##### *2006-2007 No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools Program*

*U.S. Department of Education*

**Cover Sheet** Type of School: (Check all that apply) \[ \] Elementary
\[ \] Middle \[X\] High \[ \] K-12 \[ \] Charter

Name of Principal [Mrs. Tracie G. Fleming]{.underline}

(Specify: Ms., Miss, Mrs., Dr., Mr., Other) (As it should appear in the
official records)

Official School Name [McIntosh High School]{.underline}

(As it should appear in the official records)

School Mailing Address [201 Walt Banks Road]{.underline}

(If address is P.O. Box, also include street address.)

[Peachtree City GA 30269-1391]{.underline}

City State Zip Code+4 (9 digits total)

County [Fayette]{.underline} State School Code Number\*
[0182]{.underline}

Telephone [(770) 631-3232]{.underline} Fax [(770) 631-3278]{.underline}

Web site/URL[www.mcintoshhigh.com]{.underline} E-mail
[fleming.tracie@fcboe.org]{.underline}

I have reviewed the information in this application, including the
eligibility requirements on page 2, and certify that to the best of my
knowledge all information is accurate.

Date\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Principal's Signature)

Name of Superintendent\* [Dr. John DeCotis]{.underline}

(Specify: Ms., Miss, Mrs., Dr., Mr., Other)

District Name [Fayette County]{.underline} Tel [(770)
460-3535]{.underline}

I have reviewed the information in this application, including the
eligibility requirements on page 2, and certify that to the best of my
knowledge it is accurate.

Date\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
(Superintendent's Signature)

Name of School Board

President/Chairperson Mrs. Terri Smith

(Specify: Ms., Miss, Mrs., Dr., Mr., Other)

I have reviewed the information in this application, including the
eligibility requirements on page 2, and certify that to the best of my
knowledge it is accurate.

Date\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(School Board President's/Chairperson's Signature)

*\*Private Schools: If the information requested is not applicable,
write N/A in the space.*

**PART I ‑ ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION**

The signatures on the first page of this application certify that each
of the statements below concerning the school's eligibility and
compliance with U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
(OCR) requirements is true and correct.

1.  The school has some configuration that includes grades K-12.
    (Schools on the same campus with one principal, even K-12 schools,
    must apply as an entire school.)

2.  The school has made adequate yearly progress each year for the past
    two years and has not been identified by the state as "persistently
    dangerous" within the last two years. To meet final eligibility, the
    school must meet the state's adequate yearly progress requirement in
    the 2007-2008 school year.

3.  If the school includes grades 7 or higher, it has foreign language
    as a part of its core curriculum.

4.  The school has been in existence for five full years, that is, from
    at least September 2001 and has not received the No Child Left
    Behind -- Blue Ribbon Schools award in the past five years.

5.  The nominated school or district is not refusing OCR access to
    information necessary to investigate a civil rights complaint or to
    conduct a district‑wide compliance review.

6.  OCR has not issued a violation letter of findings to the school
    district concluding that the nominated school or the district as a
    whole has violated one or more of the civil rights statutes. A
    violation letter of findings will not be considered outstanding if
    OCR has accepted a corrective action plan from the district to
    remedy the violation.

7.  The U.S. Department of Justice does not have a pending suit alleging
    that the nominated school or the school district as a whole has
    violated one or more of the civil rights statutes or the
    Constitution's equal protection clause.

8.  There are no findings of violations of the Individuals with
    Disabilities Education Act in a U.S. Department of Education
    monitoring report that apply to the school or school district in
    question; or if there are such findings, the state or district has
    corrected, or agreed to correct, the findings.

**PART II ‑ DEMOGRAPHIC DATA**

**All data are the most recent year available.**

**DISTRICT** (Questions 1‑2 not applicable to private schools)

1\. Number of schools in the district: [17]{.underline} Elementary
schools

[5]{.underline} Middle schools

Junior high schools

[5]{.underline} High schools

[2]{.underline} Other : Evening High School, Alternative

[29]{.underline} TOTAL

2\. District Per Pupil Expenditure: [\$7,315.00 (2005-06); \$7,775.00
(2006-07)]{.underline}

Average State Per Pupil Expenditure: [\$7,426.00 (2005-06)]{.underline}

**SCHOOL** (To be completed by all schools)

3\. Category that best describes the area where the school is located:

> \[ \] Urban or large central city
>
> \[ \] Suburban school with characteristics typical of an urban area
>
> \[ X \] Suburban
>
> \[ \] Small city or town in a rural area
>
> \[ \] Rural

4\. [4]{.underline} Number of years the principal has been in her/his
position at this school.

If fewer than three years, how long was the previous principal at this
school?

