Three counties in the region had schools on the list, Gilmer, Braxton and Ritchie.

They had attendance rates of about 94 percent, a graduation rate of at least 85 percent and high writing assessment scores along with high standardized test scores.

Most of the schools were small, community-based schools, including the smallest school in the state - Pickens.

GILMER: Gilmer High, Gilmer Elementary.

BRAXTON: Burnsville Elementary, Davis Elementary, Frametown Elementary.