Memphis, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) released its annual Reward Schools list today. Shelby County Schools (SCS) has 39 schools on the Reward list, which is composed of the top 5 percent of schools in the state for academic achievement and the top 5 percent for student growth. SCS has six more schools on the Reward list than the combined legacy districts had a year ago. 

Middle College High School is the only school in Shelby County to make the Reward list for both progress and performance and one of only 17 in Tennessee.  

“Today we celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our principals, teachers, staffs and students at these 39 Reward Schools,” SCS Superintendent Dorsey Hopson said. “The progress we've highlighted this week is extremely encouraging, with 15 schools coming off the Priority list and now increasing our total of Reward Schools. We have very ambitious strategic goals for this District, and this news provides momentum to address the challenges we still face in helping all schools reach similar heights."

The TDOE interviewed all Reward Schools to compile best practices for schools across the state. “Learning From The Best: Promising Practices from Tennessee’s 2013 Reward Schools” identifies themes and promising practices in leadership, instruction and school climate.

A complete list of 2014 Reward Schools is available here. School-level achievement data is available here.