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Public Schools by County
SPOTLIGHT ON METRO ATLANTA’S SCHOOL SYSTEMS
Avariety of improvements and innovative programs in Georgia’s public school systems have resulted in many stellar elementary, middle and high schools across the metro area. Different school systems feature specialized programs and academic opportunities, such as magnet, charter, vocational or alternative schools, to suit their respective students, parents and communities. However, despite variations in programming and academic offerings, all public schools must offer the core curriculum as determined by the Georgia Board of Education.
Here is a county-by-county guide to metro Atlanta’s public school systems. For more information about the Georgia Department of Education, call 404-656-2800 or visit gadoe.org. u
ADAIRSVILLE
BARTOW
WHITE
CARTERSVILLE
EMERSON
Board of Education 770-606-5800 bartow.k12.ga.us
CHEROKEE
CHEROKEE
Board of Education 770-479-1871 cherokeek12.net
CLAYTON
CLAYTON
Board of Education 770-473-2700 clayton.k12.ga.us
Number of Schools Elementary 12 Middle 4 High 3 Career Academy 1 Transitional Academy 1 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 510 (M) 529 5th: (ELA) 515 (M) 516 8th: (ELA) 511 (M) 503
2020 Average SAT: 1025
Total # of Students: 14,202 Student Spending: $9,115 Top 3 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Woodland 1045 Adairsville High 1029 Cass High 999
What’s New: Woodland Middle School Media Specialist Sabrina Price has launched WMS BOOKHUB, a program that allows distance-learning students to receive library materials through curbside delivery. Students can place an order for books through their school’s online catalog.
Number of Schools Elementary 23 Middle 7 High 6 Alternative 1 Centers 4 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 522 (M) 545 5th: (ELA) 531 (M) 538 8th: (ELA) 535 (M) 514
2020 Average SAT: 1100
Total # of Students: 44,422 Student Spending: $8,985 Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Cherokee High 1114 Creekview High 1110 Etowah High 1102 Sequoyah High 1100 Woodstock High 1097
What’s New: Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy has been designated as a Common Sense Certified School for Digital Citizenship. Lori Brackett and Sarah Munroe created the schoolwide plan that earned this certification.
Number of Schools Elementary 34 Primary 2 Middle 14 High 9 Alternative 1 Performing Arts Center 1 Morrow High School 985
Adult Education 1 Charter 2 Magnet 5 Open Campus 1
Total # of Students: 63,489 Student Spending: 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 488 (M) 507 5th: (ELA) 497 (M) 493 8th: (ELA) 501 (M) 486
2020 Average SAT: 943
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Elite Scholars Academy 1078 M. E. Stilwell School of the Arts 1043 $8,129
Lovejoy High School 948 Jonesboro High 945
What’s New: Clayton County Public Schools now hosts Be Inspired with Beasley: A Podcast for Clayton County, featuring the superintendent/CEO of schools, Morcease J. Beasley.
COBB
Board of Education 770-426-3300 cobbk12.org
COWETA
COWETA
Board of Education 770-254-2800 cowetaschools.net
DEKALB
Board of Education 678-676-1200 dekalbschoolsga.org
Number of Schools Elementary 65 Primary 2 Middle 24 6th Grade Academy 1 High 10 Magnet High Schools 6 Charter 2 Learning Centers 1 Adult Education Center 1 Special Education Centers 2 Virtual Academies 1
Total # of Students: 119,817 Student Spending: $9,556 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 521 (M) 533 5th: (ELA) 531 (M) 526 8th: (ELA) 534 (M) 523
2020 Average SAT: 1107
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Walton High School 1272 Alan C. Pope High School 1195 Lassiter High School 1195 Kell High School 1061 Wheeler High School 1160
What’s New: The new Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy is designed to immerse students in hands-on training programs.
