EATONTON — A small town high school gained nationwide recognition in 2013 when Putnam County High School received a bronze medal in the U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools rankings. That kind of recognition was in direct contrast to the recognition that Putnam County High School had received several years prior when the school appeared on the Georgia Needs Improvement list for not meeting state standards for student achievement and graduation rates. It was around the same time that Putnam County High School appeared on the Needs Improvement list that the Putnam County Board of Education was in the process of applying to become a Charter School System. This decision was in response to a 2008 ruling by Georgia lawmakers requiring local school districts to decide by 2015 whether they would become an Investing in Excellence in Education (IE2) system, a charter system, or a Status Quo system. After looking at the requirements and restrictions of each option, Putnam’s Board of Education decided that a Charter System would give the local board more authority and flexibility over what would be the best educational environment for Putnam County students. Putnam County School System officially became Putnam County Charter School System in 2010.

The opportunities began to expand in 2011 when Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) received a $2.6 million grant for a College and Career Academy expansion at the high school. Student achievement was on the rise, but the graduation rate of 63.37 percent was still below the state average of 67.47 percent.

As PCCSS moved into the third year of the charter in 2012, the high school continued to see improvements. Putnam County High School had the highest SAT scores in the region, and the graduation rate rose to 69.59 percent, which was just below the state average of 69.72 percent. Putnam County High School’s score on the state’s accountability measurement for student achievement known as the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) was the highest in the region. In 2013, the accolades continued to mount for the high school as PCHS was named an Advanced Placement (AP) Challenge school and a STEM Achievement school. The number of AP students scoring a 3 or better on AP exams exceeded the state, national, and international rates for 2013-2014. The graduation rate increased to 72.3 percent, which for the first time in several years, exceeded the state average of 71.5 percent. Interest and participation in dual enrollment offerings at Putnam County High School began to increase. The success continued in 2014, with the high school’s CCRPI score exceeding the state’s average by almost 9 points. Dual enrollment for degree level college courses was the highest in the school’s history. Ten college level courses were taught on the high school campus. Out of the total number of students participating in these dual enrollment courses, 98.3 percent earned college credit for a savings of more than $53,000 in tuition.

The beginning of the 2014-2015 school year brings even more opportunities for students at Putnam County High School. There are several exciting programs that are now available to all students at PCHS. Students now have the opportunity to enroll in Work-Based Learning (WBL), Youth Empowerment for Success (YES), and College Credit NOW – Academic and Occupational Dual Enrollment.

The Work-Based Learning (WBL) Programs are structured experiences that connect the student’s career goals and classroom learning with a productive work environment. Work-Based Learning allows for student placement in their chosen career that typically lasts for one semester or the entire school year. These placements may be paid or unpaid depending on the individual student’s placement. Work-Based Learning allows the students who are participating in the program to earn high school credit and leave early from school each day to attain real world experience at their coordinator approved job site.

New this year to Putnam County High School is the Youth Empowerment for Success (YES) Program, which is funded by a $2.4 million Youth CareerConnect grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. PCHS was the only award recipient in Georgia and one of only 26 nationally. Students can apply to join the YES Program, which is comprised of coursework in academic core dual-enrollment classes as well as technical college classes related to healthcare, information technology, and welding. Students in the YES program will be able to explore the world of work through career fairs and employer site visits, as well as obtain on-the-job training during internships and job shadowing. Through their participation in the YES program, students will also have a chance to look into institutions of higher education by attending recruitment visits, college fairs, and campus tours. Additionally, each YES Program student will have the opportunity to hear guest speakers from high-demand industries, participate in mentorships, and work on service learning projects within the community.

The College Credit NOW program continues to grow each year. The 2014-2015 school year boasts the largest number of courses offered on campus to date with more than 30 college courses taught on the high school campus. Students participating in the College Credit NOW program can receive high school and college credits at the same time. This enables students to get a jumpstart on college! Students can also take occupational courses that will allow them to receive technical college certificates or diplomas in auto mechanics, criminal justice, HVAC, information technology, healthcare and welding.

Putnam County High School’s future goal, which is currently in progress, is for all students to participate in the EMPL1000 course to earn college credit. This is a dual enrollment course where students will learn the soft skills necessary for life after high school. This course focuses on interpersonal relations and professional development. This course will help all students take advantage of opportunities offered to them upon leaving high school.

The philosophy at Putnam County High School is that every student can be successful. This philosophy is obvious with all of the increases in student achievement at Putnam County High School where student body demographics are more than 75 percent economically disadvantaged. Putnam County High School believes that each student has his or her own definition of success – whether it is employment in a job right out of high school, commitment to the Armed Forces, enrollment in a technical school, or acceptance to a traditional four-year college. With the commitment of the faculty and staff at Putnam County High School coupled with the many opportunities offered at PCHS, all students can find their paths to success. Call the school at 706-485-9971 if you are interested in learning more about the exciting programs available for PCHS students.