5\. Number of students as of October 1 enrolled at each grade level or
its equivalent in applying school only:

  ----------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- -- ----------- --------- ----------- ---------
  **Grade**   **\# of   **\# of                **Grade      **Grade**   **\# of   **\# of     **Grade
              Males**   Females**              Total**                  Males**   Females**   Total**

  **PreK**                                                  **7**                             

  **K**                                                     **8**                             

  **1**                                                     **9**       257       216         473

  **2**                                                     **10**      204       189         393

  **3**                                                     **11**      221       172         393

  **4**                                                     **12**      184       187         371

  **5**                                                     **Other**                         

  **6**                                                                                       

                                    **TOTAL                                                   1630
                                    STUDENTS                                                  
                                    IN THE                                                    
                                    APPLYING                                                  
                                    SCHOOL**                                                  
  ----------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- -- ----------- --------- ----------- ---------

6\. Racial/ethnic composition of [80]{.underline} % White

the school: [10]{.underline} % Black or African American

[5]{.underline} % Hispanic or Latino

[5]{.underline} % Asian/Pacific Islander

\% American Indian/Alaskan Native

**100% Total**

Use only the five standard categories in reporting the racial/ethnic
composition of the school.

7\. Student turnover, or mobility rate, during the past year:
[8%]{.underline}

> \[This rate should be calculated using the grid below. The answer to
> (6) is the mobility rate.\]

  ------------------------- --------------------------- ------------------
  **(1)**                   Number of students who      50
                            transferred ***to*** the    
                            school after October 1      
                            until the end of the year   

  **(2)**                   Number of students who      74
                            transferred ***from*** the  
                            school after October 1      
                            until the end of the year   

  **(3)**                   Total of all transferred    124
                            students \[sum of rows (1)  
                            and (2)\]                   

  **(4)**                   Total number of students in 1630
                            the school as of October 1  

  **(5)**                   Total transferred students  .076
                            in row (3) divided by total 
                            students in row (4)         

  **(6)**                   Amount in row (5)           7.6%
                            multiplied by 100           
  ------------------------- --------------------------- ------------------

8\. Limited English Proficient students in the school: [1 %]{.underline}

[17]{.underline} Total Number Limited English Proficient

Number of languages represented: [5]{.underline}

Specify languages: Spanish, Chinese- all dialects, Korean, other-
European & Japanese

9\. Students eligible for free/reduced-priced meals: [6%]{.underline}

Total number students who qualify: [\_102\_]{.underline}

> If this method does not produce an accurate estimate of the percentage
> of students from low‑income families, or the school does not
> participate in the federally supported lunch program, specify a more
> accurate estimate, tell why the school chose it, and explain how it
> arrived at this estimate.

10\. Students receiving special education services:
\_\_\_[7]{.underline}\_\_\_\_\_%

\_\_\_[109]{.underline}\_\_\_\_\_Total Number of Students Served

> Indicate below the number of students with disabilities according to
> conditions designated in the Individuals with Disabilities Education
> Act. Do not add additional categories.

\_[10]{.underline}\_\_\_Autism \_\_ [0 \_]{.underline} Orthopedic
Impairment

\_\_[0]{.underline} \_\_ Deafness \_\_[24]{.underline}\_\_Other Health
Impaired

\_\_[0]{.underline} \_\_Deaf-Blindness \_\_[45]{.underline}\_\_Specific
Learning Disability

\_\_[9]{.underline} \_\_ Emotional Disturbance
\_\_[11]{.underline}\_\_Speech or Language Impairment

\_\_[2]{.underline} \_\_ Hearing Impairment [\_\_ 0\_\_]{.underline}
Traumatic Brain Injury

> \_\_[5]{.underline} \_\_ Mental Retardation \_\_ [3]{.underline}\_\_
> Visual Impairment Including Blindness
>
> \_\_[0]{.underline} \_\_ Multiple Disabilities

11. Indicate number of full‑time and part‑time staff members in each of
    the categories below:

    **Number of Staff**

**[Full-time]{.underline}** **[Part-Time]{.underline}**

Administrator(s) [5]{.underline} [     ]{.underline}

Classroom teachers [95]{.underline} [3]{.underline}

Special resource teachers/specialists [8]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Counselors, Media, ISS)

Paraprofessionals [9]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> Support staff [9]{.underline} [     ]{.underline}
>
> Total number [126]{.underline} [3]{.underline}

12. Average school student-classroom teacher ratio, that is, the number
    of

students in the school divided by the FTE of classroom teachers, e.g.,
22:1 [17:1]{.underline}

13\. Show the attendance patterns of teachers and students as a
percentage. The student dropout rate is defined by the state. The
student drop-off rate is the difference between the number of entering
students and the number of exiting students from the same cohort. (From
the same cohort, subtract the number of exiting students from the number
of entering students; divide that number by the number of entering
students; multiply by 100 to get the percentage drop-off rate.) Briefly
explain in 100 words or fewer any major discrepancy between the dropout
rate and the drop-off rate. Only middle and high schools need to supply
dropout rates, and only high schools need to supply drop-off rates. Also
explain a high teacher turnover rate.