Number of Schools Elementary 19 Middle 6 High 3 Charter & Career Academy 2 Alternative 2 Centre for Performing Northgate High 1118
and Visual Arts 1 Special Education 1
Total # of Students: 23,799 Student Spending: 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 525 (M) 532 5th: (ELA) 530 (M) 525 8th: (ELA) 536 (M) 535
2020 Average SAT: 1082
Top 3 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score $9,045
Newnan High 1076 East Coweta High 1059
What’s New: The Georgia Department of Education has provided funding for Coweta County Schools to equip 27 buses as Wi-Fi hotspots to provide reliable internet service to those
DEKALB
students learning remotely.
Number of Schools Elementary 69 Middle 17 High 19 Charter 5 Magnet 3 Centers, Special Education and Alternative 24
Total # of Students: 110,413 Student Spending: $11,565 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 496 (M) 511 5th: (ELA) 506 (M) 502 8th: (ELA) 506 (M) 496
2020 Average SAT: 990
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Chamblee Charter High 1177 DeKalb Early College Academy 1156 DeKalb School of the Arts 1144 Dunwoody High 1128
Lakeside High 1108
What’s New: A $7,500 grant from Teach On Project was received by Druid Hills teacher Matthew Ruben, awarded for demonstrating increases in student achievement, enhancement of student selfesteem and collaboration with community stakeholders.
DOUGLAS
Board of Education 770-651-2000 dcssga.org
FAYETTE
FAYETTE
Board of Education 770-460-3990 fcboe.org
FORSYTH
FORSYTH
Board of Education 770-887-2461 forsyth.k12.ga.us
Number of Schools Elementary 20 Middle 8 High 5 Centers 3 Charter 1 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 29,253 Student Spending: $9,566 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 511 (M) 520 5th: (ELA) 520 (M) 510 8th: (ELA) 522 (M) 504
2020 Average SAT: 1002
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Alexander High 1035 Chapel Hill High 1032 Douglas County High 1018 Lithia Springs High 956 New Manchester High 946
What’s New: The Douglas County School System has signed a contract to purchase the GreyStone Power headquarters building. The district will relocate its central office to this new location, along with more than 40 other department employees.
Number of Schools Elementary 14 Middle 5 High 5 Alternative 1 Open Campus 1 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 21,174 Student Spending: $10,447 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 544 (M) 544 5th: (ELA) 549 (M) 535 8th: (ELA) 551 (M) 541
2020 Average SAT: 1124
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score McIntosh High 1209 Starr’s Mill High 1161 Whitewater High 1090 Fayette County High 1050 Sandy Creek High 1044
What’s New: Oak Grove Elementary has completed several improvements. Renovations include a new music room and gym, new conference rooms and an updated cafeteria.
Number of Schools Elementary 22 Middle 10 High 6 Non-Traditional 2 Virtual 1 Charter/Evening 1 Career Academy 1
Total # of Students: 51,013 Student Spending: $8,883 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 550 (M) 562 5th: (ELA) 555 (M) 568 8th: (ELA) 556 (M) 534
2020 Average SAT: 1161
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Lambert High 1226 South Forsyth High 1202 Denmark High 1175 West Forsyth High 1135 Forsyth Central 1105
What’s New: Forsyth County Schools’ SAT scores surpassed state and national public schools for the class of 2020. Out of the 181 school districts in Georgia, the district’s 2020 graduates had the highest SAT score among county districts and those that tested more than 250 students.
ATLANTA
FULTON
Board of Education 470-254-3600 fultonschools.org
GRIFFIN-
Board of Education 770-229-3700 spalding.k12.ga.us
GWINNETT
Board of Education 678-301-6000 gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Number of Schools Elementary 59 Middle 19 High 18 Charter 10 Alternative Schools 3 Virtual Campus 1
Total # of Students: 101,671 Student Spending: $11,072 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 521 (M) 534 5th: (ELA) 531 (M) 528 8th: (ELA) 522 (M) 512
2020 Average SAT: 1078
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Northview HS 1282 Chattahoochee HS 1233 Johns Creek HS 1220 Cambridge 1206 Alpharetta 1189
What’s New: Fulton County Schools has partnered with the Fulton County Board of Health to introduce an online COVID-19 reporting portal for parents. It allows families to notify both the
SPALDING
board and the district of a COVID-19 risk involving their student.
