State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox announced Friday that West Hall High School is being honored as a 2009 Georgia School of Excellence in Student Achievement.

West Hall High School was named a School of Excellence in Student Achievement based on assessments and test scores. The Hall County school ranked ninth in the state where students demonstrated greatest continuous gains in student achievement for the past three years.

"These schools are getting great results from all students in many different areas," Cox said. "The teachers, students and administrators at these schools truly represent excellence."

West Hall High School Principal Jackie Adams said the efforts of many led to the honor.

"Teachers have raised expectations for all students, and students have risen to the occasion, working hard to be successful in their classes, in extracurricular
activities and as integral members of their community," she said. "... An expansion of the curriculum through the International Baccalaureate program, Advanced
Placement course offerings, (English for Speakers of Other Languages) curriculum, volunteer experiences, career/technical education, fine arts and an array of sports and clubs allows students to discover their passions and to reach their full potential."

The School of Excellence awards recognizes schools in two different categories: greatest gains, representing cumulative results of various test scores, and top 10 percent, representing schools ranked in the top 10 percent as measured by assessments in reading and math.

West Hall was ranked ninth among the schools having the greatest gains in student achievement. Daves Creek Elementary and Riverwatch Middle in Forsyth County made the top 10 percent list. Daves Creek and Riverwatch placed seventh and ninth in the state, respectively, for the top 10 percent category.