Johns Creek Public Schools: Exceptional, Award-Winning, Nationally Ranked

TheNorth Fulton City of Johns Creek, home to more than 85,000 residents, features some of Georgia’s finest public educational options, ranging from kindergarten through high school. With overwhelming support from parents and the surrounding community alike, Johns Creek students consistently rank among the most accomplished academics in the State and excel in all walks of school life: academic, athletic and extra-curricular.

The 19 Fulton County public elementary, middle and high schools which serve the residents of Johns Creek are the backbone of the community. They are one of the main reasons people choose to live here to raise their families and educate their children.

The area is serviced by four outstanding high schools: Chattahoochee High School, Johns Creek High School, Northview High School, and Centennial High School. These high schools are under Fulton County Learning Zones 5 & 6.

Chattahoochee High School

Chattahoochee High School is a National Blue Ribbon School of

Excellence with a diverse student population of approximately 1,800. The Chattahoochee vision is to create a community where everyone loves to learn, work, and serve. Established in 1991, the school has continuously climbed in several national, state, and local rankings. Chattahoochee is ranked in the top 2% of schools across the nation by both Newsweek and the Washington Post, while U.S. News ranks Chattahoochee as one of the top STEM schools in the nation.

The State of Georgia has created a comprehensive report card called the CCRPI (College & Career Readiness Performance Index) that looks at a variety of data to gauge a school’s performance. In addi-

Chattahoochee High School Highlights

• State Academic Bowl Champions (Varsity) 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2002

• State Academic Bowl Champions (JV) 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2006, 2003

• State History Bowl Champions 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013,

• State Champion Economics Bowl-2020, 2019, 2017 2015 -2023 runners-up

• 9-time State Debate Champions 2015, 2013, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 1998

• AP Merit, AP Humanities, AP STEM, and AP STEM Achievement School

• 2022 Niche rating of #5 in Georgia and #181 in the nation

• 2022 U.S. News and World Report (#400 nationally, #13 in Georgia, and #220 STEM High School, nationally) tion to End of Course Milestone scores, the state compares pathway completions, graduation rates, attendance rates, college readiness, rigor of course loads, and how the school works with various subgroups. In the last calculation of CCRPI in 2019, Chattahoochee had the highest CCRPI in Fulton County and is ranked in the top-10 of high schools. Chattahoochee is also one of the few high schools with a 5-star climate rating, reflecting the satisfaction students, staff, parents, and the community have with the school.

In 2022, Chattahoochee’s graduation rate was 97.3%, with 5% of seniors going on to attend two-year colleges while 86% matriculated

• Named “One of the Area’s Best High Schools” by Atlanta Magazine

• 2020 State Champs Boys Basketball

• 2018, 2017, and 2011 State Champs Boys Soccer

• 2023, 2014 and 1996 State Champs Boys Swimming

• 2010 State Champs Football

• 2009 State Champs Girls Lacrosse

• 2005 State Champs Baseball

• 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000 State Champs Cheerleading

• 2004 State Champs Boys Tennis

• 2003, 1999, 1998, 1997 State Champs Girls Tennis

• 2000, 1996, 1995, 1993 State Champs Girls Swimming

• 1998 State Champs Boys Golf

• 2023 Individual State Champs in Cross Country and Track and Field four-year universities. Chattahoochee offers 31 Advanced Placement classes of which over 46% of students participate in the AP program. In 2022, there was an 83% pass rate, and in 2023, there were 835 students taking 1727 AP exams.

For the 5th consecutive year, Chattahoochee has graduated another cohort through the College Board’s distinguished AP Capstone program. These students took the inter-disciplinary courses AP Seminar and AP Research, culminating in a 5000-word academic paper and a 20 minute multimedia presentation with an oral defense. In 2022, Chattahoochee also boasted 23 National Merit Finalists and 13 Governor’s Honors Program Finalists, and 42.5% of its graduating class earned the HOPE Scholarship and 28.9% earned the Zell Miller scholarship.

