The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is a
school district
A school district is a special-purpose district that operates local public primary and secondary schools in various nations.
North America United States
In the U.S, most K–12 public schools function as units of local school districts, wh ...
headquartered at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard in
unincorporated Unincorporated may refer to:
* Unincorporated area, land not governed by a local municipality
* Unincorporated entity, a type of organization
* Unincorporated territories of the United States, territories under U.S. jurisdiction, to which Congress ...
DeKalb County DeKalb County may refer to one of several counties in the United States, all of which were named for Baron Johan DeKalb:
* DeKalb County, Alabama
* DeKalb County, Georgia
* DeKalb County, Illinois
* DeKalb County, Indiana
* DeKalb County, Missour ...
,
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, near
Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome Inselberg, monadnock and the site of Stone Mountain Park, east of Atlanta, Georgia. Outside the park is the small city of Stone Mountain, Georgia. The park is the most visited tourist site in the state o ...
and in the
Atlanta metropolitan area.
DCSD operates public schools in areas of DeKalb County that are not within the city limits of
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
and
Decatur. It will serve a portion of Atlanta annexed by that city in 2018 until 2024, when that portion will be re-assigned to
Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is a school district based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is run by the Atlanta Board of Education with superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring. The system has an active enrollment of 54,956 students, attending a t ...
(APS).
The school district is overseen by the seven-member DeKalb County Board of Education. The interim superintendent/CEO is, as of May 18, 2022, Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley. The system educates more than 102,000 students at 138 schools with more than 14,000 full-time employees and 6,000 teachers. In 2018, the school system graduated over 5,800 students from
high school
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...
.
The district includes three of the top-ranked schools in the nation in 2018 according to ''
U.S. News & World Report''. The
DeKalb School of the Arts
DeKalb School of the Arts (DSA) is a public performing arts magnet school in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, east of the city of Atlanta. It is a part of the DeKalb County School District, as well as a member of the Arts Schools Network.
...
earned a gold designation after being ranked No. 75 overall, and No. 2 in Georgia.
Chamblee Charter High School also earned a gold designation, ranking No. 457 nationwide and No. 14 in Georgia. The
Arabia Mountain High School
Arabia Mountain High School Academy of Engineering Medicine and Environmental Studies is located on the edge of the Arabia Mountain green space in Stonecrest, Georgia, United States, - Compare city map to the location of the school. with a Lith ...
Academy of Engineering-Medicine performed well enough to earn a silver designation, ranking No. 58 in Georgia.
DeKalb Early College Academy earned a bronze designation, ranking No. 68 in Georgia.
DCSD is also home to Henderson Mill Elementary School, the first
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) certified school in Georgia.
History
Accreditation
In 2017, the DeKalb County School District received a full, five-year renewal of its accreditation from
AdvancED, through 2022. The renewal comes after the district regained full accreditation in 2016.
On December 17, 2012, the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools announced that it had downgraded the DeKalb County School District's status from "on advisement" to "on probation" and warned the school system that the loss of their accreditation was "imminent."
["DeKalb school district in 'conflict and crisis,' put on probation by accreditation agency."](_blank)
." The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. December 17, 2012. Retrieved on December 19, 2012]." The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. December 17, 2012. Retrieved on December 19, 2012.
On January 21, 2014, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools announced that it had upgraded the DeKalb County School District's status from "probation" to "accredited warned" which is below full accreditation status.
Academic Achievement
In 2017, the DCSD College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score increased to 70, up from 66 in 2016. Since 2016, the CCRPI score for elementary schools increased five points; middle schools increased three points; and high schools increased nearly one full point.
In 2017, more than 2,500 students in DCSD took the ACT, earning a composite score of 19.8, compared to last year's composite score of 19.4. That same year, more than 3,500 students took the SAT; the district's total composite score continues to improve year-over-year. DeKalb's 2017 total mean score for the SAT was 980.
The four-year graduation rate for DCSD's Class of 2017 was 74 percent, a four-point increase from the 2016 graduation rate of 70 percent. Between 2013 and 2017, the District graduation rate improved 14 percentage points.
Indictment
Former DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis was indicted in 2012, along with former DeKalb County Schools Chief Operating Officer Pat Pope (Reed), and others, on criminal charges related to a school construction scandal. The indictment listed four counts of
racketeering, as well as
theft by taking and
bribery.
Shooting and hostage situation
On August 20, 2013, a man with an
AK-47
The AK-47, officially known as the ''Avtomat Kalashnikova'' (; also known as the Kalashnikov or just AK), is a gas-operated assault rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms d ...
entered the front office of Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy, an elementary school, and barricaded himself. He fired six shots at police officers outside, who returned fire. The school's students were evacuated. Antoinette Tuff, a school bookkeeper, was able to convince him to surrender without further violence; she was later praised by President
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Obama was the first African-American president of the ...
for her courage and calmness in defusing the situation.
