The Cherokee County School District has earned international recognition for excellence in education!
The district is one of only 38 school districts in the world to today be named a 2022 Cognia School System of Distinction by the international accreditation organization.
The recognition honors school districts that “exemplify excellence in education and service to learners.” To be eligible, schools districts must have undergone a Cognia accreditation review in the previous year. In addition to school system honors, Cognia today also recognized 96 individually accredited schools as Schools of Distinction.
“This honor truly is a gold seal of approval for our school district,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “I’m incredibly proud of our entire CCSD family for the role you play in our continued success. We know we have the best team, but this honor validates that pride and spurs us all to work harder to further improve for our students. Congratulations to our community, and thank you for your support!”
Dr. Hightower said this prestigious honor would not have been possible without the leadership of the School Board and the dedication of the entire CCSD community: students, families, teachers, support staff, school and district leaders, volunteers, community and business partners, and all taxpayers. He commended Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nicole H. Holmes for her excellence in leading the district’s efforts to earn the accreditation renewal, including meeting detailed requirements for documentation and coordinating interviews of stakeholders.
Cognia conducted an independent extensive review of CCSD operations earlier this year. The organization not only awarded CCSD a five-year accreditation renewal, but also the highest-ever score for the district and 11 commendations for excellence, with no requirements for improvement.
“The Cherokee County School District is to be commended on their recognition as a School of Distinction,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “Cognia accreditation is already a mark of distinction recognized around the world. Being named a School System of Distinction further recognizes the commitment to education quality that CCSD has for its learners.”
Accreditation is the highest level of overall accountability for school systems. Cognia reviews school districts in three main areas: Learning, which includes curriculum, instruction and assessment; Resources, which includes use of resources entrusted to it by taxpayers; and Leadership, which includes the governance of the School Board and Superintendent of Schools, including accountability and transparency efforts and School Board policies.
The school district will be formally recognized as a School System of Distinction at the Cognia Excellence in Education Luncheon this fall.
Original source can be found here.
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