Two Forsyth County schools have been named 2009 Georgia Schools of Excellence.

Daves Creek Elementary and Riverwatch Middle were among 27 schools statewide recognized Friday by the state for having shown the greatest improvement or highest achievement.

In a statement, Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Buster Evans credited the two schools' "students, teachers and leadership/administrative teams that have all worked to create and demonstrate excellence in education."

"Receiving the Georgia School of Excellence Designation is a phenomenal accomplishment that does not come easily nor without significant levels of competition from many other outstanding Georgia schools," Evans said.

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox said in a statement that "these schools are getting great results from all students in many different areas."

The Georgia Schools of Excellence are honored in two categories, greatest gains and top 10 percent. Schools from each Congressional district in each category are honored.

Daves Creek and Riverwatch were honored for being in the top 10 percent in Georgia as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.

Greatest gains schools are those that demonstrated greatest continuous gains in student achievement for the past three years as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.

The Georgia Schools of Excellence will be honored at a banquet Feb. 5 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.