QuickBooks Support & Training
(770) 410-7500 qb-support-training.com
Real Estate Report Sponsored section ►►PAGE 22
Johns Creek has much to offer Economic developer says city has much going for it ►►PAGE 4
Wherefore art thou GET?
Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents ‘Romeo and Juliet’ ►►PAGE 36
November 5, 2015 | johnscreekherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 19, No. 44
State of Fulton Schools shows good progress Focus on Strategic Plan showing results BY CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
The Standard Club Vice President Paul Schwartz, right, gets some club advice from Jonathan Branson, assistant golf professional.
Standard Club keeps traditions Modernized golf course, social events make club inviting By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Founded in 1867, The Standard Club stands among the most prestigious and historic private clubs in Georgia. Tucked
discreetly away on Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek, it made the move from Atlanta when the area was still considered the hinterlands in 1987. Today, containing more than 200 acres, it is en-
sconced in a vibrant city of 80,000-plus. The Standard Club was founded as the Jewish club of Atlanta in response to the “restricted “clubs of that era. Today, it is a golf, tennis, swim and social club open to all. Standard Club Vice President Paul Schwartz said the club’s first-class amenities
See TRADITION, Page 43
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Four years into the five-year Strategic Plan, the Fulton School System is seeing the benefits of new programs and processes to raise achievement and prepare students for life beyond high school. But challenges remain, say school leaders, in a system with increasing poverty and persistent academic concerns in some areas despite overall progress. During its State of Our Schools event on Oct. 22, interim Superintendent Ken Zeff provided an overview of the system, focusing much attention on the Strategic Plan progress. “[We are] all focused on a mission, and on a set of values and goals,” said Zeff, who took office in June. “This is who we are … this is our North Star.” He pointed to the three pillars of the plan: 90 percent graduation rate, 85 percent of graduates being college ready, and 100 percent of graduates career ready. Ambitious goals, said Zeff,
but he noted the system is on track to hit those marks. He pointed to Fulton’s graduation rate last year of nearly 79 percent, which ZEFF is the highest rate among metro area school systems. “The good news is that you are seeing [increasing graduation rates] in every student population, including economically disadvantaged, [ethnic], and English-language learners,” said Zeff. Rising scores on the Advanced Placement and college prep exams (SAT and ACT) also show the goal of 85 percent of graduates being college ready is attainable. The goal of 100 percent of students being career ready is harder to quantify, but the system is investing heavily in career and technical education options at the high school level, and putting more emphasis on the hard skills needed
See PROGRESS, Page 6
Johns Creek election results posted online Due to the publishing deadlines for the Johns Creek Herald, Johns Creek City Council election results will be published online at johnscreekherald.com.