Fayette’s Graduates Perform Best at College Level

Fayette County produces the state’s top academic talent for Georgia’s public colleges and universities, according to a report released by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

The report tracks the cumulative college grade point average (GPA) by graduating high school of first-time freshmen that entered one of the state’s institutions in the fall of 2009. Both private and public high schools throughout Georgia are included.

McIntosh High and Starr’s Mill High are in the top 1 percent with their graduates posting average GPAs of 2.96 and 2.92, respectively, after finishing their first college semester. Schools that finished ahead of McIntosh and Starr’s Mill had fewer first-time freshmen enrolled in a state institution, 1-98, in comparison to McIntosh with 186 and Starr’s Mill with 274.

Fayette’s three other high schools also placed high on the list. Sandy Creek’s graduates posted a GPA of 2.67, placing the school in the top 12 percent in the state. Whitewater and Fayette County, with GPAs of 2.59 and 2.57, respectively, placed in the top 13 percent.

McIntosh Principal Lisa Fine is proud that graduates from her school have the highest GPA in the state compared to other public and private high schools with comparable enrollments. She credits the success to her team of teachers who prepare students to meet the demands of today’s society.

“McIntosh High School students and teachers strive for excellence in all of our endeavors. Teachers provide a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for post-secondary success and lifelong learning. In addition to teaching academic content, teachers focus on creating well-rounded students who are critical thinkers, good communicators, and visionary--equipping students for success in the real world,” says Fine.

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All of Fayette’s High Schools Make State’s AP Honor List

All five of Fayette’s public high schools made Georgia’s 2011 list of AP (Advanced Placement) Honor Schools, with the majority earning recognition in multiple categories based on the results of AP exams.

AP classes offer rigorous college-level learning options to students in high school. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams may receive college credit. AP classes and exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT.

Both Fayette County and Sandy Creek High schools placed in the AP Access and Support Schools category: schools with 30 percent of AP test takers that are African-American or Hispanic, and at least 30 percent of all AP exams scoring 3 or higher.

Starr’s Mill High is listed as an AP Merit School: schools with at least 20 percent of students taking AP exams, and at least half of the AP exams scoring a 3 or higher.

McIntosh High, Sandy Creek High, Starr’s Mill High and Whitewater High schools made the list for AP STEM Schools: schools with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science).

McIntosh High, Sandy Creek High, Starr’s Mill High and Whitewater High schools also are listed in the AP STEM Achievement Schools category: schools with students testing in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses, and at least 40 percent of the exam scores on AP math and AP science exams scoring a 3 or higher.

More than 350 high schools throughout the state were named AP Honor Schools.

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Two Fayette County Residents Earn Master’s Degrees from Clayton State

Two individuals from Fayette County recently graduated from Clayton State University with master’s degrees.

Fayetteville’s Barbara James, a teacher at Rising Starr Middle School and the first recipient (in 2008) of the Clayton State University Retirees Association Scholarship, has earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. An additional story on James will be forthcoming next week.

Peachtree City’s Nicholas Ross Cushnie earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics, one of the first two master’s degrees awarded from the University’s College of Information and Mathematical Sciences.

A total of 20 individuals will receive master’s degrees from Clayton State at the Dec. 10, Fall 2010 Hooding Ceremony. A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Sandy Creek One of Top High Schools in State for College Football

If you play football and aspire to advance to the college level, your best chances of getting there might be if you play for Sandy Creek High.

That’s what Steve Slay, a Georgia high school football fan and researcher with the Georgia High School Football Historians Association found when he complied data on schools throughout the state to see which were sending the most players into college ball.

With a total of 26 college players, Sandy Creek ranked #9 overall in a list of the top 14 Georgia high schools.

Slay also lists the top 10 schools for each classification. Sandy Creek ranked first in Class AAA. Both Fayette County High and Whitewater High made the top 10 for Class AAAA with 21 and 19 collegiate players, respectively. Fayette County is ranked #5 with Whitewater at #8.

The data is being highlighted in the next several issues of the Georgia High School Football Daily. Slay gathered data from college rosters online, so the information may not reflect complete accuracy.
Slay is continuing to research and tweak his data. When finished, he will post it on the forums at www.gavsv.com.

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Number of Fayette County AP Scholars Top National Average

The College Board has released the results of the 2010 Advanced Placement (AP) exam results, rigorous exams that test student performance on college-level courses offered at the high school level. Of the 1,183 Fayette County Public School students who took the exams in the spring of 2010, 273 achieved an AP Scholar designation.

AP exams provide the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement in college or both, for successful performance on the AP exams. According to the College Board, about 18 percent of the nearly 1.7 million students worldwide who took AP exams performed at a sufficiently high level to earn an AP Scholar Award. In Fayette County, 23 percent received AP Scholar designations, topping the national average by five percent.

To qualify as an AP Scholar with Distinction, students must earn an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Fayette County had 70 students in this designation.

To qualify as an AP Scholar with Honors, students must earn an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. The school district had 58 students qualifying for this award.

To earn a designation as an AP Scholar, students must complete three or more AP exams with grades 3 or higher. A total of 145 students met the criteria for this honor.

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College PROBE Fair at Sandy Creek Set for September 30

The annual Fayette County PROBE College Fair will be held at Sandy Creek High September 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

More than 100 institutions will be present to talk with parents and students about admissions, scholarships, housing and other areas of college life.

Sandy Creek High is located at 360 Jenkins Road in Tyrone. There is no charge to attend.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting school counselor Kelly Floyd at Sandy Creek High, 770-969-2843, or visit www.gaprobe.org.

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More Fayette Students Taking AP Courses, Pass Rate Holds Steady

The latest Advanced Placement (AP) scores released by the College Board show that more Fayette students took AP exams compared to last year while maintaining an overall 70 percent pass rate.

AP classes and exams are administered by the College Board, which also administers the SAT. AP classes offer rigorous college-level learning options to students in high school. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams may receive college credit.

The total number of Fayette students taking the exams increased one percent in 2010. As was the case last year, the most tested subjects were United States History, English Language and Composition, and English Literature and Composition.

Fayette’s students outpaced the nation in scoring higher passing rates in the majority of subjects tested. The College Board will release detailed national data in the fall.

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College PROBE Fair Set for September 17

Fayette County high school students and their parents can explore the numerous post-secondary options available in Georgia at the annual PROBE College Fair being held on September 17 at Sandy Creek High School from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Representatives from various nonprofit colleges, universities and technical schools will be present to talk with parents and students about admissions, scholarships, housing and other areas of college life.

Admission is free. For more information, contact Kelly Floyd, counselor, at Sandy Creek High, 770-969-2840. Sandy Creek is located at 360 Jenkins Road in Tyrone.

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Sandy Creek Financial Aid Night December 15

Seniors who will be graduating from Sandy Creek High and their parents can learn how to get funding for college during the school’s Financial Aid Night on December 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Calvin King of the Georgia Student Finance Commission will be on hand to discuss government funded financial aid programs that are available, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). He will also provide tips and strategies to get the most out of the federal aid opportunities available.

The program will be held in school’s media center.

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