example, from Atlanta Magazine, January 2007:
“The county was recently recognized by Standard & Poor’s for narrowing the achievement gaps between black and white, economically disadvantages and non-disadvantaged, and Hispanic and white students.”
Well, pardon me, but it does not seem to me that this is enough information to trigger praise. There are two ways to narrow an achievement gap, and raising the performance of the undergroup is only one of them. How do we know that the test scores of white and Asian students haven’t been falling, instead?
Winning the Broad Award doesn’t mean that Gwinnett is the best school system in the country, or even in the State of Georgia. Remember, only the BIGGEST school systems are eligible for the prize. The little ones aren’t in the running, no matter how good they might be. And until I see the judging criteria, I’m not going to conclude on whether they are objective and non-political. If they’re getting points for “narrowing the racial gaps,” without someone being very sure that this was done by raising the low side (and not by lowering the high side), then there’s a political element in the judging. If they’re getting points for “diversity,” then there is a political element in the judging.
Leftist (il)logic can be confusing to someone who believes that leftists actually mean what they say, that their intentions are what they claim them to be. If race doesn’t matter, then why bother to raise objections when a school isn’t racially diverse? If leftists really believed their equality dogma, no arrangement of human beings would be any more or less objectionable than any other arrangement, regardless of how much or how little diversity there were.
Melanie
October 19th, 2010
5:26 pm
It is interesting to me that some find it necessary to criticize Gwinnett’s recognition from the Broad Foundation. One million dollars in scholarship money will be awarded to numerous well-deserving Gwinnett students. Truly, isn’t this incredibly positive?
In Gwinnett, we say that we have two types of employees. We have those who teach and those who support teaching and learning. I fall in the category of those who support teaching and learning, and I am proud to serve students, parents, and staff in Gwinnett County Public Schools each day. Even after nearly 20 years as an educator, I am awed each day by the amazing things our teachers and students accomplish together. I am proud of my school, school system, central office staff, superintendent, and Board of Education!
catlady
October 19th, 2010
5:26 pm
I am thrilled with the effect the contribution of my poor (70% Free lunch) county has made to Gwinnett County schools by the millions that are taken from our property taxes to give to the “poor” systems like Gwinnett from the Fair Share Program (what a misnomer!)! Alvin, do you think you could send us some of our tax money back so we can pay for the basics for our kids?
This is a serious question.
Larry Major
October 19th, 2010
5:28 pm
Allen,
Perhaps you’ve come across the point where this is getting confused.
The tax rates you mentioned are for local school taxes. These don’t go into the state’s General Fund; they stay with the local school with no appropriation process. Districts who tax themselves at a higher rate keep all of it.
Equalization is funded from standard state revenue streams like personal and corporate income tax, sales tax etc.
Joya
October 19th, 2010
5:34 pm
YEAH Gwinnett County! WOOT WOOT!
KIM
October 19th, 2010
5:42 pm
Art, I am sorry for you. Nothing gets dander up like comparing public vs private ed. Perhaps private ed can find a benefactor to challenge and reward excellence like public ed has found with the Broad Foundation. My children graduated from Brookwood, a school with graduates at every Ivy League school, at the best public and private colleges and universities, at all the Academies…and has so since its opening in the early 80s. Additionally the Brookwood students are exposed to extraordinary excellence in music, art, dance, foreign languages, leadership, atheletics,as well as the finest in business application. Math, science, English, AP classes and scores….they are among the top performing content areas and/or exceed compared to all schools. Look at the awards which are endless. Way to go GCPS!!!
Mighty Fine
October 19th, 2010
5:50 pm
For Gwinnett to be the largest district in the state and still be able to turn out numbers that best their counterparts I’d say good deal and good job! The KIDS win here, say what you want about the system but a cool million will be going towards some lucky kids’ college education. And that, is AWESOME.
Mighty Fine
October 19th, 2010
5:54 pm
No need to back peddle now, Fred.
It would be safe to assume that YOUR kids are losers, too. After all, at some point they were in GCPS, right? Tsk…
KIM
October 19th, 2010
5:58 pm
I feel for special needs parents and students. One of our family members is on the autism spectrum. However, I keep in mind that no one has to teach special ed. It is a gift to us that some do. The parents of special needs children need to remember that being difficult and constantly criticizing schools for doing their best with challenging children will never work. Work with your school people. REmember: no one has to do this saintly work. Otherwise you could put your children in any/all private schools with vouchers…
KIM
October 19th, 2010
5:59 pm
Mighty Fine: I don’t think your name is accurate.
