State Superintendent Richard Woods Visited Effingham County Schools to Present Prestigious Academic Banners
State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited the Effingham County School District this April to personally present the John Hancock, Literacy, and Math Leader banners to several high-performing schools.
The ceremony, hosted at South Effingham Middle School, celebrated the district’s dedication to academic growth and achievement. During the visit, Superintendent Woods recognized the hard work of administrators, teachers, and students who met the rigorous state criteria for excellence in core subject areas.
During the event, Superintendent Woods presented the following honors:
South Effingham Middle School: Honored as a Math Leader.
Ebenezer Middle School: Honored as a Math Leader.
Effingham County Middle School: Honored as a Math Leader.
Springfield Elementary School: Honored as both a Math Leader and a Literacy Leader.
South Effingham Elementary School: Honored as a Math Leader.
Ebenezer Elementary School: Awarded the John Hancock Award for excellence in cursive writing.
Key Initiatives & Award Criteria
The banners presented represent several key initiatives from the Georgia Department of Education designed to highlight academic growth:
Math and Literacy Leadership
These awards recognize schools for significant growth or high achievement in the percentage of students performing at or above grade level on the Georgia Milestones. The criteria emphasize the critical importance of numeracy in 5th and 8th grades and literacy in 3rd and 6th grades.
The John Hancock Award
Ebenezer Elementary earned this distinction by demonstrating that at least 90% of eligible students met the state's cursive writing requirements. This award celebrates the development of fine motor skills and students' ability to engage with historical documents.
Several schools in the district were recognized as repeat winners, including Ebenezer Middle, Effingham County Middle, South Effingham Middle, and Springfield Elementary, who brought their previously earned banners to the ceremony to showcase a sustained history of academic performance.
"It was a privilege to have Superintendent Woods visit our district to see firsthand the incredible work happening in our classrooms," said Dr. Yancy Ford, Superintendent of Effingham County Schools. "Earning these banners is a testament to the perseverance of our students and the expertise of our educators who ensure every child reaches their full potential."
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