In addition to academic excellence, the Chattahoochee Cougars compete in 17 varsity sports in Georgia’s third-highest classification of 5A. The Cougars have won numerous State Championships in Basketball, Football, Baseball, Boys Soccer, Swimming, Girls Lacrosse, Cheerleading, Tennis, and Golf in the last 27 years.

Apart from sports, Chattahoochee students can participate in a wide variety of academic, enrichment, and service organizations, with almost 100 clubs and literary publications from which to choose. The school has a rich tradition of excellence in the Arts, which includes a well-established and diverse music program. CHS performing arts groups (band, chorus, and orchestra) consistently receive superior ratings at the annual Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE). Our Marching Band competes in multiple festivals each year and often places at Nationals. Furthermore, the Dramatic Arts program offers advanced coursework in both acting, musical theater, and tech- nical theater. The combined programs produce five major productions each year (with many students receiving nominations to the Shuler Performing Arts Awards). Students may also partake in the Visual Arts program which offers courses that span from drawing, painting, and photography to ceramics and sculpture. They also offer a range of Advanced Placement Courses, including AP Music Theory, AP 3D Art, AP 2D Art, AP Drawing, and AP Art History.

The Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Department at Chattahoochee High School offers robust studies in Computer Science, Healthcare Science, Engineering, Graphic Design, Marketing Management, Fashion Marketing, Sports Medicine, Animation, and Automotive Technologies. This spring, 208 students completed a CTAE pathway and tested in the appropriate End of Pathway Assessment. 85% of those students successfully passed their exams. For many, this means they are now industry certified in their concentrating pathway. The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification was awarded to 33 students. The Adobe Certified Professional certification in Photoshop was awarded to 10 students. Three Automotive students became ASE certified (Automotive Service Excellence). In addition, 12 of our seniors earned Distinguished Employability Skills diploma seals; 45 earned Employability/Soft Skills seals. The Distinguished Pathway Skills diploma seal was earned by two seniors along with 145 Pathway Skills seals. This totaled 214 diploma seals earned by graduating seniors signifying their accomplishments in either Work Based Learning and/ or their pathway content area. The Chattahoochee Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter had 13 students place in state-level competitions, 6 students qualify for FBLA nationals, and earned Gold Chapter of the Year. The Chatta- hoochee DECA chapter had 12 students place at the region level to move on to the DECA State Career Development Conference. Another 12 students started their competition at the State level; for a total of 24 attendees. Two students placed at State to attend DECA ICDC for event competition and one student qualified for the Emerging Leader Academy.

Chattahoochee’s competitive academic teams have also set the bar for state and national excellence.

The Varsity Academic Bowl team was crowned State Champions in 2023 for the 8th time in the last 10 years, while the JV Academic Bowl team won their 3rd consecutive State Championship in 2023. The Chattahoochee History Bowl team’s 8-year streak as History Bowl State Champions was broken by friendly cross-town rivals Johns Creek High School in 2023.

The Science Olympiad team was the 2021 State Champions and earned second in the nation during the same year. The team is consistently state recognized, having qualified to compete at the state level tournament each year since 2015. In 2015, the Debate team won the State Championship, bringing the total to 9 State Debate Championships for the Cougars.

The Chattahoochee mission is clear - to lead students to their full potential through excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and service to the community. A renewed focus on personalization and collaboration provides even more opportunities to reach new heights.

Johns Creek High School

Johns Creek High School is committed to creating a collaborative environment that develops all students into critical thinkers, life-long learners and productive citizens who aspire to the values of

(continued from page 19) integrity, service, and excellence. As Johns Creek embarks upon its fourteenth school year, the culture of high academic achievement, award-winning fine arts and sports, and an instructional staff leading engaging lessons, all contribute to our students being equipped for wherever life takes them. Whether headed to any of Georgia’s state or private universities, the Ivy League, or straight into a career, students in 9th-12th grades have myriad opportunities for personal growth and an amazing education.

