Nearly 90% of Newton County Schools Have Improved Performance; 25% of Schools Improved by Double Digits
A few months ago, Newton County Schools shared its year-over-year CCRPI gains from the 2024–2025 school year, representing an important snapshot of progress. Today, the district is stepping back to examine a broader, more telling view of what has happened over time.
Three years ago, the Newton County Board of Education made a clear decision to strengthen the district’s instructional core in service of improved student outcomes. Viewed across that three-year span, the results are encouraging to say the least.
Since 2023, 21 of Newton County’s 24 schools (87.5%) have improved their College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) ratings. Six schools (25%) have achieved double-digit gains, a threshold the district identifies as breakthrough results:
- Cousins Middle School: +13.3 points
- Liberty Middle School: +12.7 points
- Livingston Elementary School: +12.0 points
- Heard-Mixon Elementary School: +11.6 points
- Rocky Plains Elementary School: +10.5 points
- Indian Creek Middle School: +10.1 points
Note: Porterdale Elementary School also posted a notable +9.9-point increase.
CCRPI is the state’s comprehensive accountability measure for schools. It reflects how well schools are performing across key areas such as academic achievement, student growth, progress toward closing achievement gaps, and readiness for college and careers. At its core, CCRPI answers two essential questions: How well are our schools performing? and Are they improving over time?
While year-over-year, 1-year results provide a useful snapshot, a three-year view offers something more significant. It reveals whether improvement is consistent and systemwide. It helps distinguish between short-term gains and lasting progress. By that measure, Newton County’s trajectory is positive.
“What we are seeing now are early but meaningful signs of improved – not perfect - coherence taking hold across our system,” said Superintendent Duke Bradley. “This is what it looks like when a district commits, not to isolated initiatives, but to strengthening what happens between teachers and students every day.”
That commitment has centered on building upon existing strengths while integrating research-based instructional practices known to improve student learning. Rather than replacing what was working, the district refined it to bring greater consistency and clarity to classroom instruction across schools.
The work has also required reflection.
“There were moments when we moved too quickly or attempted to do too much at once,” Bradley said. “In those moments, we listened to our teachers, to our leaders - those closest to the work, and we adjusted.”
“This work has not been easy, and it has not always been comfortable, and we certainly don’t have everything figured out,” he said. “But in a relatively short period of time, we have done a great deal. We’ve observed every school in our district, established a teacher advisory group to help guide our direction, audited our resources — removing what wasn’t working and strengthening what was — and made key leadership changes.
For the Newton County community, the implications are significant. Stronger schools expand opportunity for students and contribute to the long-term vitality of the county.
At the center of these gains are Newton County’s teachers and school leaders whose efforts have translated strategy into impact. Their work has been supported by the focused leadership of the Newton County Board of Education as well, whose commitment to strengthening instruction has anchored the district’s direction over time.
As the district reflects on its progress, leaders remain clear-eyed about the path ahead.
“We are proud of what these results represent,” Bradley said. “But more importantly, we are focused on what comes next -- ensuring that this progress continues, deepens, and reaches every classroom, for every student.”