North Lee and Michigan Avenue elementary schools are in the top 5 percent of scores for academic achievement on the 2012 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program test.

"Congratulations to Michigan Avenue and North Lee Elementary Schools on this outstanding accomplishment," Bradley County Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel said in a press release. "Even though Bradley County Schools is funded among the lowest in the state, our students continue to excel in academics."

School principals emphasized that helping students succeed is a group effort.

"I am honored to work alongside a very dedicated group of professionals who consistently strive to do what is right and best for children," said Angela Lawson, principal of Michigan Avenue Elementary School, in a press release. "We are very appreciative of our community partners and the commitment of our parents and students as we work together to shape the future, one child at a time."

"North Lee has always valued education and high achievement," said Principal Nat Akiona. "This is a team effort by our parents, grandparents, teachers and students."

Gov. Bill Haslam and Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman announced reward schools Monday. These include the top 5 percent for performance and the top 5 percent for growth.

The state officials made the announcement at Kenrose Elementary School in Brentwood. Celebration locations were set up across the state. Bradley County Schools administrators were unable to attend the celebration at Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts. However, Michigan Avenue Elementary staff were able to watch a webcast of the announcement. Akiona said school was already out when the webcast was streamed live, so students were not able to watch it class. The principal plans to show the video of the announcement to faculty at an upcoming meeting.

According to a press release from the Tennessee Department of Education, “Because Tennessee’s new accountability system rewards growth and recognizes schools’ varying baselines, every school in the state can strive for the Reward Schools designation.”

There were 169 schools designated on the reward school list.