Seven schools in Rockdale County Public Schools achieved the 5-Star rating and the district achieved an average of 4 out of 5 stars in the School Climate Star Ratings for the 2017-18 school year recently released by the Georgia Department of Education. This is an increase of three schools more than last year to achieve this top-level 5-Star rating. These schools include Hightower Trail Elementary, J.H. House Elementary, Lorraine Elementary, Gen. Ray Davis Middle, Edwards Middle, Heritage High and Salem High. The Star Climate averages for RCPS are shown below. The ratings are based on survey results and data from the 2017-2018 school year.
RCPS District Climate Average: 92.7 (****)
RCPS Elementary School Climate Average: 95 (****)
RCPS Middle School Climate Average: 88.8 (****)
RCPS High School Climate Average: 89.7 (*****)
“Our stakeholders’ perceptions of our schools’ climate and culture are critically important to setting the stage for optimal student learning, achievement, and growth,” said Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts. “As such, I commend our schools for their efforts to enhance their respective school’s climate and culture as reflected in a more than doubling of the number of schools achieving a 5-Star Climate Rating as part of our district’s 2018 CCRPI Report. I am proud of our district’s efforts to improve culture and climate at each of our schools. One such district-wide example is the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at each of our schools. PBIS is an evidence-based, multi-tiered framework of prevention and intervention strategies that supports the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral success of all students. Also, we afford our schools Response to Intervention (RTI) Specialists to monitor and support the implementation of a multi-tiered system of student support to meet the various learning needs of students. Additionally, we provide Prevention and Intervention (P&I) Specialists for our schools to assist with managing significant behavioral challenges that may impede students’ progress. As a district, I am confident that we have a viable infrastructure to sustain positive school climate and culture.”
According to the GADOE, school climate refers to the quality and character of school life – the “culture” of a school. A sustainable, positive school climate fosters youth development and student learning, which are essential elements for academic success, career-skill improvement and overall quality of life. The School Climate Star Rating helps determine whether a school is on the right path to school improvement.
Each school in Georgia received a 1-5 star rating, with 5 stars representing an excellent school climate, and 1 star representing a school climate most in need of improvement. School Climate Star Ratings are an informational tool for schools, administrators, and parents; they do not affect the school’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score. For more information about the School Climate Star Rating,
click here or visit
www.gadoe.org/Georgia-Insights/Pages/School-Climate-Star-Rating.aspx .