Education system and best schools in Georgia: Georgia Department of Education oversees public education. Top school districts include Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb. Highly rated private schools, e.g., Atlanta International School. Georgia offers robust Advanced Placement (AP) programs. Magnet schools focus on STEM, arts, and international studies. Georgia's high school graduation rate exceeds national average. School Choice: Charter and magnet options available. HOPE Scholarship supports qualifying Georgia students. Pre-K programs funded through Georgia Lottery. Community college options: Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter.
Georgia Department of Education oversees public education.
The Georgia Department of Education oversees public education in the state, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, managing the distribution of state and federal funding, developing the Georgia Standards of Excellence, and supporting various educational programs and initiatives to improve school performance and student learning.
Top school districts include Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb.
While Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb counties are among the larger school districts in Georgia, they do not rank as the top districts according to Niche's 2024 Rankings. Instead, Buford City Schools, Oconee County Schools, and Forsyth County Schools are among the top-ranked districts, with Gwinnett County Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Cobb County Schools ranking within the top 30.
Highly rated private schools, e.g., Atlanta International School.
Atlanta International School (AIS) is a highly rated private school in Atlanta, Georgia, offering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from 3K to Grade 12. It is known for its diverse and inclusive community, with students and faculty representing over 90 countries, and a robust academic, language, and cultural program that includes multiple language immersion options and a range of extracurricular activities. For more information, please visit the Atlanta International School website.
Georgia offers robust Advanced Placement (AP) programs.
Georgia offers robust Advanced Placement (AP) programs, with a significant increase in AP tests administered from 2011-2012 to 2015-2016, and a rise in the percentage of high school students taking AP tests from 14.8% to 16.9%. The state also supports rural districts through the Georgia Rural AP STEM Initiative to enhance AP program participation and success.
Magnet schools focus on STEM, arts, and international studies.
In Georgia, magnet schools offer specialized programs focusing on STEM, arts, and other areas. For example, A.R. Johnson Magnet School emphasizes engineering, health sciences, and computer science, while John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School focuses on fine arts. Schools like C.T. Walker Magnet School and Wynnton Arts Academy integrate arts and STEM education to provide a well-rounded curriculum. To learn more about these exciting opportunities, visit the Magnet Schools Website for comprehensive information and resources.
Georgia's high school graduation rate exceeds national average.
Georgia's high school graduation rate reached a record high of 84.4% in 2023, slightly above the national average of 87% from the last available data in 2020. This improvement is part of a steady increase since 2012, with notable achievements in various school districts, including some recording graduation rates of 100%. For more detailed information on this topic, you can refer to the comprehensive coverage on Fox5 Atlanta.
School Choice: Charter and magnet options available.
Georgia offers various school choice options, including charter schools, magnet schools, and private school choice programs. Charter schools are publicly funded but operate with fewer regulations, while magnet schools provide specialized educational programs. Both options allow for greater flexibility and choice for students and their families. For more detailed information on these opportunities, visit the EdChoice website.
HOPE Scholarship supports qualifying Georgia students.
The HOPE Scholarship in Georgia is a merit-based award that provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate degree at eligible colleges or universities in the state. It requires a minimum 3.00 grade point average in high school and the maintenance of a 3.00 cumulative postsecondary GPA to remain eligible. For more detailed information, please visit the HOPE Scholarship website.
Pre-K programs funded through Georgia Lottery.
Georgia's Pre-K Program, funded through the Georgia Lottery, is a voluntary educational program for four-year-old residents, aiming to prepare children for kindergarten. The program operates on the regular school calendar, with services available at public schools and private providers, and requires proof of age and residency for enrollment. For more detailed information, you can visit the official Georgia's Pre-K Program website.
Community college options: Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter.
Perimeter College at Georgia State University, formerly known as Georgia Perimeter College, is a prominent community college option in Georgia, offering over 30 associate degree pathways across five metro Atlanta campuses and a robust online program. Founded in 1958 as DeKalb College, it merged with Georgia State University in 2016, continuing to provide access to higher education and a seamless transition to bachelor's degree programs.