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The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) has officially released its annual "Beating the Odds" (BTO) analysis, highlighting ten standout public schools within the Floyd County Schools system that have outperformed statistical academic expectations.

The Beating the Odds designation is a statistical analysis that evaluates a school's actual College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score against a predicted model. This model takes into account multiple external factors outside of a school's direct control to ensure performance is measured within a fair and accurate context.

The ten Floyd County schools honored with this distinction are:

• Alto Park Elementary School
• Armuchee High School
• Armuchee Primary School
• Coosa High School
• Garden Lakes Elementary School
• Johnson Elementary School
• Model Elementary School
• Model High School
• Pepperell High School
• Pepperell Primary School

Understanding the "Beating the Odds" Metric

Calculated annually by GOSA following the release of the Georgia Department of Education’s CCRPI scores, the BTO analysis serves as a crucial complementary tool for accountability contracts between local school districts and the State Board of Education.

Rather than evaluating schools on raw achievement outcomes alone, the BTO evaluation utilizes a rigorous four-step statistical regression model:

1. Factor Assessment: The model calculates how much individual external student and school characteristics relate to CCRPI scores across all Georgia schools on average.
2. Score Prediction: A unique, predicted CCRPI score is generated for each school based purely on these demographic estimates.
3. Accounting for Margin of Error: To account for unmeasured factors, GOSA establishes a confidence interval range using the predicted score plus or minus half the standard deviation of the forecast.
4. Final Determination: To successfully "Beat the Odds," a school’s actual CCRPI score must rise entirely above the model's top confidence interval. This gives statistical confidence that the school's performance is demonstrably higher than predicted.

"BTO results offer necessary, localized context to school tracking," GOSA noted in the release statement. "While a school beating the odds does not inherently mean there are no remaining performance gaps, it explicitly indicates that these educators, students, and communities are overcoming external challenges and outperforming state predictions." Because the BTO model relies strictly on factors outside of a school’s control, the best pathway for any school to sustain or achieve this designation is through a continued, focused effort to increase its foundational CCRPI score.

Full data sets, calculation guides, and the complete list of statewide school designations are available publicly on the official GOSA Beating the Odds Website.

Armuchee High School (AHS) is proud to announce the appointment of Matt Wiley as its new Assistant Principal. 

Wiley joins the Tribes leadership team with an extensive 14-year background in classroom instruction, athletic coaching, and school leadership within North Georgia. 

Wiley comes to Armuchee High School from Ashworth Middle School, where he has served as a Computer Science teacher and Gifted Lead Teacher. Throughout his career, Wiley has demonstrated a deep commitment to systemic academic improvement and leadership development, currently completing his Tier 1 Leadership Certification and participating in the prestigious Aspiring Leaders Cohort II. His state-level educational involvement includes serving as a GaLEADS/ELEVATE Teacher Observer for the State of Georgia Department of Education. 

In addition to his classroom and state-level leadership, Wiley brings invaluable experience in student support and school operations. He previously served as the 504 Coordinator, where he successfully managed student accommodation compliance and collaborated with families and faculty to ensure equitable learning environments. 

Wiley also brings a rich history of building school spirit and community engagement. He has a decade of high school classroom experience teaching a wide range of rigorous sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and AP Environmental Science. 

A dedicated mentor outside the classroom, Wiley was named the 2022 7AA Coach of the Year and has led student-athletes to multiple region championships in soccer and individual accolades for wrestlers. 

In his new role, Wiley will work alongside Principal Joseph Pethel to support instructional leadership, manage all student affairs, and leverage his background as a certified Instructional Technology Specialist. 

"I’m grateful and excited to be joining the wonderful faculty and staff at Armuchee High School," said Wiley. "Thank you to Mr. Pethel for the opportunity to be part of an incredible school and community. I look forward to meeting all the students and staff this fall. We > Me."

About Floyd County Schools

The Floyd County School System (FloydBOE.net) is dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities that promote academic excellence for all students. Floyd County educators combine a strong focus on core academics with innovative teaching methods to create a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Floyd County Schools offer comprehensive academic programs designed to prepare students for success in college, technical education, and a wide range of post-secondary pathways. Guided by its mission to foster productive citizens, the district is built on the cornerstones of integrity, community, accountability, and trust.

Located in Rome, Georgia, the Floyd County School System proudly serves 16 schools across the district.

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Floyd County Schools (FCS) is proud to announce Shane Arp as the new Assistant Principal at Model High School (MHS). 

Arp is a veteran educator, administrator, and coach with over two decades of experience within the district, and he brings a proven track record of leadership, integrity, and dedication to the Model community.

“I want to welcome Mr. Shane Arp to the Model faMily,” said MHS principal Kevin Strickland. “His experience as a math teacher, coach, and administrator will greatly enrich our teachers, students, and community.  We look forward to working with Shane next year.”

Arp transitions to MHS following a highly successful tenure as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Armuchee High School (AHS). His exceptional leadership in athletic administration was recently recognized statewide when he was named the Fall 2024 Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA) Athletic Director of the Year—an honor voted on by regional principals and fellow athletic directors.

