Austin Elementary

Dekalb County Schools

Austin Earns Top Awards from Governor for Student Performance and Growth

Students cannot succeed without a high-quality teacher leading instruction. Austin Elementary School has them in spades, which has helped the campus earn “platinum” awards for both high student performance and academic growth in the 2016 Single Statewide Accountability System awards.

Austin was honored with the award, from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, for ranking in the top one percent of all Georgia public schools in both categories as measured by the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). This means Austin is not only one of the best schools in the state for performance, but that it’s only getting better.

That performance is teacher-led, according to Principal Ann Culbreath, principal at Austin since 2012. The campus also earned platinum status in 2015-2016.

“I attribute this award to the amazing professionals we have at Austin, our involved parents and most importantly our students who value their education and strive each day to do their best,” Culbreath said. “This award has made our faculty feel extremely proud and validates Austin's unique program opportunities we provide to our students.”

Those opportunities for student achievement are plentiful at Austin Elementary. They include implementing a balanced literacy framework and a STEM curriculum, serving students who qualify for early intervention in reading and math, resources for gifted students, and English as a Second Language programs.

But for Culbreath, the success of her students always comes back to teachers. To help support this belief, the school community established the Austin Eagle Foundation four years ago to fund additional personnel.

“I truly believe that the teacher in the classroom is the most important facet to our students' academic success and receiving this award for the second year in a row is proof that Austin teachers are making a difference for all students,” she said.

That is why Austin Elementary School has earned a platinum awards in the 2016 Single Statewide Accountability System for both high student performance and academic growth.