By Kathryn Purcell
Managing Editor

With two schools recently receiving awards, recognition isn't in short supply for the Morgan County School System.
   

Morgan County Elementary School was granted a Platinum Achievement Award by the Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA).
   

According to Superintendent Stan DeJarnett, platinum is the highest level of achievement awarded by the GOSA; to receive a Platinum Achievement Award, a school must average 95 percent of students passing state tests in all subject areas, have 35 percent of students scoring in the "Exceeds" category and make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) 3 years in a row.
   

Additionally, the school hasn't previously received a platinum award.
   

"Only very few schools receive this award," DeJarnett said.
   

"That's a big deal; that's a very, very high bar."
   

Further, Morgan County Middle School was recognized by the National Middle School Association (NMSA) as being a "Lighthouse School to Watch."
   

The recognition began with a two-day visit a month ago, where NMSA representatives visited the school and interviewed administration, teachers and students, according to DeJarnett. There are 160 middle schools in the nation that have been recognized as a Lighthouse School to Watch; Morgan County Middle School is number 161, DeJarnett said.
   

"Both schools' teachers worked very, very hard to earn this," DeJarnett said.