15 Richmond County Schools Receive State’s Highest PBIS Recognition

The Georgia Department of Education named 15 schools in the Richmond County School System as Distinguished PBIS Schools for 2024-2025. This marks the state's top honor for schools showing steady use of practices that encourage good behavior and cut down on disruptions.

"Earning the Distinguished designation means these schools are not only implementing PBIS with fidelity, but also seeing real results in student behavior, attendance, and overall school climate," said Marcus Allen, deputy superintendent of operations, per WRDW. "We're grateful to our principals, teachers, and staff for the commitment it takes to do this work well every day."

Honored schools include Bayvale Elementary, Blythe Elementary, Copeland Elementary, Diamond Lakes Elementary, Goshen Elementary, Hephzibah High School, Jamestown Elementary, Jenkins-White Elementary, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, Lamar-Milledge Elementary, Monte Sano Elementary, Pine Hill Middle, W.S. Hornsby Elementary, Warren Road Elementary, and Wheeless Road Elementary.

Schools must fully implement PBIS and have strong outcomes in attendance, behavior, learning performance, and school climate to earn the designation. PBIS is a data-driven system that fits into Georgia's Multi-Tiered System of Supports. It aims to improve behavior, build better school conditions, and boost time spent learning.

Four other schools in the district earned Operational status. These were Gracewood Elementary, Hephzibah Middle, Richmond Hill Elementary, and Wilkinson Gardens Elementary.

All remaining schools in the system got recognition at the Emerging tier. The tiered system lets schools at different stages get credit for their work.