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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 Virtual Academy 1
Total # of Students: 12,919 Student Spending: $10,027 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 493 (M) 512 5th: (ELA) 511 (M) 512 8th: (ELA) 508 (M) 508
2021 Average SAT: 1053
Top 3 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Woodland 1062 Adairsville High 1057 Cass High 1043
What’s New: Woodland High School’s health and physical education teacher, athletic coordinator and head wrestling coach, Adrian Tramutola, has been named Georgia’s Coach of the Year and Section 3 Coach of the Year from the National Wrestling Coaches Association after winning seven state titles in 13 years.
Number of Schools Elementary 23 Middle 7 High 6 Alternative 1 Centers 5 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 42,110 Student Spending: $9,564 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 515 (M) 533 5th: (ELA) 519 (M) 532 8th: (ELA) 521 (M) 518
2021 Average SAT: 1125
Top 6 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score River Ridge High 1140 Sequoyah High 1134 Woodstock High 1127 Etowah High 1121 Cherokee High 1116 Creekview High 1116
What’s New: Cherokee County School District has partnered with the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners to rejuvenate the historic Hickory Flat Gym, which has sat dormant since 2002.
Number of Schools Elementary 34 Primary 2 Middle 14 High 9 Alternative 1 Performing Arts Center 1 Adult Education 1 Charter 2 Magnet 5 Open Campus 1
Total # of Students: 53,438 Student Spending: $9,145 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 459 (M) 473 5th: (ELA) 478 (M) 460 8th: (ELA) 485 (M) 466
2021 Average SAT: 946
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Elite Scholars Academy 1085 Morrow High School 1056 M. E. Stilwell School of the Arts 1014 North Clayton High School 963 Lovejoy High School 948
What’s New: U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has recognized Elite Scholars Academy (ESA) as an Exemplary High Performing Schools National Blue Ribbon School for 2021.
COBB
Board of Education 770-426-3300 cobbk12.org
COWETA
COWETA
Board of Education 770-254-2800 cowetaschools.net
Number of Schools Elementary 65 Primary 2 Middle 25 6th Grade Academy 1 High 10 Magnet High Schools 6 Charter 1 Learning Centers 1 Adult Education Center 1 Special Education Centers 2 Virtual Academies 1 Total # of Students: 111,043 Student Spending: $10,262 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 509 (M) 515 5th: (ELA) 518 (M) 510 8th: (ELA) 517 (M) 513
2021 Average SAT: 1150
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Walton High School 1275 Wheeler High School 1233 Alan C. Pope High School 1205 Lassiter High School 1176 Sprayberry High School 1104
What’s New: The Cobb Schools 2021 SAT results show an average test score of 1150 out of 1600 points, 43 points above 2020.
Number of Schools Elementary 19 Middle 7 High 3 Charter & Career Academy 2 Alternative 2 Centre for Performing and Visual Arts 1 Special Education 1 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 22,212 Student Spending: $9,600 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 513 (M) 522 5th: (ELA) 517 (M) 510 8th: (ELA) 515 (M) 501
2021 Average SAT: 1110
Top 3 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Northgate High 1129 Newnan High 1112 East Coweta High 1095
What’s New: Empower Virtual Learning Program is Coweta County’s stand-alone, year-long online educational option for grades K-8, utilizing all Coweta and state curriculum and grade-level standards.
DEKALB
DEKALB
Number of Schools Elementary 69 Middle 17 High 19 Charter 5 Magnet 3 Centers, Special Education and Alternative 24
Total # of Students: 95,715 Student Spending: $12,399 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 476 (M) 487 5th: (ELA) 492 (M) 474 8th: (ELA) 495 (M) 482
2021 Average SAT: 1037
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score DeKalb Early College Academy 1249 Chamblee Charter High 1208 DeKalb School of the Arts 1203 Lakeside High 1189 Dunwoody High 1182
Board of Education 678-676-1200 dekalbschoolsga.org
What’s New: DeKalb County School District offers free weekly COVID-19 testing for students and staff. The test will help detect, trace and isolate COVID-19-positive individuals, and is intended to help lower the risk of transmission of the virus.
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: 26,382 Student Spending: $9,779 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 490 (M) 499 5th: (ELA) 508 (M) 494 8th: (ELA) 510 (M) 493
2021 Average SAT: 1036
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Douglas County High 1070 Chapel Hill High 1061 Alexander High 1044 New Manchester High 971 Lithia Springs High 960
What’s New: South Douglas Elementary School students have started an on-campus garden club that will serve as an outdoor classroom to enhance their daily lessons. Members from each grade will improve and enlarge the existing garden area.