Bus drivers' strike
From April 19–23, 2018 nearly 400
school bus drivers for the district participated in a
strike
Strike may refer to:
People
* Strike (surname)
Physical confrontation or removal
*Strike (attack), attack with an inanimate object or a part of the human body intended to cause harm
*Airstrike, military strike by air forces on either a suspected ...
over low pay and little
employee benefits. Inspired in part by the
concurrent nationwide teacher strikes in states such as
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the B ...
,
Oklahoma and
Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
, bus drivers for the district planned a "sick-out". About 42 percent of bus drivers in the county participated, causing nearly 60-90 minute delays in students being picked up for school. As a
right-to-work state, public sector employees are prohibited in
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
from striking. The strike resulted in at least 7 bus drivers, particularly ones who helped organize the strike, being terminated of employment.
Emory and CDC annexation by Atlanta
The City of Atlanta, in 2017, agreed to annex territory in DeKalb County, including the
Centers for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgi ...
and
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1836 as "Emory College" by the Methodist Episcopal Church and named in honor of Methodist bishop John Emory, Emory is the second-oldest private institution of ...
, effective January 1, 2018.
In 2016 Emory University made a statement that "Annexation of Emory into the City of Atlanta will not change school districts, since neighboring communities like
Druid Hills
Druid Hills is a community which includes both a census-designated place (CDP) in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, as well as a neighborhood of the city of Atlanta. The CDP's population was 14,568 at the 2010 census. The ...
will still be self-determining regarding annexation." By 2017 the city agreed to include the annexed area in the boundaries of
Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is a school district based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is run by the Atlanta Board of Education with superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring. The system has an active enrollment of 54,956 students, attending a t ...
(APS), a move decried by the leadership of the DeKalb county district as it would take taxable property away from that district.
[ In 2017 the number of children living in the annexed territory who attended public schools was nine. The area ultimately went to APS,][ and as part of a 2019 settlement Emory would help establish school-based clinics for DeKalb schools. Students will be rezoned to APS effective 2024; they will be zoned to DeKalb schools before then.
]
Schools and centers
Elementary schools
Zoned
Optional
* DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts (2002)
* Oakcliff Traditional Theme School (unincorporated)
* Oakcliff Traditional Theme School (as of 1993, formerly Oakcliff Elementary) (1964)
Middle schools
Zoned
High schools
Zoned
Optional
* Arabia Mountain High School
Arabia Mountain High School Academy of Engineering Medicine and Environmental Studies is located on the edge of the Arabia Mountain green space in Stonecrest, Georgia, United States, - Compare city map to the location of the school. with a Lith ...
* DeKalb School of the Arts
DeKalb School of the Arts (DSA) is a public performing arts magnet school in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, east of the city of Atlanta. It is a part of the DeKalb County School District, as well as a member of the Arts Schools Network.
...
(unincorporated)
* Elizabeth Andrews High School (unincorporated)
Centers
Alternative
Partnerships
* Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) sometimes simply referred to as ''Children's'', is a not-for-profit children's healthcare system, located in the Atlanta area dedicated to caring for infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–2 ...
Former schools
Elementary schools
* Atherton Elementary (1964-2011)
* Brookhaven Elementary School 1948-1975 (DeKalb Public Library, North Druid Hills branch annex 1976-1985, Brookhaven Boys' and Girls' Club 1985-2017.property sold for residential development demolished 2018)
* Jim Cherry Elementary School 1949-1975 (North Dekalb Mental Health Center, 1976-1988, Seigakuin International Japanese School 1990-2003, PATH Academy charter school 2005-current)
* Forrest Hills Elementary School, 1954-2004 (The Museum School of Avondale Estates Charter School 2012-current)
* Glen Haven Elementary (1943-2011) Current home of DeKalb Preparatory Academy Charter School
* Gresham Park Elementary (1958-2011) Demolished in 2014
* Margaret Harris Elementary School, 1967-1988 (currently Margaret Harris Comprehensive School)
* Heritage Elementary School, 1968-1999 (Heritage School 2000-2010, Globe Academy Charter 2013-current)
* Hooper Alexander Elementary School, 1935-2008 (building destroyed by fire January 2014) Remainder of Building demolished in 2014
* Kittredge Elementary School 1958-1975 (4th-7th grades only 1969-1974, special needs students K-7 1970-1975) (open campus West High school 1975-1988, Kittredge Magnet School 1989-2008, International Student Center 2008-2012) Currently houses John R. Lewis ES until new building is constructed on current site of Skyland Park, which was acquired through land deal with City of Brookhaven.