Arp began his academic journey by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Shorter College, where he attended on a baseball scholarship. Committed to continuous professional growth, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University, an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Berry College.

Over his 15 years as an administrator and 20-plus years as a coach, Arp has been a pillar in building quality, relationship-driven, and supportive student programs. His extensive coaching resume spans middle and high school levels across multiple sports—including football, baseball, softball, basketball, and track.

Arp will take the place of Mike House, who announced his retirement this week, and we thank him for all that he did for the MHS family. 

In his new role, Arp will work closely with the MHS administration team to build upon the school's strong academic foundation, utilizing his deep education background to help students prepare for post-secondary success, being an asset to all he encounters. 

About Floyd County Schools

The Floyd County School System (FloydBOE.net) is dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities that promote academic excellence for all students. Floyd County educators combine a strong focus on core academics with innovative teaching methods to create a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Floyd County Schools offer comprehensive academic programs designed to prepare students for success in college, technical education, and a wide range of post-secondary pathways. Guided by its mission to foster productive citizens, the district is built on the cornerstones of integrity, community, accountability, and trust.

Located in Rome, Georgia, the Floyd County School System proudly serves 16 schools across the district.

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On Monday, we celebrated some very talented students in our 1st Annual FCS Fine Arts Signing! We are so incredibly proud of our talented artists, musicians, and performers. Congratulations to everyone recognized—we can’t wait to watch you shine on your next stage!  ​

Join us in celebrating where these amazing students are headed next to shine on their new stages:

Armuchee High School

Abby Drew Trotter – Shorter University (Theatre)

Coosa High School

Lillian Abbott – Jacksonville State University (Music)

Danny Castro – Berry College (Business Major & Dance Minor)

Matthew Drinnon – SCAD (Art)

Wesley Faulkner – Jacksonville State University (Music)

Levi Sunday – Mercer University (Electrical Engineering Major & Music Minor)

Model High School

Conner Creel – Belmont University (Audio Engineering)

Armani Donaldson – Georgia Highlands College (Graphic Design)

Pearce Elkins – Jacksonville State University (Music Education)

Rylie Folsom – Georgia Highlands College (Film)

Ella Knight – Georgia Highlands College (Graphic Design)

Eva Petty – Berry College (Communications / Theatre Minor)

Chloe Pons – Georgia Highlands College (Film)

Ella Quarles – Kennesaw State University (Interior Design)

Deanna Vansant – Berry College (Art Education)

Pepperell High School

Ryder Ashmore – Norwalk Conservatory (Dance)

Lyla Doss – SCAD (Art)

Congratulations to everyone recognized! Full album: https://tinyurl.com/j4d3sj72. 

Coosa High School (CHS) is thrilled to announce the hiring of Trevor Proctor as the new Head Coach of the Eagles Baseball program. 

Proctor brings a wealth of coaching experience, a deep background in player development, and a proven track record of leadership both on the field and in the classroom.

Proctor joins the Coosa family following a highly successful tenure within local high school athletics, where he recently served as Head Baseball Coach and Head Softball Coach at Rome High School. 

A standout student-athlete and leader, Proctor graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berry College in 2022, where he played baseball for the Vikings under Coach David Beasley.

In addition to his coaching expertise, Proctor holds a specialized certification in Baseball Field Turf Management from Ohio State University and has extensive experience managing facilities and directing elite youth baseball camps, which will be a great addition with the new and exciting facility upgrades for the program. 

"We are excited to announce that Trevor Proctor has joined the Coosa Family as our new head baseball coach. With a strong baseball background and a love for the game, Coach Proctor is ready to hit the ground running. He has outlined a comprehensive program plan and has shared some great ideas. We also extend our gratitude to Coach Davis and his family for their dedication and the countless hours they devoted to the Coosa Baseball Family, the community, and the classroom. Welcome to the team, Coach Proctor!"

Proctor steps in for Coach Hunter Davis, who announced his resignation last month. Davis spent four seasons with the Eagles, and, as stated by Coach Mathis, the Coosa community is beyond thankful for his time and leadership to the program. 

Coach Proctor is eager to plant deep roots in the Coosa community and begin establishing his vision for the Eagles baseball program.

"I am very grateful and blessed for the opportunity to be the Head Baseball Coach at Coosa High School," said Proctor. "I would like to thank Mrs. Martin and Mr. Mathis for giving me this opportunity. I am excited to meet the guys, get to work, build relationships, and compete at a high level. The Coosa community is great, and one that I am excited to invest in and be a part of. I cannot wait to get to work and set a standard for Coosa Baseball on and off the field that makes the Coosa community proud. Go Eagles! #Altitude"

Returning with Coach Proctor will be Coach Brad Brumbelow, who has been with the program for four years, and Coach Tyler West, who stepped in last season and was a great asset. 

Coach Proctor plans to host a meet-and-greet with the boys and their families in the coming days. An announcement will follow soon.