By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Eastside above, Newton County system below state average on SAT
SAT

COVINGTON, Ga. — One high school topped the state and national averages but Newton County School System (NCSS) students overall scored below the same measures on the 2022 SAT exam, the school system announced today.

The SAT is a national college entrance exam some colleges and universities utilize to measure critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college. It assesses how well students analyze and solve problems and is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.

A total of 433 NCSS students took the exam and scored an average 988 composite on the 2022 SAT, including a 510 Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing score and 478 score on Math.

At individual schools:

• Alcovy High School compiled a 989 composite score with a 513 score in Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing and 476 in Math. 

• Eastside High bested the state and nation’s public school system students in both Math and the composite score at 518 and 1054 respectively. They also topped the nation in Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing with a score of 536, which matched the state average for public school students this year.

• Newton High attained a 937 composite score, including a 488 in Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing and 449 in Math.

“First, congratulations to our Eastside students, families, teachers, and leaders! We are all incredibly proud of your efforts,” said Samantha Fuhrey, superintendent of the Newton County School System.

“We continue to work diligently to prepare students for life beyond high school which for many includes post-secondary education. As such, teachers and both district office and school leaders will review the results to continue to identify opportunities for all students to experience even greater success.” 

For more information on Newton County’s 2022 SAT results, contact Allison Jordan, director of Testing for Newton County Schools, at jordan.allison@newton.k12.ga.us. 

2022 SAT Results:

• Alcovy High, 122 test takers, 513 on Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, 476 on Math, Composite Score of 989.

• Eastside High, 133 test takers, 536 on Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, 518 on Math, Composite Score of 1054.

• Newton High, 178 test takers, 488 on Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, 449 on Math, Composite Score of 937.

• NCSS, 433 test takers, 510 on Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, 478 on Math, Composite Score of 988.

• Georgia (Public Schools Only), 536 on Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, 516 on Math, Composite Score of 1052.

• U.S. (Public Schools Only), 521 on Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing, 507 on Math, Composite Score of 1028.

NCS Announces Finalists for 2025 HERO Award
2025 NCS HERO finalists
Administrative Assistant in the Special Education Department at the Central Office Chandra Mitchell (left), Clerk at Alcovy High School Kymberli Durden (middle) and Media Paraprofessional at Fairview Elementary School Cheryl Clark (right) are the three finalists for the 2025 Newton County Schools HERO Award. All three are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III. - photo by Newton County Schools

Newton County Schools (NCS) announced Tuesday the three finalists for the district’s inaugural HERO Award, an annual recognition honoring classified employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment, performance and impact in supporting students from pre-kindergarten through high school.

The 2025 HERO Award finalists are:

  • Cheryl Clark, Media Paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary School
  • Kymberli Durden, Clerk, Alcovy High School
  • Chandra Mitchell, Administrative Assistant, Special Education Department, Central Office

These outstanding employees have been selected from a group of school and division-level HERO Award winners and will advance to the final stage of the selection process, participating in interviews with the award panel later this week.

Superintendent Duke Bradley and several district leaders surprised each finalist at their workplace Tuesday, delivering the news in front of their colleagues. 

“Our classified employees are the backbone of our schools, providing the essential services that enable teaching and learning to flourish,” Bradley said. “Recognizing their hard work is not just a celebration of individuals but a testament to the values that drive our district forward. These three finalists represent the very best of our classified staff, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions.”

The NCS HERO Awards were established to recognize classified employees who embody service, dedication, professionalism and community impact. Modeled after the state and national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Awards, the program highlights the invaluable work of employees in clerical and administrative services, custodial and maintenance services, food and nutrition services, health and student services, paraprofessionals, security services, skilled trades, technical services, and transportation services.

To be eligible for the HERO Award, employees must have worked at least three years in NCS and at least one year in their current school or division. They must also demonstrate excellence in job performance, leadership, teamwork and commitment to both their school community and the district as a whole.

The winner of the 2025 NCS HERO Award will be announced at the HERO Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Porter Performing Arts Center. All school and division HERO Award winners will be recognized at the event, and the district winner will go on to represent NCS in the Georgia RISE Awards program for potential state-level recognition.

School Board Chair Abigail Coggin praised the finalists and the impact of the HERO Awards.

“Recognizing the contributions of our classified staff through the HERO Awards is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude,” Coggin said. “These individuals are vital to the success of our students, and we are thrilled to celebrate their dedication and impact.”