  ------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                            2005-2006   2004-2005   2003-2004   2002-2003   2001-2002

  Daily student attendance  95 %        96 %        96%         95 %        95 %

  Daily teacher attendance  92 %        96 %        94 %        93 %        93 %

  Teacher turnover rate     18 %        14 %        14 %        17 %        23 %

  Student dropout rate      2 %         1 %         1 %         2 %         1 %
  (middle/high)                                                             

  Student drop-off rate     2 %         3 %         2 %         4 %         3 %
  (high school)                                                             
  ------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

13. Show what the students who graduated in Spring 2006 are doing as of
    September 2007.

+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Graduating class size                                   | > [368]{.  |
|                                                         | underline} |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Enrolled in a 4-year college or university              | > [82]{.   |
|                                                         | underline} |
|                                                         | > %        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Enrolled in a community college                         | > [7]{.    |
|                                                         | underline} |
|                                                         | > %        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Enrolled in vocational training                         | > [5]{.    |
|                                                         | underline} |
|                                                         | > %        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Found employment                                        | > [4]{.    |
|                                                         | underline} |
|                                                         | > %        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Military service                                        | > [2]{.    |
|                                                         | underline} |
|                                                         | > %        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Other (travel, staying home, etc.)                      | > \        |
|                                                         | _\_\_\_\_% |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| Unknown                                                 | > \        |
|                                                         | _\_\_\_\_% |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+
| **Total**                                               | > 100 %    |
+---------------------------------------------------------+------------+

**PART III ‑ SUMMARY**

Legend suggests that the land on which our campus sits was once an
Indian burial ground. Named for the famous Creek Indian, Chief William
McIntosh, our high school emerged in 1982 as the second in our county.
Today our school system includes five comprehensive high schools, an
alternative school and an evening high school. McIntosh High still
strives to be chief in academic and extracurricular success.

Landlocked, facility expansion is limited; however, in the past three
years, we added a 1.4 million dollar gymnasium and physical education
facility and renovated the former gymnasium into a fine arts auditorium.
With approximately 1630 students in our learning environment daily, our
concerns focus on mundane issues like limited parking and crowded halls.
Parking nearly 400 student automobiles on campus each day may not be
unusual for a high school campus; however, the 300 student golf carts we
park on campus is a rather unique find. Our small city's population of
37,500 people offers five golf courses and 80 miles of golf cart paths
which enable movement about the city, hence the golf cart parking on our
campus.

The mission of our faculty and staff is simple. We strive to provide the
necessary opportunities, skills and knowledge to create successful,
lifelong learners. Our faculty has articulated six core beliefs:

-   Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social,
    emotional, and intellectual needs.

-   In addition to demonstrating their understanding of essential
    knowledge and skills, students also need to be actively involved in
    solving problems and producing quality work.

-   Teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community share
    the responsibility for advancing the school's mission.

-   Positive relationships and mutual respect among students and staff
    enhance student learning.

-   A relevant comprehensive and challenging curriculum sets high
    academic standards for all students.

-   As a faculty we focus on the learning and not only on the teaching.

The curriculum beyond the core subjects extends to opportunities in art,
music, foreign languages, technology, business education, family and
consumer sciences, construction, and healthcare science. MHS provides
opportunities for Advanced Placement coursework, and dual enrollment in
technical colleges, or in neighboring four-year colleges and
universities. Additionally we have a multilayered approach in support
for students who are not meeting goals for success. These include our
Quest Lab for extending or acceleration of learning with tutors, student
support services, and inclusion of special education students in the
regular classroom with learning support specialists and regular
education teachers sharing the classroom teaching and learning
environment. Extracurricular opportunities include twenty seven athletic
teams, thirty five clubs, competitive marching band, concert band, seven
chorus groups, orchestra, Ambassadors, Peer Leaders, and Principal's
Advisory Team.

Chief William McIntosh was the leader of his people for many years,
always trying to lead by fostering harmony with the government and
settlers of the state of Georgia. He was a cutting edge leader who
worked to bring his people the best. At McIntosh High School, we strive
to give our students the best education by leading with research based
strategies and programs and by teaching our students to be productive
citizens in the community of Peachtree City and beyond. McIntosh High
School has been honored in 1987 and in 2001 as a Georgia School of
Excellence. We are proud to be nominated as a National Blue Ribbon
School of Excellence. Our school's mission for our CHIEFS:

Commitment to

High standards of

Interpersonal and academic

Excellence

For the

Success of ALL students.