Number of Schools Elementary 14 Middle 5 High 5 Alternative 1 Open Campus 1 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 20,162 Student Spending: $10,999 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 531 (M) 536 5th: (ELA) 532 (M) 530 8th: (ELA) 544 (M) 540
2021 Average SAT: 1152
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score McIntosh High 1226 Starr’s Mill High 1156 Whitewater High 1152 Sandy Creek High 1066 Fayette County High 1042
What’s New: Interrelated teacher Victoria Saxon has implemented her Coaching Through Coding initiative at Peeples Elementary School, focused on problem solving.
Number of Schools Elementary 22 Middle 11 High 7 Non-Traditional 2 Virtual 1 Charter/Evening 1 Career Academy 1
Total # of Students: 50,034 Student Spending: $9,300 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 537 (M) 552 5th: (ELA) 542 (M) 558 8th: (ELA) 539 (M) 534
2021 Average SAT: 1193
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Lambert High 1251 South Forsyth High 1241 Alliance Academy 1226 Denmark High 1205 Forsyth Central 1152
What’s New: U.S. News and World Report has included five Forsyth County high schools on its annual list of 2021 Best High Schools. Lambert came in at 261, South Forsyth at 399, West Forsyth at 1,164, Forsyth Central at 1,670 and North Forsyth at 2,712. Denmark and Alliance were too new to be eligible.
ATLANTA
FULTON
Board of Education 470-254-3600 fultonschools.org
GRIFFINSPALDING
GWINNETT
Board of Education 770-229-3700 spalding.k12.ga.us
Number of Schools Elementary 59 Middle 19 High 20 Charter 10 Alternative Schools 3 Virtual Campus 2
Total # of Students: 91,716 Student Spending: $11,408 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 527 (M) 535 5th: (ELA) 530 (M) 526 8th: (ELA) 521 (M) 519
2021 Average SAT: 1128
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Northview High 1301 Alpharetta High 1265 Chattahoochee High 1249 Johns Creek High 1241 Milton High 1201
What’s New: Mountain Park Elementary School offers the only elementary construction program in the state of Georgia. All students in second through fifth grade gain hands-on experience in a weekly class that teaches them to use a variety of items.
Number of Schools Elementary 11 Middle 4 High 2 Alternative 2 Career Academy 1 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 458 (M) 479 5th: (ELA) 480 (M) 470 8th: (ELA) 488 (M) 474
2021 Average SAT: 983
Total # of Students: 9,704 Student Spending: $10,417
Top 2 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Spalding High 1040 Griffin High 931
What’s New: At the age of 81, former New York City Deputy Mayor Haskell Ward presented Griffin-Spalding County Schools Superintendent Keith Simmons with a gift of $25,000 to create a scholarship fund to benefit the students of Moore Elementary School. Having attended Moore as a child, Ward attributes much of his life’s success to the positive influence of his teachers there.
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 4
GWINNETT
Total # of Students: 179,338 Student Spending: $9,503 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 511 (M) 520 5th: (ELA) 518 (M) 514 8th: (ELA) 509 (M) 504
2021 Average SAT: 1132
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Gwinnett School of Math, Science, and Technology 1378 North Gwinnett High 1210 Peachtree Ridge High 1155 Brookwood High 1152 Parkview High 1142
Board of Education 678-301-6000 gcpsk12.org
What’s New: Brookwood High School’s Mirela Kimbrough has received the 2021 German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award from the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).
HALL
Board of Education 770-534-1080 hallco.org
Number of Schools Elementary 11 Middle 6 High 6 Magnet 12 Alternative 1 Career 2 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 26,720 Student Spending: $9,974 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 492 (M) 507 5th: (ELA) 504 (M) 497 8th: (ELA) 499 (M) 501
2021 Average SAT: 1086
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Flowery Branch High 1123 Chestatee High 1121 North Hall High 1116 Johnson High 1087 East Hall High 1042
What’s New: Hall County School District has launched its Virtual Program of Choice learning option. Students in grades 3 through 12 can apply, including homeschooled students.
HENRY
HENRY
Number of Schools Elementary 26 Middle 11 High 10 Charter 2 Alternative 1 Career Academy 1 Virtual School 1
Total # of Students: 42,611 Student Spending: $9,374 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 489 (M) 501 5th: (ELA) 502 (M) 490 8th: (ELA) 511 (M) 496
2021 Average SAT: 1029
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Union Grove High 1097 Ola High 1086 Eagles Landing High 1053 Dutchtown High 1033 Locust Grove High 1027
Board of Education 770-957-6601 schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us
What’s New: Fourteen regular classrooms and two science labs will be added to Dutchtown High School, along with associated workrooms, offices and restrooms.