Number of Schools Elementary 11 Middle 4 High 2 Alternative 2 Career Academy 1 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 486 (M) 506 5th: (ELA) 502 (M) 495 8th: (ELA) 507 (M) 496
2020 Average SAT: 967
Total # of Students: 11,027 Student Spending: $9,733 Top 2 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Spalding High 996 Griffin High 929
What’s New: Griffin-Spalding County School System dismissal hours have changed. The instructional day still begins at the same time as in previous years, but students are dismissed 20 minutes earlier. At the high school level the schedule was adjusted to take minutes from transition time between classes
GWINNETT
so students have the same opportunity to master the curriculum.
Number of Schools Elementary 80 Middle 29 High 20 Alternative 4 Charter 2 Open Campus 1 Virtual School 1 Special Education 2 Center 1 Career/Technical 3
Total # of Students: 195,746 Student Spending: 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 523 (M) 535 5th: (ELA) 528 (M) 533 8th: (ELA) 532 (M) 494
2020 Average SAT: 1097
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Gwinnett School of Math, Science, and Technology 1361 Gwinnett Online Campus 1145 Brookwood High 1143 Mill Creek High 1131
North Gwinnett High 1195 $9,159
What’s New: Six Gwinnett County public schools have earned a combined total of nearly $50,000 in BOSCH STEM grants from the Bosch Community Fund.
HALL
Board of Education 770-534-1080 hallco.org
HENRY
Board of Education 770-957-6601 schoolwire.henry.k12.ga.us
PAULDING BRASWELL 278
Board of Education 770-443-8000 paulding.k12.ga.us
Number of Schools Elementary 10 Middle 6 High 6 Magnet 12 Alternative 1 Career 2
Total # of Students: 28,732 Student Spending: $9,354 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 507 (M) 517 5th: (ELA) 514 (M) 509 8th: (ELA) 486 (M) 500
2020 Average SAT: 1045
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Flowery Branch High 1079 North Hall High 1064 Chestatee High 1044 Cherokee Bluff 1036 Johnson High 1036
What’s New: Agricultural students in the Hall County School District will greatly benefit from a $50,000 Cargill Cares Grant
HENRY
awarded to the school system by Cargill.
Number of Schools Elementary 26 Middle 11 High 10 Charter 2 Alternative 1 Career Academy 1 Virtual School 1
Total # of Students: 47,507 Student Spending: $8,993 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 503 (M) 517 5th: (ELA) 512 (M) 508 8th: (ELA) 517 (M) 493
2020 Average SAT: 1010
Top 6 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Ola High 1074 Union Grove High 1099 Woodland High 1017 Luella High 1005 Dutchtown High 991 Eagles Landing High 991
What’s New: The 1,000-seat Henry County Performing Arts
PAULDING
Center at Fairview opened in September.
Number of Schools Elementary 19 Middle 9 High 5 Alternative 1 Career 1 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 515 (M) 527 5th: (ELA) 527 (M) 519 8th: (ELA) 512 (M) 511
2020 Average SAT: 1032
Total # of Students: 32,244 Student Spending: $9,058 Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Paulding County High 1058 North Paulding High 1042 East Paulding High 1032 South Paulding High 1024 Hiram High 989
What’s New: The Paulding County School District was awarded $3.9 million by the Georgia Department of Education in Year One of a five-year grant for Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading in Georgia (L4GA). The funds will be used to implement literacy initiatives at all grade levels at schools throughout the district. In 2018, the district received $4.5 million for a similar initiative.