Mighty Fine
October 19th, 2010
5:59 pm
So now we’re telling the foundation who and where to give their $$$$$. the hypocrisy in this is astounding!
Mighty Fine
October 19th, 2010
6:00 pm
@KIM: how, pray tell, did you arrive at such a conclusion about a faceless screen name on the internet?
Melanie
October 19th, 2010
6:16 pm
David Sims,
I would encourage you to look at GCPS’s student achievement data over the past five years. We do not just close the achievement gap. We close it high.
Grizz
October 19th, 2010
6:18 pm
What I haven’t seen mentioned in all of the posts is that Gwinnett is a majority-minority school district. The elementary school our daughters attended looks like a little UN right now, with kids from about every continent except Antarctia. Many of them arrive with limited or no knowledge of English, not to mention formal education, yet not only has the Gwinnett system coped, they have excelled at it. Yes, there are problems, and the economy certainly hasn’t helped, but with community support, parents who believe in educating their kids and work hard at it, a solid school board, and excellent leadership, Gwinnett has thrived. And it’s only getting better. To all you naysayers, I have only one comment – TTHHHHHHHBBBBBBBBBBTTTTTTTTT.
GwinnettEmployee
October 19th, 2010
7:16 pm
Since when did Wilbanks become a Dr? This is about the third year Gwinnett has been up for this award…it is about time. i wonder how many teachers went on the all expenses paid trip to accept the prize!
Peggy
October 19th, 2010
7:17 pm
Great job Gwinnett County! Now all the haters can now shut up. Gwinnett is still great and I’m so glad I moved from Cobb County. We have great entertainment, arts, dining, sports and of course, great schools! Good job Gwinnett County educators. The parents are proud of you!!!!
Vince
October 19th, 2010
7:22 pm
Enter your comments here
Vince
October 19th, 2010
7:23 pm
Well done and well deserved!
Vince
October 19th, 2010
7:27 pm
I would stack our Gwinnett schools up against the finest schools in the state…public, private, urban or rural.
Great schools……great parks……great libraries…..great entertainment….great place to call home.
Teacher of Gwinnett
October 19th, 2010
7:27 pm
Congratulations, GCPS! Well deserved!!!!!
David Sims
October 19th, 2010
8:01 pm
Gwinnett County Schools.
Spending per pupil: $8859.
63% instructional, 7% student/staff support, 15% administration, 15% other.
Showing data for some of the county’s public high school’s.
Brookwood High School
1255 Dogwood Rd – Snellville, GA 30078
Grades 9-12
3385 students: 63% white, 15% black, 13% Asian, 6% Hispanic
Greatschools rating: 10
2009 SAT average score: 1625
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
Hispanic 90% (something strange here)
White 78%
Asian 77% (something strange here)
Black 69%
Biology.
Asian 96%
White 93%
Black 74%
Hispanic 64%
U.S. History.
White 92%
Asian 87%
Black 76%
Hispanic 60%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
Asian 97%
White 96%
Black 84%
Hispanic 84%
American Literature.
White 97%
Black 93%
Asian 92%
Hispanic 79%
Economics.
White 93%
Asian 87%
Black 78%
Hispanic 56%
Geometry.
Asian 92%
White 89%
Black 79%
Hispanic 70%
North Gwinnett High School
20 Level Creek Rd – Suwanee, GA 30024
Grades 9-12
3077 students: 58% white, 15% Asian, 12% black, 12% Hispanic
Greatschools rating: 9
2009 SAT average score: 1573
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
Asian 85%
White 73%
Black 63%
Hispanic 60%
Biology.
White 91%
Asian 82%
Black 79%
Hispanic 62%
U.S. History.
White 87%
Asian 78%
Black 71%
Hispanic 62%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
White 95%
Asian 91%
Black 83%
Hispanic 75%
American Literature.
White 98%
Asian 95%
Black 90%
Hispanic 80%
Economics.
White 94%
Asian 90%
Black 75%
Hispanic 69%
Geometry.
