Banks County Schools is proud to announce that Banks County Middle School (BCMS) has been named a 2025 Title I Reward School. This prestigious honor places BCMS among the top 5% of Title I schools in Georgia for progress in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
The Title I Reward School designation is based on comparing content mastery scores from the most recent two years of statewide assessments. Earning a spot on this list is a remarkable achievement that reflects strong instructional practices and leadership.
Dr. Kaila Steele, Principal of Banks County Middle School, praised the teamwork that made this possible. “Being named a Title I Reward School is a tremendous achievement and is a reflection of the commitment and hard work of all of our staff at BCMS. I would like to commend the 2025 leadership team, Mrs. Saxon, who retired at the end of the 2025 school year, Mr. Butler, and Mrs. Grizzle for their leadership, and I want to recognize and thank our teachers and staff for all of the work they put in every day with students to help them to set and achieve their academic goals. We are honored and proud to be named a 2025 Title I Reward School.”
Superintendent Dr. Ann Hopkins echoed the celebration. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our teachers, staff, and district team working together every day to support student success. We are incredibly proud of Banks County Middle School for this accomplishment.”
In recognition of this achievement, John Wight, Associate Superintendent with the Office of Federal Programs, shared his congratulations. “Please extend our sincere appreciation and congratulations to your principals, teachers, and staff for their dedication to student success. Their efforts are making a measurable difference in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are proud of your district’s accomplishment and grateful for your continued leadership in supporting excellence in education across Georgia.”
Banks County Schools celebrates this recognition as a reflection of its system vision for the year: Expectations Influence Success. The district has led an effort to focus on data, student achievement, professional learning, and aligning system goals across the district.