40 Facts About Atlanta Public Schools

A Historical Overview of Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Let's dive into some key historical facts about this long-standing institution.

1. Established in 1872: APS was founded in 1872, making it one of the oldest public school districts in the United States.
2. Celebrating 150 Years: APS celebrated its 150th anniversary in the last school year, marking a century and a half of educational service.

Current Enrollment and School Sites

APS serves a diverse student body across numerous school sites. Here are some important details about its current enrollment and facilities.

3. Active Enrollment: As of the latest data, APS has an active enrollment of 54,956 students.
4. School Sites: The district oversees 103 school sites, including 50 elementary schools, 19 charter schools, 5 partner schools, 2 citywide single-gender academies, and 3 alternative programs.

Graduation Rates and School Performance

Graduation rates are a key indicator of a school district's success. APS has made significant strides in this area.

5. Graduation Rate: In 2024, APS achieved an all-time high graduation rate of 88.4 percent for the Class of 2024, surpassing the state’s graduation rate by 3 percentage points.
6. Highest Graduation Rate: This marks the highest graduation rate ever recorded for the district, with 9 out of 16 schools showing percentage-point gains compared to the previous year.
7. Douglass High School: Douglass High School saw the largest increase in graduation rate, achieving a 12.7-percentage-point gain.
8. Washington High School: Washington High School also showed significant improvement with a 9.7-percentage-point gain.
9. Therrell High School: Therrell High School increased its graduation rate by 7.1 percentage points.
10. South Atlanta High School: South Atlanta High School saw a 4.4-percentage-point gain in graduation rate.
11. Jackson High School: Jackson High School achieved a 1.5-percentage-point gain in graduation rate, similar to Midtown High School.
12. Midtown High School: Midtown High School also achieved a 1.5-percentage-point gain in graduation rate.
13. KIPP Collegiate: KIPP Collegiate, a charter school, saw a 1.3-percentage-point gain in graduation rate.
14. Carver STEAM: Carver STEAM, another charter school, increased its graduation rate by 0.2 percentage points.
15. BEST High School: BEST High School, a single-gender school, achieved a 0.4-percentage-point gain in graduation rate.
16. High-Performing Schools: Eleven schools had graduation rates greater than 90 percent, including Atlanta Classical Academy (100%), Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy (100%), Drew Secondary (98.2%), KIPP Collegiate (94.3%), BEST (94.1%), North Atlanta (92.9%), Midtown (92.8%), Carver Early (92.7%), South Atlanta (92.2%), Therrell (91.7%), and Jackson High School (90.6%).

Enrollment Trends and Demographics

Understanding enrollment trends and demographics helps paint a clearer picture of the student population APS serves.

17. Enrollment Trends: The total enrollment in APS increased by about 300 students to 50,325 from October 2021 to October 2022.
18. North Atlanta Cluster: The North Atlanta cluster, which includes North Atlanta High School and its feeder schools, peaked in enrollment in grades K-2 with 2,805 students in 2013 and currently serves 1,828 students.
19. Jackson Cluster: The Jackson cluster enrollment is lowest in grades 6-8, with the lowest enrollment in these grades compared to other years.
20. Demographics: As of 2022, APS served 54,559 students with demographics consisting of 73% Black, 15% White, 8% Hispanic, and 4% other categories including Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and multiracial.

Academic Performance and Challenges

APS faces various academic challenges, but also has areas of strong performance.

21. Georgia Milestones Test Results: In 2022, only half of the district’s high school students attained overall mastery of content on the Georgia Milestones test, compared to 65% statewide.
22. Subject Performance: Atlanta high school students performed best in U.S. history with 63% of students reaching proficiency, while they performed worst in math (algebra) with only 34% reaching proficiency.
23. Inequities in Education: Despite efforts to ensure equitable outcomes, data shows that Atlanta students are not getting equal access to educational resources and are treated inequitably in discipline issues.
24. Guardrails for Equity: In 2021, the Board of Education adopted a set of guardrails aimed at pushing the district closer to strong, equitable outcomes for every student. The first guardrail focuses on equity, stating that the Superintendent will not allow inequitable treatment of students in academics, discipline, or access to financial resources.

Cluster-Specific Insights

Different clusters within APS show varying levels of performance and demographics.

25. North Atlanta Cluster Demographics: The North Atlanta cluster has demographics of 40% White students, 27% Black students, 23% Hispanic students, and 2% Native American students, with only 21% of students being economically disadvantaged.
26. Reading Scores: Reading scores in the North Atlanta cluster are the highest in the city, with 67% of students meeting benchmarks.
27. Math Scores: Math scores in the North Atlanta cluster are the second-highest in the city, with 25% of students meeting benchmarks.
28. Sutton Middle School: Sutton Middle School offers the IB Middle Years Programme and has high reading scores that place it in the top 20% in the state and in the top half of Georgia schools in math.
29. Long Middle School: Long Middle School has a higher suspension rate compared to Sutton Middle School, indicating potential challenges in maintaining academic rigor and student discipline.
30. South Atlanta Cluster Demographics: The South Atlanta cluster is overwhelmingly low-income and Black, with student reading and math scores among the lowest in the city.
31. South Atlanta High School Graduation Rate: Despite low scores, South Atlanta High School has a graduation rate of 84%, approaching the national rate of 87%.

Student Experiences and District Goals

APS aims to provide equitable educational opportunities for all students, despite the challenges.

32. Educational Journeys: The educational journeys of students like Zack Sumpter and Kayla Stanton illustrate how differences in opportunity, access, and support by geographic area affect young people’s experiences.
33. District Goals: District leaders aim to ensure every student graduates college- and career-ready, focusing on strong, equitable outcomes for every student.
34. Guardrails Implementation: The implementation of guardrails aimed at equity is crucial for addressing ongoing inequities in educational resources and treatment of students.
35. Challenges in Education: Despite efforts to improve, challenges such as low reading and math scores in certain clusters highlight ongoing issues in providing equal educational opportunities.
36. Student Support: Providing equal access to educational resources and support is essential for nurturing the talents of all students, regardless of their background or location.
37. Community Engagement: Engaging the community in educational initiatives is vital for ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed academically and professionally.
38. Innovative Programs: Implementing innovative programs like the IB Middle Years Programme at Sutton Middle School can significantly improve academic performance and provide students with a more rigorous educational environment.
39. Continuous Improvement: Atlanta Public Schools continues to strive for continuous improvement, addressing the unique challenges faced by different student populations and working towards a more equitable education system for all.
40. APS History: Atlanta Public Schools has a long history of influencing education in Atlanta, celebrating its 150th anniversary in the last school year.

Atlanta Public Schools: A Legacy of Growth and Achievement

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has come a long way since its founding in 1872. With an active enrollment of nearly 55,000 students, APS continues to evolve, achieving its highest graduation rate ever at 88.4% for the Class of 2024. Schools like Douglass, Washington, and Therrell High have shown remarkable improvements, reflecting the district's commitment to student success.

Despite challenges in educational equity and standardized test performance, APS remains dedicated to providing quality education. The district's focus on innovative programs and community engagement aims to bridge gaps and ensure all students have access to the resources they need.

APS's rich history and ongoing efforts highlight its role in shaping the future of Atlanta's youth. By striving for continuous improvement and equitable outcomes, APS is paving the way for a brighter future for all its students.