**PART IV -- INDICATORS OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS**

1.  **Assessment Results:** In Georgia, state assessments are the
    Georgia High School Graduation Test in math, science, English, and
    social studies (GHSGT) and the Georgia High School Graduation
    Writing Test (GHSWT). These tests are administered to juniors and
    are reported as percent of students passing for all first-time
    examinees. Score reports also disaggregate populations: students
    with disabilities, gender, ethnicity, and economically
    disadvantaged. Students must pass all parts of these
    criterion-referenced tests in order to graduate with a high school
    diploma.

The Governor's Office of Student Achievement awarded McIntosh a gold
award for the high percentage of students, 97.58 percent, meeting and
exceeding state standards in the 2005-2006 school year. As teachers
analyze testing data, instruction is designed to move students from
satisfying state standards to exceeding state standards. Specific
attention is given to disaggregated data in the social studies and
science domains with regard to the economically disadvantaged students
and students with disabilities. Our school's goal is to improve these
students' academic performance and move a higher percentage of the
students, presently less than 70 percent, to the exceeds state standards
category.

Implemented in 2004-2005, End-of-Course Tests are criterion-reference
tests which assess the statewide curriculum of specific high school
courses. The tests count as 15 percent of the student's course grade in
eight content areas: Algebra I, Geometry, Economics, 9^th^ grade
English, 11^th^ grade English, Physical Science, Biology, and US
History.

2.  **Using Assessment Results:** Georgia High School Graduation and
    End-of-Course test results are analyzed to develop department goals
    for each content area. Teachers evaluate the strands to determine
    areas of deficiency and plan instruction to address the curricular
    needs. The departments work collaboratively to create a school-wide
    focus and to implement strategies to strengthen student performance.
    CRCT, PSAT, and SAT scores are analyzed for placement of students in
    appropriate coursework and/or programs of study, including Advanced
    Placement, remedial, and study skills classes. Data is also analyzed
    to identify patterns in student failures and successes;
    interventions such as creating an additional math support class to
    remediate weaknesses are implemented. Technology generated data from
    AP Potential assists teachers in the enrollment process of students
    in Advanced Placement classes.

County-level curriculum coordinators assess data to assist departments
in making curricular decisions and improving instructional strategies
and activities that focus on students' weaknesses. Disaggregated data
provides information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of special
populations. The guidance department evaluates student progress through
school grade reports, conducting parent-teacher conferences and
counseling students who are struggling academically. An orientation to
the Quest Lab's tutorial programs is provided to students new to
McIntosh, who are identified by the guidance department as at-risk.
Seminars for freshman students and their parents are conducted quarterly
by the Quest Lab, in addition to the distribution of the booklet, *How
to Make Good Grades in High School*. Parents of students who are failing
a minimum of one class on the mid-semester grade report are invited to
an academic strategies program conducted by the administration and
guidance staff; eighty-four families attended the most recent session.

**3. Communicating Assessment Results:** Assessment data describing
McIntosh High School's success and academic achievement is communicated
using multiple strategies to inform students, parents, and the
community. Daily in classrooms, teacher-designed assessments are used to
provide students feedback on their progress. This year's implementation
of an internet based grading program, MyGradebook.com, allows students
and parents twenty-four hour access to student's grades and teachers'
feedback. Formal progress reports or report cards are distributed every
four and a half weeks.

Standardized test scores are mailed to parents or are given to the
students in sessions with a counselor who provides assistance in the
interpretation and use of these scores. Conferences and parent-student
seminars are additional ways in which we communicate messages regarding
student performance and assessment results. The Guidance Department
conducts parent informational meetings for each class: four year plans
for freshmen, PSAT analysis with sophomores, SAT and ACT , Georgia High
School Graduation Test and End-of-Course-Test preparation with juniors
and transition to the post secondary setting with seniors.

Group data is available on the Georgia Department of Education web-site,
through our school system web-site, and on our school web-site. We use
newsletter columns, School Council meetings, PTSO meetings, and the
school profile pamphlet that is distributed through the Guidance
Department as part of "New Student" packets to report to the
stakeholders.

**4. Sharing Success:** Sharing successes is one way we can pay it
forward and share with other schools strategies that work for McIntosh
High School. Locally we share with other high schools through regular
monthly meetings of principals, assistant principals, guidance
counselors, and academic department chairs. An annual administrative
retreat provides opportunities for all county administrators and
curriculum central office personnel to share ideas and programs. As
members of the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, our
administrative team attends quarterly meetings to collaborate and
network with high school administrators from six surrounding counties.
Administrators' involvement in the Georgia Leadership Institute for
School Improvement, Aspiring Principals Participating in Leadership
Enhancement, County Mentoring and Administrative Internship programs,
and in various county-level committees provide opportunities for
sharing, modeling, and promoting success in the county and state.

