Ten Cherokee County schools have received top honors for achievement from the state Office of Student Achievement and Georgia Department of Education.

On Wednesday, the department released the names of 345 Georgia public schools recognized for improvement and achievement during the 2009-10 school year.

Georgia's Single Statewide Accountability System awards schools based on their performance on state curriculum exams and Adequate Yearly Progress status.

The 10 Cherokee County School District schools were all honored for "highest achievement" on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests or Georgia High School Graduation Test.

Schools honored at the Gold level are Bascomb Elementary and Creekview High, Etowah High, Sequoyah High and Woodstock High schools.

Schools honored at the Bronze level are Cherokee High School, Freedom Middle School and Liberty Elementary, Macedonia Elementary and Sixes Elementary Schools.

"Congratulations to the principals, teachers, parents, and students at these schools," said Kathleen Mathers, executive director of the Office of Student Achievement. "This is one way to say 'great job' to these school communities that have stayed focused and committed to helping children learn and achieve at high levels."

The awards were announced as part of the release of the state's Annual K-12 Public Schools Report Card.

"The students and staff at these schools are to be commended for this significant achievement," State School Superintendent Brad Bryant said. "These high levels of achievement and improvement don't happen unless everyone is focused on the goal of providing a world-class education to every student."