Asian 92%
White 88%
Black 70%
Hispanic 68%
Duluth High School
3737 Brock Rd – Duluth, GA 30096
Grades 9-12
2208 students: 33% white, 26% Asian, 19% black, 19% Hispanic
Greatschools rating: 10
2009 SAT average score: 1568
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
White 70%
Asian 64%
Hispanic 50%
Black 45%
Biology.
White 90%
Asian 78%
Black 64%
Hispanic 56%
U.S. History.
White 82%
Asian 75%
Black 60%
Hispanic 48%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
Asian 96%
White 93%
Black 80%
Hispanic 73%
American Literature.
White 94%
Black 87%
Asian 83%
Hispanic 80%
Economics.
White 90%
Asian 80%
Hispanic 58%
Black 53%
Geometry.
White 90%
Asian 86%
Black 72%
Hispanic 47%
Peachtree Ridge High School
1555 Old Peachtree Rd NW – Suwanee, GA 30024
Grades 9-12
3071 students: 44% white, 24% Asian, 19% black, 11% Hispanic
Greatschools rating: 9
2009 SAT average score: 1553
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
White 81%
Asian 81%
Black 60%
Hispanic 52%
Biology.
White 87%
Asian 78%
Black 59%
Hispanic 54%
U.S. History.
White 83%
Asian 66%
Black 59%
Hispanic 49%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
White 95%
Asian 89%
Black 83%
Hispanic 78%
American Literature.
White 98%
Black 93%
Asian 92%
Hispanic 73%
Economics.
White 84%
Asian 80%
Black 60%
Hispanic 49%
Geometry.
Asian 89%
White 88%
Hispanic 77%
Black 70%
Collins Hill High School
50 Taylor Rd – Suwanee, GA 30024
Grades 9-12
3556 students: 55% white, 19% black, 13% Hispanic, 10% Asian
Greatschools rating: 9
2009 SAT average score: 1529
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
White 88%
Asian 86%
Hispanic 73%
Black 71%
Biology.
White 88%
Asian 80%
Black 66%
Hispanic 60%
U.S. History.
White 87%
Asian 77%
Black 68%
Hispanic 62%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
White 92%
Asian 82%
Black 75%
Hispanic 71%
American Literature.
White 98%
Asian 94%
Hispanic 87%
Black 86%
Economics.
White 90%
Asian 79%
Hispanic 70%
Black 64%
Geometry.
White 95%
Asian 92%
Hispanic 85%
Black 78%
Central Gwinnett High School
564 West Crogan St – Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Grades 9-12
2736 students: 42% black, 27% white, 20% Hispanic, 8% Asian
Greatschools rating: 7
2009 SAT average score: 1475
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
Asian 67%
White 67%
Black 55%
Hispanic 45%
Biology.
White 75%
Asian 66%
Black 55%
Hispanic 45%
U.S. History.
White 75%
Asian 69%
Black 59%
Hispanic 44%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
White 81%
Asian 80%
Black 67%
Hispanic 66%
American Literature.
White 92%
Asian 87%
Black 87%
Hispanic 72%
Economics.
White 74%
Asian 66%
Hispanic 53%
Black 49%
Geometry.
White 79%
Hispanic 76% (something strange here)
Asian 70% (something strange here)
Black 60%
South Gwinnett High School
2288 Main St East – Snellville, GA 30078
Grades 9-12
2685 students: 59% black, 27% white, 7% Hispanic, 3% Asian
Greatschools rating: 7
2009 SAT average score: 1414
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
White 82%
Hispanic 69%
Black 68%
Asian 67%
Biology.
Asian 79%
White 78%
Black 63%
Hispanic 53%
U.S. History.
White 82%
Asian 64%
Black 51%
Hispanic 37%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
White 82%
Asian 77%
Black 69%
Hispanic 62%
American Literature.
White 96%
Black 84%
Asian 83%
Hispanic 81%
Economics.
White 83%
Asian 71%
Hispanic 61%
Black 56%
Geometry.
White 92%
Hispanic 71%
Black 68%
Asian n/a
Berkmar High School
405 Placeeasant Hill Rd NW – Lilburn, GA 30047
Grades 9-12
3086 students: 39% black, 37% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 10% white
Greatschools rating: 5
2009 SAT average score: 1385
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
Asian 68%
White 67%
Black 50%
Hispanic 49%
Biology.
