Newton County Schools has announced that Oak Hill Elementary School has been named a 2025 Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) Greatest Gains Platinum Award winner by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA).
Out of 2,314 public schools across Georgia, only 31 schools earned the Platinum designation for Greatest Gains in 2025, placing Oak Hill Elementary among the top one percent of schools statewide for academic growth.
According to GOSA, schools receiving the Platinum Award must achieve a three-year average Progress Score percentile ranking in the 99th percentile statewide. Progress scores measure how much academic growth students demonstrate year over year compared to academically similar students across Georgia.
Oak Hill Elementary School earned outstanding progress scores over the past three years:
• 100% in 2025
• 100% in 2024
• 98.9% in 2023
In addition to the SSAS Greatest Gains Platinum Award, Oak Hill Elementary School was also recently recognized as a “Beating the Odds” school by GOSA. The “Beating the Odds” designation recognizes schools that are outperforming projected expectations when compared to schools across Georgia with similar demographics and contextual challenges.
Dr. MJ Kim, Director of Policy, Research, and Evaluation for GOSA, said the recognition reflects the extraordinary level of work taking place at Oak Hill Elementary School.
“Oak Hill Elementary School has been recognized with a Greatest Gains Platinum Award, placing the school in the top one percent of all public schools in Georgia for student growth,” Kim said. “Growth is hard to manufacture. It requires intentional instruction, consistent effort, and a belief that every student is capable of more. What Oak Hill Elementary School has demonstrated this year is exactly that and the students, educators, and families of Newton County should be proud.”
Newton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley, III said the recognition is a reflection of the school’s commitment to academic growth and high expectations for students.
“This recognition speaks to the work happening every day inside Oak Hill Elementary School,” Bradley said “When a school is recognized in the top one percent in the entire state for student growth, it confirms that strong instruction, high expectations, and a commitment to students are making a difference. We are proud of the students, staff, and leadership at Oak Hill for this accomplishment.”
Dr. Ashante Everett, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for Newton County Schools, said the award highlights the importance of maintaining a strong focus on student growth and instructional practices.
“Oak Hill’s recognition demonstrates what can happen when educators stay focused on meeting students where they are and helping them grow academically year after year,” Everett said. “Oak Hill’s recognition reflects the impact of dedicated educators who remain committed to meeting students where they are and supporting their academic growth year after year.”
Oak Hill Elementary School Principal Dr. Brenda Gammans credited the school’s students, staff, and families for the achievement.
“This recognition belongs to our entire Oak Hill school community,” Gammans said. “Our teachers work hard every day to provide meaningful instruction and support for students, and our families continue to be strong partners in that work. We are proud of the growth our students have demonstrated and honored to receive this recognition from GOSA.”
The SSAS awards are developed annually by GOSA and approved by the Georgia State Board of Education. Schools are recognized based on statewide academic performance and growth data collected over a three-year period.