In the state and national arenas, our administrative team has presented
during the last five years at the Georgia Association of Secondary
School Principals conference and Technical Preparation conference.
English department members have shared at the Georgia and National
Council of Teachers of English conferences. McIntosh math teachers have
presented at the annual Georgia Math conference in Rock Eagle. Science
teachers have presented at Georgia Science Teacher Association's state
conference. Members of our social studies department have participated
in federal teaching American History grants, including "Linking American
History" and "Creating a Nation" programs, where they were able to share
ideas and learn from other history teachers in collaboration with
tri-county schools. Guidance Department members have presented at the
Georgia School Counselors state conference and have been instrumental in
promoting data-driven counseling programs in our county and state.

**PART V -- CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION**

1.  **Curriculum:** McIntosh High School's core curriculum includes
    foreign language, social studies, math, science, and English.
    Electives in the areas of fine arts, physical education and career
    technical offerings are available for student selection. Classes are
    offered through the traditional sixth period day, nine weeks grading
    period, and two semesters per year schedule.

The basic curriculum is enhanced as we offer accelerated learning
opportunities for students who choose to take Advanced Placement courses
in US History, European History, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Statistics, Calculus, Spanish, Art, English Literature and
English Language. Seventeen percent of the student population is
enrolled in one to five Advanced Placement classes; with an average of
75 percent of the students scoring a three or higher. Students are
offered the opportunity to be dually enrolled in neighboring colleges
including The University of West Georgia, Georgia State University,
Clayton State University, Gordon College, and Griffin Technical College.
Additionally, students may choose to complete a maximum of eight on-line
courses during their four year tenure at McIntosh to either accelerate
their learning or accommodate course work they are not able to schedule
in their daily schedule.

For students who struggle with success in the basic curriculum,
additional support is available through study skills classes and in our
Quest Lab tutorial program. Support is offered for our special needs
population through resource classes, collaborative instruction in the
regular education classroom, and consultative services. Support services
are determined by the IEP teams at annual meetings. Also available for
our students is the opportunity to take classes at our Fayette County
Evening High School for credit recovery.

French, German, Latin and Spanish are the four foreign languages offered
at McIntosh. A minimum of 92 percent of our students enroll in the
foreign language program with approximately 40 percent of that
population furthering their study in a third and/or fourth year. Helping
students become humane, rational, participating citizens in a democratic
society with an emphasis on critical thinking as students relate the
past to the future is the goal of our social studies department. The
development of logical thinking and problem solving skills with an
emphasis on real world applications is the focus of our math curriculum.
Investigations, research, and demonstrations supplement teacher-directed
instruction in our science classrooms. Students are engaged in
inquiry-based learning to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate data to
prove hypotheses. Strategic skills for these departments include
developing competency in reading and interpreting charts and graphs.
English classrooms engage students in speaking, listening, reading, and
writing tasks that are designed to support and extend the school-wide
curriculum. Analyzing literature, writing business letters, creating
resumes, and writing persuasive essays assist students in their pursuit
of post-secondary options. Writing is emphasized in all content areas.

Elective course offerings provide opportunities for students to develop
talents or pursue areas of interest. Students can choose from several
levels of band, chorus, or orchestra classes, as well as music theory in
the fine arts department. Speech, debate, and drama offer versatility
for those excelling in the communicative arts. Art class offerings
include drawing, painting, sculpture and visual arts. Physical Education
classes encourage fitness for life. Graduation requirements include a
minimum of one semester of health and one semester of personal fitness.
The Career Technical department offers classes in Family and Consumer
Science, Business, Graphic Arts, Construction, Healthcare Science, and
Technology. Additionally this department offers a new Teacher Cadet
class and Youth Apprentice opportunities.

Rigor, relevance and relationship building is the philosophy of Bill
Daggett and the Model Schools Consortium. McIntosh students, faculty,
and community embrace and support the high standards and pursuit of
excellence embodied in this philosophy in our day to day practices.

**2b**. **(Secondary Schools)** **English:** Adhering to our Georgia
Performance Standards curriculum, which was revised and implemented in
the 2005-2006 school year, our English department seeks to teach with a
variety of strategies. The 9^th^ and 10^th^ grade curriculum uses a
world literature survey curriculum while seeking to teach speaking,
listening, reading and writing skills. The 11^th^ grade curriculum is
focused on American literature, and the 12^th^ grade curriculum is
taught through British literature. Reading a variety of grade
appropriate and challenging material, students learn important
vocabulary and stylistic devices and learn how to critically analyze the
literature looking for meaning and finding relevance to their lives.
Students learn to write effectively according to purpose and audience.
Each grade has a research component which is a major portion of their
summative assessment. Teachers in our English department also use a
program written and published by one of our former teachers called Daily
Grammar Practice to enhance the student's knowledge of grammar and its
correct usage in the written and spoken language.

