Innovation in public secondary education is observed in programs such as magnet schools. Magnet schools enable students to focus on special areas of study and accelerate their learning in areas of arts, languages, health professions and science and technology.

Davidson is a fine arts center, which allows 735 artistically talented students, in grades 5-12 to enhance their creativity through classes in music, dance, drama, art, and creative writing. Davidson has been ranked highest for excellence among magnet schools by the U. S. Department of Education for academic focus and integration of the fine arts. In 1995 Davidson was named a Georgia School of Excellence and Davidson was recognized as the number one high school in the State of Georgia consecutively in the 1996/97 & 1997/98 School years. In the April, 1996, issue, Redbook magazine cited Davidson Fine Arts School as one of 155 of the Nation's Best Schools in its fifth annual America's Best Schools project. In 1999-2000, Davidson Fine Arts School was again recognized as number one in the state of Georgia.

C.T. Walker, a traditional magnet school, houses 658 students grades kindergarten through eighth. The school provides an educational setting dedicated to the development of basic skills in language arts and mathematics, the development of higher order thinking skills, and content area knowledge and application.

A.R. Johnson High School focuses on health sciences and engineering, from grades 9-12th. Among the courses of study, students may choose: architecture, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, technology, medical lab, and engineering. Johnson has a student body of approximately 500 and as such is able to provide much individual attention to students in all curriculum areas.

GEORGIA'S SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE

The U.S. Department of Education sponsors the Georgia Schools of Excellence (SOE) Program, which identifies and honors successful public schools throughout the state. This program is not a ranking of the schools in Georgia, but instead an attempt to recognize outstanding programs from all the state’s districts.

Each local school district is invited to nominate one elementary, one middle or junior high, and one high school to the program, which is organized by Congressional Districts.

The schools are chosen according to excellence in eight categories:

1. Student focus and support
2. School organization and culture
3. Challenging standards and curriculum
4. Active teaching and learning
5. Professional communities
6. Leadership and organizational vitality
7. School, family and community partnerships
8. Indicators of success

AUGUSTA'S SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE

YEAR	SCHOOL	COUNTY
1999	Goshen Elementary School	Richmond
1999	Tutt Middle School	Richmond
1995	Davidson Fine Arts School	Richmond
1993	Spirit Creek Middle School	Richmond
1988	Academy of Richmond County	Richmond
1986	Warren Road Elementary	Richmond
2001	Riverside Middle	Columbia
1999	Lakeside High School	Columbia
1994	Evans High School	Columbia
1989	Harlem High School	Columbia
1986	Evans Middle School	Columbia
1984	Columbia Middle School	Columbia
1984	Evans High School	Columbia
2001	Waynesboro Primary School	Burke

PERCENTAGE OF GRADUATES ELIGIBLE FOR HOPE SCHOLARSHIP

Columbia County	57.5
Richmond County	54.0
Burke County	30.0

AUGUSTA COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES ENROLLMENT & GRADUATES

The University System of Georgia is the fourth largest in the nation. The University System of Georgia and other affiliates offer students higher education options at 13 institutions within a 150-mile radius of Augusta. These institutions offer a wide range of academic programming, including certificates, associates, baccalaureate, masters, doctoral and professional degrees.

PRIVATE EDUCATION

Private education in Richmond and Columbia counties provide specific structures and curricula to many students rounding out an enticing education infrastructure. The counties are served by over 13 private schools, special denominations schools, most of which are affiliated with religious organizations, with a strong student enrollment of 800 and grade levels vary from school to school.

With the level of a solid scholastic foundation, private education makes the grade and has garnered high marks for innovation to internationally renowned universities.

Learning is a top priority, and it shows. SAT scores rank above the national and state averages, with an average of 1,115. The percentage of students attending college after graduation is above the national and state average; 89.9% of the students in private education attend college.

FORT DISCOVERY

The National Science Center's Fort Discovery uses innovative, hands-on technology to spark interest in math and science. Fort Discovery's 270 interactive exhibits play an integral part in the infrastructure for learning in our community. Situated in a 128,000 square foot, high-technical facility located on Riverwalk Augusta, Fort Discovery is just a short distance from the downtown business district and medical facilities.

The mission of the National Science Center is to develop understanding and skills in the areas of math and science, with a focus on communications, electronics and computer technology. The excitement of discovery is carried across the nation through a variety of outreach programs that include a pair of mobile discovery centers, original satellite educational programming, and video teleconferencing capabilities.

GIFTED PROGRAMS

Gifted programs are available in elementary, middle and high schools, which are designed to challenge and stimulate advanced students.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM

The International Baccalaureate Program, (expected to begin in the 2003-2004 school year) housed at The Academy of Richmond County, will (a) provide students from throughout Richmond County with a superlative, world-accredited preparation for college, (b) Prepare students to think critically and to become active members of the local and worldwide community, (c) Pit our students in direct academic competition with students of nearly every nation in the world. The Pre-International Baccalaureate program (The Pre-IB program) covers only 9th and 10th grades.

The Pre-International Baccalaureate program (which began in August 2001) consists of a very rigorous curriculum, grounding in math, science, social studies, English and a foreign language as a preparation for student participation in the IB diploma program, which is being developed for the 2003-2004 school year.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT & HONORS (APH)

Advanced placement and honors courses are available to students who accelerate in their studies. These classes allow students to receive college credit after passing a college-based exam. Students are prepared for the rigors of college and university course work.

GOVERNOR’S HONORS PROGRAM

The Governor’s Honors Program is a six-week summer instructional program. The program is designed for gifted and artistically talented junior and seniors. The program is challenging and provides an enriching educational opportunity. The program is designed to give the student the opportunity to obtain the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become independent and life-long learners.

The program is conducted at the Valdosta State University campus in Valdosta, Georgia during the summer months of June and July. The instructional areas are English (communications arts), foreign languages, mathematics, science, social studies, visual art, theatre, music, dance, design, technology and executive management, computers, counseling, library/media and physical fitness.