Bayvale Elementary, Spirit Creek and Sego Middle schools fell in the Subgroup Alert Schools category, meaning individual groups of students divided by race, special needs or income performed below state averages. No schools in Richmond County were named in the category of graduation rate or tested subject areas.

The designation is part of the accountability measures under the College and Career Ready Performance Index. Georgia is one of 10 states that received a waiver to use the Index in place of some No Child Left Behind standards beginning next school year.

Earlier this year the state began defining Title I schools, which have a high percentage of low-income students, as priority, focus or reward based on achievement. This fourth alert designation covers Title I and non-Title I schools and highlights those campuses that need to raise student achievement.