GA Department of Juvenile Justice School System Earns System Accreditation

Decatur, GA – The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) announced today that their school system, the Georgia Preparatory Academy, has earned system accreditation by Cognia Global Accreditation Commission, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts and education service providers.

“System accreditation by the Cognia provides a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school system and each school within our system,” said DJJ Deputy Superintendent Zane Shelfer.  “This accomplishment demonstrates to all stakeholders our commitment to excellence, openness to external review, and a desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we proudly serve.”

To earn accreditation from Cognia, a school district must implement a continuous improvement process and submit it to internal and external review.  School systems in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a five-year term.

“I want to express my appreciation to the DJJ School System team,” said DJJ Commissioner Tyrone Oliver.  “It is their hard work and dedication that prepares our youth for the future.”

DJJ is the 181st School District in Georgia.  The Georgia Preparatory Academy (GPA) is the middle school and high school within the DJJ School System. There are 29 GPA campuses across Georgia located in Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs), Youth Development Campuses (YDCs), and Education Transition Centers (ETCs).

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia System Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish.  The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice School System is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards that focus on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership.

Find out more about the Department of Juvenile Justice School System at www.DJJ.Georgia.Gov.

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