Local schools rate high in Milestone

WCSD, SCCS both score above state rate

Local schools reported growth as students once again outpaced the state on the annual Milestones test. The Milestones end-of-grade and end-of-course assessment tests are designed to gauge student performance at set points and subjects to determine local growth and proficiency. Students in grades 3 through 8 take an end-of-grade test in English Language Arts and mathematics. Additionally, students in grade 5 test in science, and students in grade 8 test in science and social studies, while high school students take an end-of-course test in American literature, algebra, biology and U.S. history.

Both the Walton County School District and Social Circle City Schools outpaced the state in results from the 2024-25 school year.

“Today, we celebrate our student achievements on the Georgia Milestones and acknowledge the steadfast support of our entire school community,” WCSD Superintendent Chip Underwood said. “This success reflects the dedication and collaboration of both our students and staff. It motivates us to continue working together to maintain a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

WCSD students outperformed state averages in nearly all tests, particularly in literacy, where the district out-paced the state’s literacy performance in all tested grades. In grade 4, the district’s percent of students reading on or above grade level exceeded the state by nine percentage points. In grade 7, Walton students exceeded the state by four percentage points, while at the high school level, the district’s performance surpassed the state by eight percentage points.

Social Circle also reported impressive results, as the city school district demonstrated significant academic growth across multiple grade levels, particularly in fifth grade, where students outperformed the state in Proficiency for all tested areas of math, language arts, and science.

“These results are more evidence of our teachers and administrators’ commitment to improving student outcomes,” SCCS assessment director Aaron Robinson said. “Due to its foundational importance, literacy remains a priority as we continue to raise our district-wide expectations, focusing on standards-based instruction while developing stronger support systems, training, and accountability.”

Both systems reported other increases in various grades and subjects. WCSD students surpassed the state in all subjects at the elementary and middle school levels. English/Language Arts proficiency rates met or exceeded the state’s performance in all grades 3-8, with grades 4 and 5 being the highest at seven percentage points.

Math Proficiency rates outpaced the state’s math performance in all tested grades. In grades 4 and 5, the district’s percent of students performing at or above the proficient level exceeded the State by eight percentage points.

In grade 6, Walton students exceeded the state by 10 percentage points. The science assessment was only administered in grades 5 and 8 The proficiency rates in this area surpassed the State rates by five and 17 percentage points, respectively. The social studies assessment was only administered in grade

It improved eight percentage points, exceeding the state by four points. WCSD high schoolers also saw improvement, as the percent of WCSD students performing proficient or higher was above the state in all subjects. The American literature proficiency rate exceeded the state by eight percentage points, while algebra proficiency rates exceeded the state’s by nearly 11 percentage points and biology proficiency performance surpassed the state rate by three percentage points.

Finally, U.S. history performance improved by five percentage points and outpaced the state by 19 percentage points. Social Circle saw fifth grade proficiency improve by 15 percentage points in language arts and remained over 50% proficient in science, outperforming the state for the third year in a row. Fourth grade math improved by nine points, and third grade math improved by 17 points.

Middle schoolers also saw improvement in the SCCS district. Eighth grade language arts proficiency increased by six percentage points, equaling or outperforming the state for the third consecutive year, while eighth grade math proficiency grew by seven percentage points, and algebra by five percentage points. Seventh grade language arts proficiency grew by 21 points, seventh grade math proficiency grew by 11 percentage points and sixth grade math proficiency levels grew by seven percentage points.

The overall performance saw congratulations at the highest levels. “Seeing such strong and consistent gains in mathematics, even following significant increases the year prior, speaks to the quality of our new, Georgia-grown math standards,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “The results are clear, and I look forward to seeing similar gains in English Language Arts as we begin the new standards implementation process this school year and continue to roll out reading supports tied to early literacy legislation.”