Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES) has earned the distinction of being designated as a 2010 ‘No Excuses” school by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation (GPPF). The facility was one of 35 schools across the state achieving the honor.

The selection of ‘No Excuses’ schools is based upon the GPPF’s Report Card for Parents. This year’s report ranked elementary schools based on third and fifth grade test scores. In the report, JCES was ranked as 213 in the state overall for fifth grade academic achievement out 1,212 elementary schools.

‘No Excuses’ schools have above-average percentages of low income students with significantly higher academic scores than statistics project. The schools are recognized for demonstrating the positive effect qualified and motivated teachers and leadership can have on all students.

“The leadership and faculty in these schools know that a good education is the difference between a childhood of poverty and a lifetime of poverty. They demand academic achievements; they accept no excuses; and they’re rewarded with student success,” said Kelly McCutchen, president of the GPPF.

A ‘No Excuses’ school has a poverty rate above the state average of 51 percent, meets Adequate Yearly Progress and has a Poverty Indication of 2 or above.