Students who have demonstrated a reading deficiency on standardized
tests are enrolled in a reading class embedded within a ninth grade
English course. Tutorial services are available before and after school,
offered in a learning lab or by individual teachers. ESOL sheltered
English classes are provided to assist students for whom English is not
their first language. A combination of these components result in
success for our students on the End-of-Course-Test administered in
English in ninth and eleventh grades contributing to a 97 percent
passing rate. Furthermore, English competency is demonstrated on the
state writing test where students achieve a 96 percent first time
success rate.

3.  **Additional Curriculum Area:** McIntosh High School science
    department seeks to teach students to use the scientific method in
    their everyday problem solving. Students participate in a variety of
    labs in each science area to learn to use microscopes, to learn
    through dissections and to use biotechnology equipment. Outdoor
    classroom experiences and web based learning increases inquiry
    learning and student-based discovery. Microbiology, Anatomy and
    Physiology, Environmental Science, and Oceanography are science
    elective courses offered in addition to the standard Physical
    Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses. Skill building in
    the areas of analysis, calculation, estimation, and comparisons is
    an essential component to the science literacy taught at McIntosh
    High School.

Students in our science department demonstrate their learning through
participation in the Science Fair, participation in the Science Olympiad
program, and by serving the community through the Adopt-A-Stream
program. Recently our city changed the way the city's water supply is
managed based on MHS student research and data collection presented at
the city council meeting. The Environmental Club manages a recycling
program throughout the school. Through hands on and application based
learning, our science students relate to real world and real life.

4.  **Instructional Methods:** The implementation of research-based
    instructional strategies to enhance student learning has been the
    focus of our school's improvement plan for the last three years.
    School-wide study of *Classroom* *Instruction That Works* by Robert
    Marzano launched our implementation. Our faculty and staff believe
    we should use a variety of learning and assessment tools to
    differentiate instruction to insure success for all students.
    Walking into our classrooms, one might see direct instruction,
    discussion, lab assignments, demonstrations, cooperative groups,
    project presentations, internet research, or Socratic seminars.
    Common tools of assessment would be found in the English and Science
    departments as they have developed rubrics to use in grading student
    work. Technology utilization is common in all classrooms. PowerPoint
    presentations, Smart Boards, and computer assisted instruction
    allows teachers to provide 21^st^ century instruction in our
    classrooms. Five computer labs and one mobile laptop lab with
    wireless internet capacity are available for students and teachers.
    Our website has teacher links where teachers post notes or
    PowerPoints as well as assignments for students to access.

Portfolios, research projects, and performances are common assessments
used in conjunction with traditional testing. Common rubrics developed
by individual departments provide students with uniformity in and
understanding of the assessment tool.

5.  **Professional Development:** Professional Development is an
    integral part of what we do as teachers. As we expect students to be
    lifelong learners, we should expect no less of ourselves as we
    continue to perfect our art. For the past three years, our school
    improvement plan and professional development plans have been
    linked. Our departments create school wide goals which support
    district goals. Each department looks at how to support teachers in
    meeting school wide goals. Each teacher then creates his/her own
    professional development plan within his/her portfolio. Professional
    development is individual, site based, or curriculum directed.

At the school level, our professional development begins with mentoring
new teachers. In addition to an individual mentor, our new teachers meet
monthly as a group to have a forum for learning. Site-based courses are
designed to help teachers with site-based goals. Examples of courses
taught at our school in the last few years are Classroom Management, Lab
Safety, Effective Practices, Web Design, and numerous book studies. Once
a month teachers meet during their planning periods with an
administrator to focus on school wide issues including the
implementation of our safety plan, child abuse reporting, or
instructional issues.

At the county level, the focus of professional learning has been the
implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards. Each curriculum
area has an "unpacking" year and an implementation year for their
standards. Our district has curriculum coordinators for each area who
have been instrumental in helping teachers make the paradigm shift from
content standards to performance standards. Many hours of professional
development have been devoted to this shift in teaching strategies.

Individually our teachers are encouraged to attend their content area
state and national conventions; duty coverage, travel expenses, and
registration fees are absorbed through our professional development
funds. Professional development funds have provided approximately
\$13,000 for thirty-three teachers to attend national conferences during
the current year. Attendees at conferences return to the school setting
and share their acquired knowledge with other teachers.