Johns Creek High School is a traditional comprehensive high school, part of the Fulton County Public School System. JCHS was established in 2009 to serve students living in southeast Duluth and East Alpharetta in North Fulton County. The student population of Johns Creek reflects cultural, geographic, and economic diversity. Our students are supported by active parents who annually volunteer thousands of hours within a community that values education. The PTSA has received many recognitions over the years including Most Outstanding Local High School Chapter and National PTA School of Excellence, in addition to being named recipient of the Reaching for the Stars and Highest Membership Increase Award.

Students at Johns Creek continually meet and exceed high expectations and are led by a teaching staff that is second to none. According to the US News and World Report of 2021 JCHS earned the follow-

Johns Creek High School Highlights

• US News and World report – 19th in State and 594th Nationally

• AP participation rate is 70%

• 97% Graduation Rate, with 93.8% attending 4-year colleges

• 80% of graduating seniors earn HOPE scholarships

• Governor’s Office of Student Achievement – “Highest Performing”

• GreatSchools.org College Success Award earned in 2018, 2019, 2020

• 16 seniors designated as National Merit Scholarship Finalists

• Eight students selected for GMEA High School All-State Band

• Three students selected as Principal Chairs for their instrument

• Two students selected for the National Association for Music education’s All-National Honor Band, both as principal chairs

• 10 students selected for All-State Chorus

• JCHS’s production of Much Ado About Nothings placed 3rd in GHSA Regional One Act Competition

• Thespian Troupe named Gold Level Honors Troupe

• Our musical, Bright Star, received four Georgia High School Musical Shuler nominations

• Over 50 students awarded in Scholastic Art and Writing Regional Competition

• Academic Bowl will compete at NAQT and PACE Nationals this summer

• Our Career Technology Student Organization had the most students make the stage (top 10) of all Fulton County Schools ing distinctions: #594 in National Rankings; #19 in Georgia High Schools; #14 in Atlanta Metro Area High Schools; #5 in Fulton County High Schools; #200 in STEM High Schools (National). We offer a wide variety of AP classes (24) and Honors-level courses (22). Our graduation rate is 97.3%, with 93.8% attending four-year colleges. In 2021, 80% of our graduates were HOPE Scholars. We are proud to announce that 16 seniors have earned the distinguished honor of National Merit Scholarship Finalist for 2021. The graduating class of 2021 submitted more than 3,000 college applications was awarded over $15 million dollars in scholarships. An overwhelming number of students at Johns Creek High School graduate on time with appropriate skills to further their social/emotional, academic, and college/career success.

Our Audio/Video Technology & Film program is traditionally an integral part of the daily lives of JCHS

• FBLA won award for Chapter of the Year-Gold –Superior level

• 98% of Career Tech students passing the End of Pathway exam

• The Pulse literary magazine recognized with Silver Crown Award by Columbia Scholastic Press Association

• ATVF won 2019 Southeast Emmys in Sports (Athlete Spotlight) and Editor categories

• 2018-2019 PTSA Reaching for the Stars Award & National School of Excellence

• State Champions in Boys Golf 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021; Girls Golf 2017, 2018 and 2019

• State Champions Cheerleading 2009 & 2016

• State Champions Boys and Girls Tennis 2012

• State Champions Boys Tennis 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

• State Champions Boys Swim & Dive 2019, 2021, 2022

• Boys and Girls Lacrosse advanced to Elite 8

• State Champions Girls Soccer 2021

• Boys Soccer advance to State Championship game and finish as Runner-up 2021

• 4 Region/Area Coaches of the Year

• 2nd Place Boys Volleyball – State

• 11 Medal winners in Scholastic Art & Writing National Competition

• 2 students selected for GHP in visual art.

• Student received a perfect score on AP Drawing Portfolio students and staff. The awardwinning production team has a presence at all school events and has produced videos for the GA Department of Education on Bus Safety, as well as Fulton County Schools.

