MOULTRIE, GEORGIA – August 26, 2025
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) released the results of the Georgia Milestones assessments for the 2024-2025 year this past week. Colquitt County elementary schools rose to the top in several areas.
The GaDOE press release states that “the percentage of students reading at or above grade level increased in five of seven grade levels.” For Colquitt County, Hamilton Elementary topped the local Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) area in three grade levels: 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
Principal Kristyn Nelms shared, “This accomplishment is the result of the hard work and determination of our students, combined with the dedication of our staff. It reflects the collective effort of every teacher from Pre-K through 5th grade, our support staff, and the strong community that stands behind us each day. At Hamilton, ALL truly means ALL—everyone plays a role in helping our Hounds reach the goals they set for themselves and the high expectations we share.”
Third grade:
- Hamilton Elementary was first in the RESA with 90.9% of students reading at or above grade level.
- Norman Park Elementary was 7th in the RESA with 76.2%.
Fourth grade:
- Hamilton Elementary was first in the RESA with 75% of students reading at or above grade level.
- Funston Elementary was fifth with 69.2%
- Norman Park Elementary was sixth with 68.4%.
- RB Wright Elementary was eighth with 66.3%.
Fifth grade:
- Hamilton Elementary was fifth with 82.4% of students reading at or above grade level.
- RB Wright Elementary was seventh with 78.6%.
- Sunset Elementary was ninth with 76.6%.
Throughout the year, the district and all schools strongly emphasized literacy. One highlight is the Read Like a Packer initiative, which recognizes students at home football games who each school selects for growth in reading. In addition, the district implemented professional development focused on structured literacy and evidence-based instructional strategies to strengthen classroom practice.
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Allen Edwards shared, “Hamilton’s scores are indicative of the students’ hard work, the commitment of teachers to standards-based learning, and the leadership team’s focus on student outcomes and the importance of a positive, close-knit learning community. We are proud of the work of the Hamilton Hounds and all schools for their continued focus on excellence for everyone and every one!”
Georgia Milestones Content Mastery Results Highlight Significant Growth
Colquitt County Schools are celebrating strong gains across several content areas on the 2025 Georgia Milestones assessments, with students showing progress that outpaces both regional and state comparisons.
Notable highlights include:
- Elementary Schools: Third graders improved by +2.1 points in ELA and +2 points in Math, surpassing RESA averages. Fourth grade math passed the local RESA average while fifth grade math was even. In science, fifth graders showed exceptional growth (+12.1 points), exceeding the RESA averages and in line with the state average.
- Middle Schools: Sixth-grade students posted remarkable gains in ELA (+8.8, +15.3 over two years), while seventh graders posted an impressive +14.4 in Math, all above RESA averages. Seventh graders grew +8.5 in ELA.
- Junior High: Advanced eighth-grade Physical Science students achieved one of the district’s strongest gains at +18.9 locally and +24.2 compared to the state.
- High Schools: Students demonstrated steady improvement in core subjects, including Biology (+9 over two years), US History (+6.4 locally, +12.2 compared to the state), and Algebra (+6). Biology and US History scores were above the RESA and state averages.
When asked about the achievements across the district, Superintendent Dan Chappuis shared, “ We are proud of the academic growth our students across the Colquitt County School District have shown through their performance on the Georgia Milestones assessments. These achievements clearly reflect our district’s commitment to literacy as a key priority. We are building a strong foundation that supports learning in all subject areas by focusing on early reading skills and strengthening literacy instruction at every level. This academic growth results from dedicated efforts by our educators, the resilience of our students, and the strong partnerships we’ve built with families and the community.”
To read the full press release from GaDOE, visit https://gadoe.org/press-releases/test-scores-continue-to-rise-with-abandonment-of-common-core-math/