ROCKDALE
Board of Education 770-483-4713 rockdaleschools.org
ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Number of Schools Elementary 11 Middle 4 High 3 Alternative 1 Career Academy 1 Magnet 1 Open Campus 1 Virtual School 1
Total # of Students: 18,511 Student Spending: $9,924 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 500 (M) 512 5th: (ELA) 514 (M) 500 8th: (ELA) 519 (M) 508
2020 Average SAT: 974
Top 3 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Rockdale High 1024 Heritage High 989 Salem High 933
What’s New: Rockdale Career Academy recently received a $5,000 donation from Warner Bros. Entertainment as part of community outreach efforts and workforce development for the growing film and entertainment industry in Conyers and Georgia. 8th: (ELA) 510 (M) 495
Board of Education 404-802-3500 atlantapublicschools.us
Number of Schools Elementary 43 Intermediate 3 North Atlanta High 1033
Middle 10 High 10 Charter 19 Alternative 4 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 58,359 Student Spending: 2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 500 (M) 518 5th: (ELA) 507 (M) 507
2020 Average SAT: 934
Top 5 Schools by Average 2020 SAT Score Atlanta Classical Academy 1151 Grady High 1112 KIPP Atlanta Collegiate Academy 1067 $15,917
Charles R. Drew Charter High 968
What’s New: Lisa Herring has been sworn in as the new superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools. A Georgia native and Spelman College graduate, Herring brings more than 25 years of progress and achievement in urban public-school systems across the Southeast. $10,560
BUFORD CITY SCHOOLS
Board of Education 770-945-5035 bufordcityschools.org
Number of Schools Elementary (K-1) 1 1st-3rd Grade Academy 1 4th-5th Grade Academy 1 Middle 1 Total # of Students: 5,113 Student Spending:
High 1
2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 539 (M) 553 5th: (ELA) 538 (M) 550 8th: (ELA) 559 (M) 564
2020 Average SAT: 1125
What’s New: In response to the need to level digital equity for its families, Buford City Schools implemented a 1:1 digital technology initiative at the beginning of the school year, assigning and distributing Chromebooks to each student.
CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR
Board of Education 404-371-3601 csdecatur.net
$11,681 Number of Schools Elementary 5 Middle 1 3rd-5th Grade Academy 1 4th & 5th Grade Academy 1 Early Learning Center 1
Total # of Students: 5,701 Student Spending: High 1
2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 562 (M) 559 5th: (ELA) 560 (M) 551 8th: (ELA) 549 (M) 524
2020 Average SAT: 1170
What’s New: The Georgia Historical Society has officially accepted the application by students of Decatur High School’s Black Student Union to erect a marker in downtown Decatur at the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. was illegally sentenced to a chain gang after being falsely charged with driving without a license 60 years ago. The event was a key turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.
GAINESVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
Board of Education 770-536-5275 gcssk12.net
Elementary Middle High Virtual 6 1 1 1 Total # of Students: 8,452 Student Spending: $9,377
Number of Schools
2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 487 (M) 509 5th: (ELA) 495 (M) 500 8th: (ELA) 478 (M) 493
2020 Average SAT: 990
What’s New: The students of New Holland Knowledge Academy are enjoying their new playground, installed in time for the 202021 school year. The academy hosted a variety of special events and activities to raise over $17,000 toward the structure, with contributions from the district’s school board and other community partners providing the final funds to reach the $20,000 goal. $11,875
MARIETTA CITY SCHOOLS
Board of Education 770-422-3500 marietta-city.org
Number of Schools Elementary 7 Sixth Grade 1 Middle 1 High 1 Alternative 1 Magnet 1 Total # of Students: 9,721 Student Spending:
Early Learning 1
2019 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 512 (M) 524 5th: (ELA) 518 (M) 515 8th: (ELA) 519 (M) 507
2020 Average SAT: 1067
What’s New: The Engineering Drafting and Design Program at Marietta High School has been awarded program certification status by the Georgia Department of Education. Only those programs that have successfully undergone rigorous reviews by business and industry leaders are recognized with this distinction.