PAULDING
PAULDING
BRASWELL
278
Board of Education 770-443-8000 paulding.k12.ga.us
Number of Schools Elementary 19 Middle 9 High 5 Alternative 1 Career 1
Total # of Students: 30,226 Student Spending: $9,419 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 512 (M) 522 5th: (ELA) 513 (M) 514 8th: (ELA) 520 (M) 509
2021 Average SAT: 1053
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Paulding County High 1078 North Paulding High 1077 East Paulding High 1034 Hiram High 1030 South Paulding High 1024
What’s New: Two East Paulding Middle School 7th-graders are being recognized for their heroic actions in a crisis situation. Their bus driver experienced a medical emergency en route to school and pulled off the road but couldn’t communicate. Kane Daugherty contacted the dispatcher and coordinated an emergency response while Conner Doss helped calm and organize the other children.
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 2 Total # of Students: 16,104 Student Spending: $10,640 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 481 (M) 486 5th: (ELA) 494 (M) 471 8th: (ELA) 509 (M) 482
2021 Average SAT: 1057
Top 3 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Rockdale High 1106 Heritage High 1019 Salem High 998
What’s New: Rockdale County Public Schools has been awarded about $5 million in the third round of the Georgia Department of Education’s Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading in Georgia (L4GA) grant.
Board of Education 404-802-3500
atlantapublicschools.us
Number of Schools Elementary 43 Intermediate 3 Middle 10 High 10 Charter 19 Alternative 4 Virtual 1
Total # of Students: 50,954 Student Spending: $16,269 2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 490 (M) 497 5th: (ELA) 500 (M) 488 8th: (ELA) 502 (M) 489
2021 Average SAT: 927
Top 5 Schools by Average 2021 SAT Score Midtown High 1082 Atlanta Classical Academy 1068 KIPP Atlanta Collegiate Academy 1034 North Atlanta High 1021 Charles R. Drew Charter High 946
What’s New: In tribute to the late Atlanta Braves baseball legend Hank Aaron, Atlanta Public Schools has renamed Forrest Hill Academy as the Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron New Beginnings Academy. Aaron is known for breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record and for the impact he made as a humanitarian.
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 High 1 Total # of Students: 5,155 Student Spending: $11,050
2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 543 (M) 556 5th: (ELA) 531 (M) 536 8th: (ELA) 554 (M) 558
2021 Average SAT: 1162
What’s New: For the seventh consecutive year, Buford City Schools was named the best public school district in Georgia, according to Niche’s annual report. Niche examines information from the U.S. Department of Education.
CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR
Board of Education 404-371-3601 csdecatur.net
Number of Schools Elementary 5 Middle 1 3rd-5th Grade Academy 1 4th & 5th Grade Academy 1 High 1 Early Learning Center 1 Virtual 1 Total # of Students: 5,695 Student Spending: $12,874
2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 550 (M) 550 5th: (ELA) 547 (M) 543 8th: (ELA) 547 (M) 530
2021 Average SAT: 1227
What’s New: Maggie Fehrman, City Schools of Decatur’s superintendent, has organized a Superintendent Advisory Team as a way of giving a voice to the student body with regard to school decisions. Twenty-six Decatur High students and 14 eighth-graders from Renfroe Middle School make up the team.
GAINESVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
Board of Education 770-536-5275 gcssk12.net
Number of Schools Elementary 6 Middle 1 High 1 Virtual 1 Total # of Students: 7,780 Student Spending: $9,716
2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 470 (M) 500 5th: (ELA) 494 (M) 495 8th: (ELA) 496 (M) 494
2021 Average SAT: 1055
What’s New: Gainesville City Schools continues progress on three new additions. The Gainesville Middle School West Campus, including a full football field and field house, and Gainesville High School’s three-story Student Activities Center are both set to open next fall. The third addition, a cafeteria and media center building at Gainesville High School, should be completed by January.
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 Early Learning 1 Total # of Students: 8,716 Student Spending: $12,455
2021 Mean Georgia Milestone Scores: 3rd: (ELA) 503 (M) 517 5th: (ELA) 517 (M) 512 8th: (ELA) 507 (M) 509
2021 Average SAT: 1073
What’s New: Marietta City Schools recently hosted its firstever Adapted Games, providing a day of non-competitive activities for students with intellectual disabilities. More than 100 participants rotated through stations like the 100-yard dash, shot put, javelin, bowling and more. Each challenge was adapted by the MCS staff to be more inclusive, as well as fun and educational. The district intends for the games to become an annual event.
