CCSD Elementary School Named a 2025 Georgia Distinguished School

A Cherokee County School District elementary school has been named a Title I Distinguished School for Georgia – for the second time in three years!

Carmel Elementary School ranked among the top 5% of highest-performing Title I schools statewide to earn the 2025 recognition, which it previously won in 2023.  Title I is a federal funding program that provides additional funding to qualifying schools.  The Georgia Department of Education recognizes K-12 Title I schools for significant progress in improving student achievement.

Principal Lisa Rich

Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis congratulated the teachers and staff of Carmel ES, led by Principal Lisa Rich, for their unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication.

“We are on a mission to be the highest performing school district in Georgia, and this achievement exemplifies that commitment!” she said.  “Thank you to these outstanding teachers and staff and congratulations to them and our amazing students, families, volunteers and school partners for together earning this recognition.  Thank you to our School Board for its continued investment in ensuring our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else.”

Carmel ES now is eligible for the prestigious National ESEA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Distinguished Schools award, which is presented to only two schools from each state for outstanding achievement.  Winning schools, which each will receive an additional $20,000 in federal funding, are selected based on three areas: exceptional student performance, closing the achievement gap between student groups and excellence in serving special populations of students, such as homeless students and English Learners.

“On behalf of the Cherokee County School Board, we are proud to recognize Carmel Elementary School for their ‘repeat performance’ in the top 5% of Title 1 Distinguished Schools,” School Board Chair Janet Read Welch said.  “They have earned this honor in the areas of ELA and Math on the Georgia Milestones test.  This commitment stemmed from a collaborative effort from the students, the teachers and their families.  Congratulations to the Carmel ES Colts who are continuing to ‘gallop their way to success!’”   

The School Board and Superintendent Davis will recognize the school at an upcoming school board meeting.

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