**PART VII - ASSESSMENT RESULTS**

**GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST**

Subject [English/LA]{.underline}

Grade [11]{.underline}

  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                       2005-2006   2004-2005   2003-2004   2002-2003   2001-2002

  Testing month                        March       March       March       March       March

  **SCHOOL SCORES\***                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State           99          98          98          96          99
  Standards\*                                                                          

  \% At Exceeds State Standards\*      88          82          89          83          78

  Number of students tested            364         370         356         301         352

  Percent of total students tested     100         100         100         100         

  Number of students alternatively     0           0           0                       
  assessed                                                                             

  Percent of students alternatively    0           0           0                       
  assessed                                                                             

                                                                                       

  SUBGROUP SCORES                                                                      

  1\. [Female]{.underline} (specify                                                    
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 100         99          92          99          98

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        91          86          90          83          80

  Number of students tested            178         187         195         168         169

  2\. [Male]{.underline} (specify                                                      
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 98          98          99          98          100

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        86          79          88          83          81

  Number of students tested            186         183         161         133         151

  3\. [Economically                                                                    
  Disadvantaged]{.underline}                                                           

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 87          87          92          \-          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        56          60          67          \-          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          15          12          \-          \-

  4\. [Students with                                                                   
  Disabilities]{.underline}                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 100         89          83          82          100

  \% Exceeds State Standards           38          44          52          29          67

  Number of Students Tested            16          27          23          17          21

  5\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Asian]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 94          90          93          100         93

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        82          52          73          86          \-

  Number of Students Tested            17          21          15          22          14

  6\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Black]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 100         97          92          96          99

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        67          72          76          79          69

  Number of Students Tested            27          32          25          24          16

  7\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Hispanic]{.underline}                                                               

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 94          100         \-          85          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        81          77          \-          64          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          13          \-          17          \-

  8\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [White]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 99          99          99          100         98

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        91          86          91          85          82

  Number of Students Tested            299         296         304         234         274

                                                                                       
  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

\* Denotes first time test takers

**GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST**

[Subject Math]{.underline}

[Grade 11]{.underline}

  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                       2005-2006   2004-2005   2003-2004   2002-2003   2001-2002

  Testing month                        March       March       March       March       March

  **SCHOOL SCORES\***                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State           98          98          98          99          97
  Standards\*                                                                          

  \% At Exceeds State Standards\*      85          82          85          79          78

  Number of students tested            365         371         357         300         352

  Percent of total students tested     100         100         100         100         

  Number of students alternatively     0           0           0           0           
  assessed                                                                             

  Percent of students alternatively    0           0           0           0           
  assessed                                                                             

                                                                                       

  SUBGROUP SCORES                                                                      

  1\. [Female]{.underline} (specify                                                    
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 99          98          98          98          98

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        84          80          82          80          81

  Number of students tested            178         187         195         195         168

  2\. [Male]{.underline} (specify                                                      
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 99          98          98          99          98

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        87          85          90          76          82

  Number of students tested            187         184         162         131         152

  3\. [Economically                                                                    
  Disadvantaged]{.underline}                                                           

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 88          87          100         93          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        63          40          46          40          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          15          13          15          \-

  4\. [Students with                                                                   
  Disabilities]{.underline}                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 81          82          78          82          100

  \% Exceeds State Standards           50          41          39          29          67

  Number of Students Tested            16          27          23          17          21

  5\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Asian]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 100         100         93          100         93

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        82          81          93          86          \-

  Number of Students Tested            17          21          15          22          14

  6\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Black]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 96          94          96          96          99

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        48          50          56          79          69

  Number of Students Tested            27          32          25          24          16

  7\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Hispanic]{.underline}                                                               

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 88          100         \-          85          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        69          77          \-          64          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          13          \-          14          \-

  8\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [White]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 99          98          99          100         98

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        90          87          89          85          82

  Number of Students Tested            300         297         305         234         274
  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

**GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST**

[Subject Science]{.underline}

[Grade 11]{.underline}

  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                       2005-2006   2004-2005   2003-2004   2002-2003   2001-2002

  Testing month                        March       March       March       March       March

  **SCHOOL SCORES\***                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State           93          89          89          92          91
  Standards\*                                                                          

  \% At Exceeds State Standards\*      52          41          40          45          26

  Number of students tested            365         370         357         297         352

  Percent of total students tested     100                                             

  Number of students alternatively     0                                               
  assessed                                                                             

  Percent of students alternatively    0                                               
  assessed                                                                             

                                                                                       

  SUBGROUP SCORES                                                                      

  1\. [Female]{.underline} (specify                                                    
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 93          85          84          93          89

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        49          32          36          44          22

  Number of students tested            178         186         193         166         169

  2\. [Male]{.underline} (specify                                                      
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 94          92          95          91          95

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        55          51          46          46          33

  Number of students tested            187         184         164         131         152

  3\. [Economically                                                                    
  Disadvantaged]{.underline}                                                           

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 63          67          69          93          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        19          13          15          31          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          15          13          13          \-

  4\. [Students with                                                                   
  Disabilities]{.underline}                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 56          67          50          51          86

  \% Exceeds State Standards           25          26          21          13          19

