Administration and faculty members at W-WCHS posing with the schools Governor’s Cup award are (seated, l-r) Renee Crisp, Donny Swinson, Beth Jackson, (back) Lillian Booker, Don Bridges, Principal Andrew Jackson, Belle Guin, Steve Echols, Marsha Willis, and Marilyn Tate. TheNewsThe students of WashingtonWilkes Comprehensive High School have again been recognized for their achievements, this time winning the prestigious Governor’s Cup for top regional SAT score improvement.

“Your students have averaged the largest gains in SAT scores over the last 3 years,” said Governor Sonny Perdue in a letter to the school. “I am very proud of all the hard work of your faculty, staff, and most importantly the students. You are all to be commended for your efforts.”

A regional champion trophy and $1,000 grant were awarded to the school, one of 35 high schools that have the largest numerical improvement in SAT scores in their respective regions.

“These schools are to be congratulated for leading the way in SAT improvement. They are an example of all the hard work going on across the state to raise student achievement and give more Georgians access to better opportunities after high school,” said Georgia school Superintendent Kathy Cox.

Wilkes County students improved their average SAT from 926.2 three years ago, to 960.2 the following year, and to 980.6 this year. The average improvement was 27.2 points.

Comparable SAT averages in the surrounding counties include Glascock County with 959, Lincoln County with 910, Warren County with 786, and Hancock with 759.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is a partner in the Governor’s Cup, providing all grants and trophies to the winning schools. For the last two years, Turner Broadcasting has provided all Georgia high schools in the Georgia High School Association with SAT preparation materials.

In his letter, Gov. Perdue issued a challenge to the students of WWCHS. “As a school at the top, I now challenge you to share the methods and tools you used in raising SAT scores with other high schools in your area.”

Governor Perdue initiated the statewide competition in 2003 as part of an overall effort to raise Georgia’s SAT scores. The Governor’s Cup challenge is based on high school athletic regions and classifications previously assigned by the Georgia High School Association. The schools in each division with the highest three-year-average increase in SAT scores won the statewide challenge.

“I am extremely proud of what these five schools have accomplished, said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The teachers, students, parents and administrators have worked hard to bring up SAT scores, and they deserve to be recognized for their outstanding achievement.”

Each of the state’s winning high schools will be awarded a Governor’s Cup trophy and a $2,000 grant. The winning schools include:

Schley Middle High School Schley County Class A

Dade County High School Dade County Class AA

Academy of Richmond County High School Richmond County AAA

Madison County High School Madison County AAAA

Northview High School Fulton County AAAAA