December 19, 2025
Calhoun, GA – Gordon County Schools announced today that it has earned Cognia® Accreditation and achieved the status of Accredited with Merit. This is a status conferred to an institution in excellent standing that displays results above expectations across Cognia Performance Standards. Cognia is a forward-thinking nonprofit organization dedicated to helping institutions grow and improve through accreditation, certification, assessment, and improvement services.
Gordon County Schools last earned Cognia Accreditation in 2021. During the 2025-2026 school year, Gordon County Schools participated in Cognia’s rigorous Accreditation Engagement Review process, which is grounded in research-based performance standards. The process includes a third-party review of evidence by education experts, interviews, and classroom observations. The review evaluates institutions and seeks evidence of growth in learning, a healthy culture for learning, engaging and high-quality instructional environments, and effective leadership for learning—all characteristics Cognia expects to see in quality schools that also demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
“I am pleased to congratulate Gordon County Schools for their designation of Accredited with Merit, a status which recognizes public and non-public institutions that demonstrate high-quality education and service to learners,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “Cognia Accreditation is already a mark of school quality recognized around the world. Achieving the Accredited with Merit status further recognizes when an institution operates above expectations in its dedication to student learning and continuous improvement,” Elgart added.
Gordon County Schools was celebrated for its noteworthy accomplishments in stakeholder collaboration, continuous improvement through upholding system priorities, providing academic and non-academic opportunities that address students’ individual needs, interests, and goals, and data-informed decision-making for the growth and well-being of students and staff members. You can read the full summary of findings in the 2025 Accreditation Engagement Review document.
Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org
About Gordon County Schools
Gordon County Schools is a public school district serving Gordon County, Georgia, educating students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across 10 schools—six elementary, two middle, and two high schools—along with a College & Career Academy that supports workforce readiness and postsecondary pathways. The district serves nearly 6,300 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio close to the state average. The district is governed by a seven-member Board of Education and strives to provide strong academic and extracurricular opportunities for its diverse community, with performance rankings generally in the top half of Georgia’s public school systems and a high graduation rate. Its schools serve many communities, including Fairmount, Resaca, Plainville, and Sonoraville, aiming to foster collaboration, growth, and achievement for all students. Gordon County School’s mission is a commitment to student success. Learn more at gcbe.org.
About Cognia
Cognia® is a forward-thinking nonprofit improvement organization committed to serving schools and other education providers. We offer accreditation and certification, assessment, improvement services, and professional learning within an evaluation and continuous improvement framework. Serving over 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 100 countries and territories, Cognia brings a universally recognized perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Learn more at cognia.org.