Walker County's Fairyland Elementary is one of only 27 Georgia schools chosen by Governor Sonny Perdue and State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox to receive a Gold Award for student achievement and academic improvement.  With this year's Gold, Fairyland now has two Gold and one Silver Achievement Award for the past three years.

Schools were carefully selected based on their 2006-2007 performance on state curriculum assessments such as the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) or Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT).  Award winners are determined by the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Education, based on data from the Single Statewide Accountability System.

"These award-winning schools are laser-focused on giving students the instruction and support they need to be successful," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "They are not only creating a brighter future for our children, they are creating a brighter future for our state by nurturing our next generation of citizens."

Jennifer Rippner, Executive Director of GOSA, said: "Governor Perdue and I believe it is very important to … recognize the schools that are showing the greatest results. These are the schools that are reaching the highest levels and showing the greatest improvements."

Fairyland Elementary achieved Gold status for the highest percentage of students meeting and exceeding state-wide standards on the CRCT.  At least 97% of their students meet the standards and 30% exceeded minimum requirements under No Child Left Behind legislation.   

Principal Dr. Terry Stevenson credited her staff and students for their effort to achieve and surpass state requirements through workshops and study sessions throughout the year.  Superintendent Melissa Mathis said the Board is very proud of this three-year accomplishment and looks forward to more Walker County Schools receiving state awards in the future.
   

Assistant Principal Art Phemister and Principal Dr. Terry Stevenson display Fairyland's banner from the Governor's Office of Student Achievement for its second Gold Achievement Award.