Lake Oconee Academy has received a 5-star rating - a 98.5 out of 100 - for its 2104 School Climate Star Rating from the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). According to the Georgia DOE press release, 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.

“Research has shown us that school climate has a strong impact on student achievement,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “The data used to develop the 2014 Star Ratings proves this once again. If your school has a positive climate, it’s giving students the environment they need to learn. You’ll likely see high achievement there – or a school that’s on the right track toward high achievement.” Every Georgia school received a 1 - 5 star rating, with five stars representing an excellent school climate and one star representing a school climate most in need of improvement. The rating system uses data from the following areas: School Climate, Student Discipline, Safe and Substance-Free Learning Environment, and Attendance. School Climate Star Ratings are an informational tool for schools, administrators, and parents; they do not affect the school’s College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score.

Dr. Otho Tucker, CEO of Lake Oconee Academy had this to say about the score, “While I am, of course, pleased by this news, I am not at all surprised. When you provide an environment for students that allows for and expects success that is exactly the result that you will achieve. The dedication of our faculty and staff to create and sustain an environment conducive to learning is outstanding. I commend them for their efforts in making sure that our students arrive each day to a school environment where they feel respected, valued and safe.”

Interpretations of the star ratings are below:

'5-star' schools ranked excellent according to the school climate index;

'4-star' schools ranked above average according to the school climate index;

'3-star' schools ranked average according to the school climate index;

'2-star' schools ranked below satisfactory according to the school climate index, or

'1-star' schools ranked unsatisfactory according to the school climate index.

School Climate Star Ratings are required by law; they also serve as a companion to the Department of Early Care and Learning’s Quality Rated program, which includes an assessment of the learning environment. “Students cannot learn in environments that do not support them,” Superintendent Woods said. “Georgia is committed to measuring the quality of its learning climates, and this aligned approach helps us assess that quality from preschool all the way through 12th grade.”

For immediate release
Contact: Kerry Minster
706.454.1562
kerry.minster@lakeoconeeacademy.org