* Medlock Elementary School, 1951-2011 (The International Community Charter School private academy, ten-year lease for the building 2012-current)
* Midway Elementary (1958-2015) Currently houses International Community Charter School
* Nancy Creek Elementary School, 1970-2008 (Kittredge Magnet School 2008-current)
* Northwoods Elementary School 1954-1984 (Yeshivah Hebrew Orthodox High School 1986-2016 Currently home of Tapestry Charter School)
* Oakcliff Elementary, 1964-1993 (Oakcliff Traditional Theme School, 1993-current)
* Rehoboth Elementary School, 1963-1979 (Dekalb Schools employee training and records center 1980-1998, The William Bradley Bryant Center, 1999-current)
* Shallowford Elementary School, 1968-1997 (Chamblee Middle School 1997-2006, demolished in July 2014)
* Robert Shaw Elementary School, 1955-1969 (Robert Shaw student Diagnostic Testing and Instructional center 1970-1997, Robert Shaw Theme School 1998-current)
* Sky Haven Elementary (1955-2011) (property held/maintained for school system's possible future reuse (2011-2016), site demolished summer 2016)
* Skyland Elementary School 1948-1989 (Georgia Dept. of Human Resources, Center for Vital Records 1991-2017) Bought by City of Brookhaven 2017 for Skyland park.future home of John R.Lewis Elementary School(opening 2022)in Land swap deal with City of Brookhaven after study of dramatic population increase in the area indicated need of a new School.
* Leslie J. Steele Elementary School, 1951-2006 (demolished and site reconstructed as Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy 2008)
* W.D. Thomson Elementary School, 1939-1975 (demolished 1976)
* Tilson Elementary (1958-2008) Demolished in 2014
* Tucker Elementary School, 1955-1983 (Tucker Recreation Center, 1985-current)
* Wesley Chapel Elementary School, 1953-1979 (currently Dekalb Transition Academy, since 1990) Demolished in 2016
Middle schools
* Avondale Middle School (unincorporated, adjacent to the city of Avondale Estates), 2000-2011 (housed Fernbank Elementary School, 2013–2015) Currently undergoing renovations to become Performing Arts School
High schools
* Avondale High School (unincorporated, adjacent to the city of Avondale Estates) 1955-2011 Part of building has been converted to records storage. Other portion houses DeKalb School of the Arts.
* Briarcliff High School
Briarcliff High School (BHS) is a public secondary school in Briarcliff Manor, New York that serves students in grades 9– 12. It is the only high school in the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District, sharing its campus with Briarcliff ...
, 1962-1987 ( 1988-2008 Dekalb School of the Arts and Open Campus High School, demolished summer 2018)
* Bruce Street High School, 1938-1968
* John B. Gordon High School, 1959-1986 (Became Ronald E. McNair Middle School)
* Hamilton High School (Scottdale, Georgia), 1924-1969 a school for African Americans, currently Hamilton Recreation Center
* Henderson High School 1970-1996 (currently Henderson Middle School)
* Peachtree High School, 1968-1988 (Peachtree Jr High School 1988-2002; demolished, site reconstructed as Peachtree Charter Middle School 2008)
* Sequoyah High School (DeKalb County, Georgia) 1965-1988,(currently Sequoyah Middle School)
* Shamrock High School, 1967-1996 (Shamrock Middle School 1996-2011, name changed to Druid Hills Middle School 2011-current)
* Walker High School, 1966-1987 (Renamed Ronald E. McNair High School)
Centers:
* DeKalb Transition Academy (formerly Wesley Chapel Elementary School) Building was demolished in 2016
* Destiny Academy of Excellence, 2007-2018(unincorporated)
District facilities
* Administrative and Instructional Complex (unincorporated area
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
near Stone Mountain) — The building complex was originally built as an American Fare. After this closed, DeKalb County School District bought the property. The district renovated the original building, converting commercial spaces into educational and office spaces. The building served for a short time as the district's alternative high school before becoming the Administrative and Instructional Complex.
* The William Bradley Bryant Center (unincorporated area near Decatur)[Schools and Centers]
." DeKalb County School System. Retrieved on September 18, 2012. "Admin. and Instructional Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083" and "5839 Memorial Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083" and "1780 Montreal Road Tucker, GA 30084" and "2652 Lawrenceville Highway Decatur, GA 30033"
* East DeKalb Campus (unincorporated area near Stone Mountain)
* Sam Moss Service Center(1975) District Logistics Distribution and Storage. District Facilities and Grounds Maintenance. District Transportation Pool and Servicing facilities. (unincorporated area near Tucker
Tucker may refer to:
Places United States
* Tucker, Arkansas
* Tucker, Georgia
* Tucker, Mississippi
* Tucker, Missouri
* Tucker, Utah, ghost town
* Tucker County, West Virginia
Outer space
* Tucker (crater), a small lunar impact crater in the s ...
)
Athletics
The district offers 17 athletic programs and earned 253 state championships dating back to 1938; the majority of the titles came from track and field and wrestling. The county provides five athletic stadiums:
See also
*Fernbank Science Center
The Fernbank Science Center is a museum, classroom, and woodland complex located in Atlanta. It is owned and operated by the DeKalb County School System, which announced in May 2012 it was considering closing the facility to cut its annual budget, ...
References
External links
DeKalb County School District
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dekalb County School System
School districts in Georgia (U.S. state)
School
A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes comp ...
DeKalb County School District
School districts established in 1873
1873 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)