Atlanta Public Schools is one of the top-performing urban school systems in America. Our innovative learning programs, nationally recognized best practices and excellent teachers are making a difference in the lives of our 50,000 K-12 students. We are committed to ensuring that all students graduate from our schools ready for success in college and life, and prepared to build a stronger Atlanta. A GUIDE TO THE ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2008-2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................................................................1 Letter From Dr. Hall ......................................................................................................................................................2 Fast Facts ..........................................................................................................................................................................5 SCHOOL SYSTEM Focused on the Future .............................................................................................................................................6-7 School Highlights 2007-08 ............................................................................................................................... 8-10 National Spotlight ........................................................................................................................................................11 Project GRAD ........................................................................................................................................................ 12-13 High School Magnet Programs ............................................................................................................................14 Map of Schools .............................................................................................................................................................15 School Calendar ...........................................................................................................................................................16 Meal Prices ....................................................................................................................................................................16 School Listings ...................................................................................................................................................... 17-19 PARENTS Parents Make A Difference ....................................................................................................................................21 No Child Left Behind and Your Parental Rights ............................................................................................22 Glossary of Commonly Used Terms ...................................................................................................................23 STUDENTS Top 10 Reasons to be Proud of APS .................................................................................................................25 Eight Consecutive Years of Test Score Gains ................................................................................................26 Athletics ...........................................................................................................................................................................27 Office of Student Programs and Services .......................................................................................................28 COMMUNITY Community Engagement .................................................................................................................................. 30-31 Keeping You Informed ...............................................................................................................................................32 Atlanta Board of Education ..................................................................................................... Inside Back Cover Important Telephone Numbers ..........................................................................................................Back Cover 2008-09 GUIDEBOOK 1 Letter From Dr. Hall MAKING A DIFFERENCE Dear Parents, Students, Employees and Friends of Atlanta Public Schools, elcome to another school year. This is the • In classrooms from kindergarten through 12th season during which students sport their grade, students will benefit from the special training Wnew outfits or uniforms, unpack new school all 2,000 of the district’s math and science teachers supplies, make new friends and meet new teachers. received in the summer. Skills in those subject areas Most importantly, students are getting ready to learn are in high demand. We’re teaching students using new subjects and master higher level studies. And we, methods that reflect the way the real world works – as a school system, are positioning ourselves further through problem-solving techniques, hands-on to prepare our children for their places of power and demonstration and project-based team work. purpose in the world. • Our elementary schools will continue to shine, as we By all accounts, we’re making a difference. build on the comprehensive instructional reform models we began in 1999. Our schools have been Atlanta Public Schools ended 2007-2008 with an described as “model,” “blue ribbon” and eighth year of steady, across-the-board gains. Students “distinguished.” We are growing stronger and are on every grade level are not only meeting standards continuing to fulfill our obligations to our students. – they’re exceeding them. In addition to test scores that are on the rise, graduation and college enrollment For more about what we’ve done and where we’re rates are increasing. In fact, in May 2008, crossing going, please take the time to read this guidebook from the stage were approximately 2,000 graduates, who cover to cover. You’ll find useful information about took with them over $64 million in scholarships to the school calendar, transportation schedule and some of the most prestigious colleges and universities frequently used contacts. I ask that you also visit our around the nation. Web site, www.atlantapublicschools.us, for the latest information about our school district. As we open the doors of this school year, students can look forward to a number of exciting endeavors. I’m We’re working hard to keep you informed. We’re pleased to share a few of the highlights: working even harder to keep our children on a path of • Southside High School has been renamed learning, discovery and achievement. We appreciate Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School and opened your ongoing support. in August as the district’s newest transformed secondary school. In all, we’ve transformed four high Sincerely, schools – with only five more to go – into smaller, more personalized learning environments that are better equipped to produce lifelong scholars. • In the middle grades, our two new single-gender Beverly L. Hall, Ed.D. academies – which opened with huge success last Superintendent summer – now have two grade levels, 6 and 7. As we look to our 15 other middle schools, we’re identifying nationally recognized best practices so that we can deliver engaging, quality educational services to pre-teens. We know they need stronger guidance on their journey to high school. 2 ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2008-09 GUIDEBOOK 3 WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our children represent our hopes and dreams for the future, and they deserve the best education we can give them. We believe every student has the potential to succeed, and we are dedicated to making a difference in children’s lives by encouraging them to open their minds to learning, discovery and achievement. Our schools provide a vibrant, high-performing learning environment with excellent teachers, the latest technologies and practices, and innovative learning environments that know no geographic, racial or economic boundaries. Our standards and expectations are high. We are committed to seeing all students graduate from Atlanta Public Schools ready for success in college and life, and prepared to be contributing and productive citizens for our city, state, nation and the world. We know strong schools build a strong Atlanta. APS FAST FACTS 2008-2009 NUMBER OF SCHOOLS/CENTERS 2008-09 STUDENTS Traditional schools 95 Elementary schools 57 Number of 2008 graduates 1,990 Middle schools 17 Single-gender academies 2 Scholarships offered High schools 19 to class of 2008 $64 million Nontraditional programs 2 Charter schools 7 Student enrollment 49,142 Adult learning center 1 (projected for 2008-2009) Total APS learning sites 105 TEACHER/STUDENT RATIO NUMBER OF TITLE I SCHOOLs 89 Kindergarten 1:15 (including charter schools) Grades 1-3 1:17 Grades 4-5 1:23 NUMBER OF YEAR-ROUND SCHOOLS 3 Grades 6-8 1:20 Grades 9-12 1:23 TRANSPORTATION Number of buses 365 ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS Miles traveled daily 22,272 African American 85.98% Students transported daily 37,637 Caucasian 8.37% Hispanic 4.10% BUDGET Multi-racial .93% FY09 operating budget $661.6 million Asian .59% American Indian/Alaskan .03% STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICED MEALS 76.14% COMPUTER/STUDENT RATIO 1:2 2008-09 GUIDEBOOK 5 ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE Atlanta Public Schools is one of the top-performing urban school systems in America. When students pass through our doors and embark upon a journey toward academic excellence,