In celebration of Georgia Reads Day, leaders in government and education gathered at the Georgia State Capitol recently to recognize the ten 2026 Georgia Reads Community Award winners and Georgia’s student READBowl Champions.
Hosted by the Georgia Council on Literacy, the Georgia Reads Community Award highlights
the power of sustained community partnerships to improve literacy outcomes across the
state.
Additionally, each winning community partnership may select a school to be recognized
locally and participate in a special “Read with Malcolm” event led by Georgia Reads Coach
Malcolm Mitchell.
“Literacy is the foundation for opportunity,” said Scott Johnson, Chair of the Georgia
Council on Literacy. “These communities have shown what’s possible when schools,
nonprofits, families, and local leaders work together with purpose. Their results are proof
that when we invest in reading, we invest in Georgia’s future.”
Four schools were also recognized as Georgia’s 2026 READBowl Champions, earning
“conference” championships in K–3, grades 4–5, middle, and high school reading
competitions. The championship PAGE trophy, sponsored by the Professional Association
of Georgia Educators, was presented to this year’s winners.
The 2026 READBowl state champions include:
PreK-3rd Grade: Shryock/Hadden’s Busy Bees – Waynesboro Primary School , Burke
County,
4/5 Grade: DLR Tenacious Tigers – David L. Rainer Elementary School, Camden County,
Middle School: DCSS Indians – 8th Grade Albany Middle School, Dougherty County, and
High School: Holland’s Homeroom, Chattahoochee County High School,
Chattahoochee County.
It should be noted that DCSS Indians – 8th Grade Albany Middle School, Dougherty
County was also the National Winner for the 2025 READBowl
2026 Georgia Reads Community Award Winners
The 2026 Georgia Reads Community Award recipients include:
Books for Keeps, Clarke County; For the Love of Reading, Inc., Upson County; Harris
Literacy Center at Augusta University, Richmond County; Jackson County Schools,
Jackson County; Lumpkin County Schools, Lumpkin County; Mayors Impact Team,
Walton County; Meriwether County School System, Meriwether County; Portal of
Commencement Midpoint Shelter, Inc., Fulton County; Reach Out and Read Georgia,
Fulton County; and United Way of Hall County, Hall County.