Kathy Cox’s Visit Highlights Charter School’s CRCT Success

State School Superintendent Kathy Cox gives a challenge to the current 6th graders to exceed the CRCT scores from last year while addressing the student body of Fulton Science Academy.

It was a whirlwind visit from the moment the helicopter touched the ground until the last cheer and the more than 450 Fulton Science Academy Middle School students, staff and parents ate it up. And, according to State School Superintendent Kathy Cox the feeling was mutual, “I have been to 6 other schools today and this is the best reception I’ve gotten … I feel like a rock star!”

Cox, who was joined by Fulton County Schools’ Superintendent James Wilson, presented the 6 year old charter school with two coveted awards based on the 2007 Spring CRCT results in an assembly at the school gym on Monday afternoon, October 29. FSA received the Platinum Award for the greatest gain and the Silver Award for the highest performance under the 2007 Single Statewide Accountability System Awards. Out of more than 2100 schools in the State of Georgia, FSA, located in Alpharetta, was one of only seven to receive a dual award this year and, according to Cox, the only charter school.

Tony Roberts, CEO for Georgia Charter Schools Association said “ Fulton Science Academy has demonstrated the best of the best in education These awards acknowledge the results of their innovation, parental involvement, committed school leadership, flexibility, and strong commitment to student achievement which are the hallmarks of an excellent charter school.”

A pep rally atmosphere filled the gym as Kathy Cox encouraged each of the school’s three grades to stand and cheer for their accomplishments, the staff and their parents. She gave a challenge to each grade to surpass what their predecessors did the previous year for the spring of 2008.

And then, it was back to the helicopter. But before she left it was one last cheer “I’ll say Fulton and you say Science. I’ll say number and you say one,” she instructed. The students responded enthusiastically and the shouts of “Fulton Science Number One” filled the gym and followed their distinguished guest out the door.