White 86%
Asian 76%
Black 60%
Hispanic 47%
U.S. History.
White 77%
Asian 58%
Black 55%
Hispanic 40%
Physical Science.
White 73%
Hispanic 66%
Black 63%
Asian n/a
9th Grade Literature.
White 86%
Asian 81%
Black 69%
Hispanic 62%
American Literature.
White 95%
Asian 88%
Black 87%
Hispanic 78%
Economics.
White 81%
Asian 78%
Hispanic 72%
Black 61%
Geometry.
White 78%
Asian 70%
Black 60%
Hispanic 54%
Meadowcreek High School
4455 Steve Reynolds Blvd – Norcross, GA 30093
Grades 9-12
2300 students: 50% Hispanic, 29% black, 13% Asian, 6% white
Greatschools rating: 5
2009 SAT average score: 1346
EOCT 2007-8, percent passing.
Algebra I.
White 43%
Asian 41%
Hispanic 30%
Black 30%
Biology.
Asian 83%
White 65%
Black 54%
Hispanic 44%
U.S. History.
Asian 74%
White 73%
Black 44%
Hispanic 43%
Physical Science.
(No data.)
9th Grade Literature.
Asian 79%
Black 71%
White 70%
Hispanic 49%
American Literature.
Asian 96%
White 93%
Black 80%
Hispanic 62%
Economics.
White 77%
Asian 73%
Hispanic 51%
Black 43%
Geometry.
Asian 84%
White 69%
Black 40%
Hispanic 33%
David Sims
October 19th, 2010
8:46 pm
@KIM. Yep. Brookwood is a good school. Of all the high schools in Gwinnett County that I’ve checked, it’s the one with the highest percentage of whites and Asians, and the lowest percentage of blacks and Hispanics. It has the highest average SAT score in the county and ranks #16 in Georgia. Its test scores generally earn it a Greatschools rating of 10. If I had children who needed high schooling, and I had to settle for what was available in Gwinnett County, Georgia, then Brookwood would be the school I’d pick.
Jennifer
October 19th, 2010
8:54 pm
Mmm dawgh8…
It is not the parents responsibility to ensure the IEP is implemented. You are dead wrong on that point.
An IEP is developed in partnership between the school and the parent, with the school shouldering the majority, if not all of the responsibility of the implementation.
Old Timer Educator
October 19th, 2010
9:16 pm
Don’t know where the earlier poster got his/her data on graduation rates, but Central Gwinnett High School has met the graduation rate required by NCLB. Two years ago, it was 72%. Last year, it was 80%. This year, the requirement will be 85% and they’re planning on making that too. If you compare it with earlier rates, the numbers are even more impressive. Given their demographics, these stats are nothing to sneer at.
David Sims
October 19th, 2010
9:52 pm
@Old Time Educator. It must not have been me. I didn’t post any graduation rates for Gwinnett County high schools. I posted a lot of other information, but I didn’t post graduation rates.
David Sims
October 19th, 2010
10:01 pm
One interesting thing I noticed is that even Gwinnett’s best high school, Brookwood, isn’t quite as good as some of those in nearby counties. Fulton County has, judging by test scores, six better high schools: Northview, Riverwood, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee, Milton, and Roswell. Cobb County has four better high schools: Walton, Pope, Lassiter, and Wheeler.
Ah, but Gwinnett has the Big Population eligibility, and those other systems don’t.
agree with Dingy/Allen
October 19th, 2010
10:04 pm
Kudos to Gwinnett. Outstanding achievement! Now give the money back you are taking from the other counties when you are classified as “rural” for QBE funding.
Sherri
October 20th, 2010
10:15 am
Gwinnett County schools are awesome! Both my kids have had excellent teachers overall in the Central Gwinnett cluster, and are well prepared for college. Numerous students in my oldest son’s graduating class are now attending Ivy League schools. Gwinnett County, and Central Gwinnett specifically, must be doing something right!
Several posters on this site, most apparently from other counties and/or from private schools, refer to Gwinnett schools as “ghetto” schools. If I’m reading your inference correctly, what you mean is that they are diverse. Diversity is good! It prepares you for the real world, which is not some lily-white enclave. I am glad my sons have had the opportunity to see that “kids are kids” and “people are people” and that we are all the same underneath our skin.
Way to go, Gwinnett County!! Keep up the good work!!