Five Ware County elementary schools have been honored with the John Hancock Award by the Georgia Department of Education, recognizing their outstanding efforts in cursive writing instruction. The award celebrates schools that go above and beyond in teaching this essential skill, which supports cognitive development, writing fluency, and student confidence.
The recognized schools are:
Memorial Drive Elementary
Ruskin Elementary
Wacona Elementary
Waresboro Elementary
Williams Heights Elementary
To receive the award, schools must demonstrate that at least 90% of their students can write their names in cursive. These Ware County schools received the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon, a distinction that reflects their commitment to high-quality instruction and student success.
“Learning cursive is more than just a writing skill. It’s a connection to history, critical thinking, and personal expression,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “In an age of digital communication, the ability to read and write in cursive remains essential.”
Cursive writing is a key part of Georgia’s English Language Arts (ELA) standards. According to the Georgia Department of Education, students who receive strong cursive instruction benefit in several areas, including memory retention, literacy, fine motor development, and the ability to engage with historical documents in their original form.
Ware County Schools is proud of these five campuses for preserving this important tradition and preparing students to write, read, and think with fluency and purpose.