JCHS has some of the strongest student athletes in the state of Georgia. Each year many athletes across multiple sports sign a National Letter of Intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. The Varsity Football program had their best season to date by reaching the Elite 8 of the GHSA state playoffs. This year JCHS added Girls Flag Football as a varsity sport and reached the 2nd round of the playoffs in their very first season. The Boys Swim & Dive program won its 2nd straight GHSA State Championship and 3rd in 4 years. Both the Boys and Girls Varsity Tennis Teams reached the State Semi Finals and are still competing for the State Championship. The Girls and Boys Soccer teams both reached the state playoffs again with the Girls team making the Elite 8. Both Lacrosse programs have qualified for the state playoffs with the Girls program winning the Area title. Each lacrosse team is looking to advance deeper into the playoffs. Both Golf programs won Area Championships and will advance to the GHSA State Championships. The Boys Golf program is looking to win its 6th straight state championship while the Girls Golf program is looking to make its 5th straight top 2 team ranking. The Boys Track team won its 1st Region Championship and is looking to compete at the sectional and state meets in the coming weeks.

Our World Languages Department continues its legacy of excellence at the national and state levels. Seventy-five percent of the students participating in the National French Contest were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals for their excellent score on the exam. Liza McPherson was a Platinum winner for level 2H. There are currently 31 National French Honor Society Students, and 38 National Spanish Honor Society Students. Johns Creek awarded 10 students with the International Skills Diploma Seal along with Emily Cory as the Star Student. Additionally, 41 seniors qualified to receive the Seal for Biliteracy.

The Johns Creek High School Orchestra was once again selected to the prestigious Midwest Clinic – International Band & Orchestra Conference in Chicago this winter. This is the third time for the Johns Creek High School Orchestra getting invited to this event (2012, 2017, 2022). Our Band Program had eight students selected for the GMEA High School All-State Band, three as Principal Chairs for their instrument. The band program also had two students selected for the National Association for Music Education’s All-National Honor Band, both as principal chairs as well. In addition, two band students were also selected to participate in the Governor’s Honors Program this summer for Music. The Johns Creek Wintergaurd is a member of SAPA, Southern Association of Performing Arts and won the Gold Medal in the Scholastic Regional A Class out of 48 other competing teams. Our Choral Program is equally involved having 10 students selected for All-State Chorus, 3 selected for All-State Reading Chorus, and 17 selected for District V Honors Chorus. Our Advanced Treble Chorus, “Camerata”, competed in Georgia Southern University’s Southern Invitational and received 2nd overall in the competition. Our Advanced Tenor-Bass Chorus, “Kor”, hosted 76 other singers in our inaugural “Tenor Bass Chorus Day Event.” Two students in the chorus were nominated for the Georgia Musical Theater awards:

Our Theatre department was selected to perform at the Georgia State Thespian Festival with their performance of Much Ado About Nothing. This performance also earned 3rd Place in the GHSA Regional One Act Competition. One of our theatre students wrote a play that was selected for a staged reading at the Thespian Festival, one of only two selected in the whole state. Our Thespian troupe received the distinguished honor of being named a Gold Level Honors Troupe. Our musical, Bright Star, received four Georgia High School Musical Shuler nominations in the categories of Best Actress, Best Supporting Performer, Technical Execution and Musical Direction.

Our JC Visual Art students continue to win national, regional, and local awards in 2023 with over 70 Scholastic Art & Writing regional awards, 12 national medals and 2 special awards with scholarships, Kiwanis 1st Place winner and numerous awards at the North Fulton High School Show. During the summer of 2023, two visual arts students will attend the Governor’s Honors Program. Advanced Placement Art Portfolio students score extremely well with a student receiving a perfect score on the Drawing Portfolio in 2022. In addition to drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, jewelry, and ceramics, the Johns Creek art department offers a fashion design curriculum; one of only 2 in the county.

Johns Creek Academic bowl team did not quit even during the pandemic. During Pandemic years 2019- 2020, JCHS Academic Bowl team qualified for HIGH Q sponsored by WSB-TV. We went for 3 tapings and won all of them then stopped due to covid. In 2021, our team qualified for nationals and competed in both NAQT and Pace nationals through Zoom platform.

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