  Number of Students Tested            16          27          24          16          21

  5\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Asian]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 82          81          73          96          93

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        41          24          60          29          \-

  Number of Students Tested            17          21          15          21          14

  6\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Black]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 74          72          56          84          81

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        11          16          24          42          \-

  Number of Students Tested            27          32          25          24          16

  7\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Hispanic]{.underline}                                                               

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 82          77          \-          85          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        44          8           \-          31          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          13          \-          13          \-

  8.. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [White]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 96          92          93          93          93

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        57          46          42          47          29

  Number of Students Tested            300         297         305         232         275
  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

**GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST**

[Subject Social Studies]{.underline}

[Grade 11]{.underline}

  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                       2005-2006   2004-2005   2003-2004   2002-2003   2001-2002

  Testing month                        March       March       March       March       March

  **SCHOOL SCORES\***                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State           98          97          97          95          97
  Standards\*                                                                          

  \% At Exceeds State Standards\*      77          74          68          59          56

  Number of students tested            365         370         357         292         352

  Percent of total students tested     100         100         100         100         

  Number of students alternatively     0           0           0           0           
  assessed                                                                             

  Percent of students alternatively    0           0           0           0           
  assessed                                                                             

                                                                                       

  SUBGROUP SCORES                                                                      

  1\. [Female]{.underline} (specify                                                    
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 98          96          97          94          97

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        74          71          59          59          52

  Number of students tested            178         186         194         161         168

  2\. [Male]{.underline} (specify                                                      
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 97          97          97          97          98

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        80          76          79          59          67

  Number of students tested            187         184         163         131         152

  3\. [Economically                                                                    
  Disadvantaged]{.underline}                                                           

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 69          73          100         92          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        44          40          46          38          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          15          13          13          \-

  4\. [Students with                                                                   
  Disabilities]{.underline}                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 76          81          83          65          100

  \% Exceeds State Standards           38          48          25          24          38

  Number of Students Tested            16          27          24          17          21

  5\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Asian]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 95          91          80          100         100

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        71          48          67          38          29

  Number of Students Tested            17          21          15          21          14

  6\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Black]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 96          87          92          91          100

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        44          31          32          52          44

  Number of Students Tested            27          32          25          23          16

  7\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Hispanic]{.underline}                                                               

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 88          100         \-          85          \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        50          69          \-          54          \-

  Number of Students Tested            16          13          \-          13          \-

  8\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [White]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 98          98          99          96          98

  \% At Exceeds State Standards        82          80          72          62          64

  Number of Students Tested            300         297         305         228         274
  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

**GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST**

[Subject Writing]{.underline}

[Grade 11]{.underline}

  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                       2005-2006   2004-2005   2003-2004   2002-2003   2001-2002

  Testing month                        Sept.       Sept.       Sept.       Sept.       Sept.

  **SCHOOL SCORES\***                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State           97          95          97          97          92
  Standards\*                                                                          

  \% At Exceeds State Standards\*      91                                              

  Number of students tested            362         387         350         313         354

  Percent of total students tested     100                                             

  Number of students alternatively     0                                               
  assessed                                                                             

  Percent of students alternatively    0                                               
  assessed                                                                             

                                                                                       

  SUBGROUP SCORES                                                                      

  1\. [Female]{.underline} (specify                                                    
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 99          95          96          99          93

  \% At Exceeds State Standards                                                        

  Number of students tested            177         198         192         164         165

  2\. [Male]{.underline} (specify                                                      
  subgroup)                                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 94          94          97          97          95

  \% At Exceeds State Standards                                                        

  Number of students tested            185         189         158         135         148

  3\. [Economically                                                                    
  Disadvantaged]{.underline}                                                           

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 75          58          86          92          

  \% At Exceeds State Standards                                                        

  Number of Students Tested            16          24          14          13          \-

  4\. [Students with                                                                   
  Disabilities]{.underline}                                                            

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 93          67          78          83          88

  \% Exceeds State Standards                                                           

  Number of Students Tested            15          30          27          18          17

  5\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Asian]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 88          95          82          100         86

  \% At Exceeds State Standards                                                        

  Number of Students Tested            17          19          11          21          14

  6\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Black]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 90          88          84          92          81

  \% At Exceeds State Standards                                                        

  Number of Students Tested            30          40          25          25          16

  7\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [Hispanic]{.underline}                                                               

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 83          78          \-          100         \-

  \% At Exceeds State Standards                                \-                      \-

  Number of Students Tested            12          18          \-          10          \-

  8\. Ethnic Subgroups                                                                 
  [White]{.underline}                                                                  

  \% At or Above Meets State Standards 98          96          99                      

  \% At Exceeds State Standards                                                        

  Number of Students Tested            299         302         299                     
  ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------