A new school year is just around the corner with some systems launching classes at the end of this week. AccessWDUN checked with public and private schools in the area to find out the basics of the upcoming school year, and here's a snapshot of what we found. Be sure to check your school system website for the latest information because details could change prior to the first day of school for your children.
Superintendent: Will Schofield
Open House dates:
Elementary-Aug. 5, 3-6 p.m.; Middle-Aug. 3, 4-7 p.m.; High-Aug. 4, 4-7 p.m.
Times will be staggered for all schools to minimize crowding:
- 1st Hour - Student Last Names A-F
- 2nd Hour - Student Last Names G-N
- 3rd Hour - Student Last Names O-Z
First Day of School: Friday, Aug. 6
Projected enrollment: 26,258
Masking will be optional for students and staff for the new school year, but safety protocols are subject to change depending on the community situation concerning COVID-19. To start, full capacity will be allowed at all outdoor and indoor extracurricular events. School officials say they will rely on public health department data and advice from local healthcare professionals as they make decisions on COVID protocols. Full details are available at Reconnect Hall August 2021.
The school district has installed artificial turf at five high school stadiums and made stadium improvements at all high schools. Students at Spout Springs Elementary, East Hall Middle, Martin Elementary and Mt. Vernon Elementary will have new learning commons to enjoy. Renovations have also been made at Lula Elementary, Chestatee High and East Hall Middle over the summer. Car rider upgrades were done at Spout Springs Elementary and Wauka Mountain Elementary.
GAINESVILLE CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM
Superintendent: Dr. Jeremy H. Williams
Open House dates: Friday, Aug. 6, Monday, Aug. 9 and Tuesday, Aug. 10. K through 8 meetings are scheduled by teachers, while meetings for grades 9 through 12 are scheduled alphabetically
First day of school: Wednesday, Aug. 11 for grades Pre-K through 2, 6, 9 and 10; Friday, Aug. 13 for all other grades.
Projected enrollment: 7,850, including Pre-K
Masks are encouraged for everyone in the Gainesville City School System and COVID mitigations will be maintained. That includes hand washing and physical distancing. Cafeteria usage will increase to 50% and students will enjoy increased playground and field trip options. There will be no restrictions on sporting events or most indoor events, but visitors may be required to wear masks to indoor meetings or events.
The Advanced Studies Center on the Gainesville High School campus will open for the new school year. Construction will begin on a new GHS Instructional Building, and progress continues on the Student Activities Center and the new Gainesville Middle School West campus. The school system has expanded mental health first aid training to community partners.
SURROUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY COUNTY
Superintendent: Dr. Ann Hopkins
Open House dates:
- Tuesday, Aug. 3 9-11 a.m. Banks County High School Freshmen
- Wednesday, Aug. 4 2-4 p.m. Banks County Primary School; 3-5 p.m. Banks County Elementary School; 4-6 p.m. Banks County Middle School
- Thursday, Aug. 5 3- 5 p.m. Banks County High School
First day of school: Friday, Aug. 6
Projected enrollment: 2,850
Superintendent Dr. Ann Hopkins said Banks County Schools will partner with YMCA in the new school year to provide after school care for all students. As far as COVID protocols, masks will not be required for students, but parents may send masks with their children should they desire to wear them.
"Our system will send students home who are sick just as we did prior to COVID," Hopkins said. "For the students who are diagnosed with COVID, we notify parents of students in the classroom with the student with a positive diagnosis."
Hopkins said school facilities and school buses will be cleaned on a regular basis to stem the spread of germs. Plus, the school system will keep tabs on COVID numbers with local and state officials.
BARROW COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
Superintendent: Dr. Chris McMichael
Open House dates: Thursday, July 29 and Friday, July 30. Each school has varying times, so follow this link for details.
First day of school: Tuesday, Aug. 3
Projected enrollment: 14,000
Masking will be optional for the Barrow County School System this year, although school officials recommend they be worn. BCSS officials are asking non-vaccinated students and staff to follow CDC guidelines regarding mask usage. Visitors will be allowed back in school buildings, following health protocols and by appointment. At this point, the school system plans to resume full capacity at school events, including sports.
Renovations have taken place over the summer at Westside Middle, Holsenbeck Elementary, Haymon-Morris Middle, Bear Creek Middle, Apalachee High and Auburn Elementary. Thanks to CARES Act funding, Barrow County has hired a number of new positions to support student learning and teacher professional development, including 16 academic interventionists three graduation specialists and three education technology integration specialists. In addition, BCSS was awarded the L4GA Literacy Grant in the amount of $1.1 million, which the system will begin implementing in the new year.
Superintendent: Dr. Damon Gibbs
Open House dates: Wednesday, Aug. 4 3-6 p.m. Kindergarten through 5th grade; 2-5 P.M. 6th through 12th grade
First day of school: Friday, Aug. 6
Projected enrollment: 3,800
Dawson County will encourage masks and social distancing per the DPH guidelines, according to Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs. "There will be no mask mandate for students or staff based on current data. There is no plan to limit attendance at sporting events," Gibbs said.
Gibbs said the school district is growing, and he is optimistic for "a great school year."
"We have both a multi-use athletic facility and a new AgriScience center for Dawson County High School in the final design stages that will break ground in the next few months," Gibbs said. "We are also opening a new wing at Dawson County Middle that will serve our students in band, chorus, engineering and other connections classes as we grow."
Superintendent: Dr. Jeff Bearden
Open House dates: Varies by school. Parents should check each school website for details.
First day of school: Thursday, Aug. 5
Projected enrollment: 52,000
Masking will be optional for students and staff in the new school year. However, Forsyth County Schools officials are still working on details on COVID protocols in the days leading up to the start of school based on the latest information from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Two new schools will open in Forsyth County - East Forsyth High School and Hendricks Middle School. In addition, the school system will open two support buildings - the Academies of Creative Education for middle and high school non-traditional programs and the FoCAL Center, which is a centralized performing arts building.
Superintendent: Dr. Calvin Watts
Open House dates: Varies by school. Follow this link to find details.
First day of school: All students will begin classes on Wednesday, Aug. 4, but in-person classes will be staggered. Students in grades K, 1, 6, and 9, and students with special needs who are served in a small group, will start in-person learning Aug. 4. Students in grades 2, 3, 7 and 10 will start in-person learning on Aug. 5 and students in grades 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12 will start in-person learning on Aug. 9.
Projected enrollment: 180,000
Masking will be required for all students and staff at the start of the new year.
Superintendent: Mathew Cooper
Open House dates:
Wilbanks Middle School Open House is August 5:
Senior Open House: August 3, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Junior Open House: August 4, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Elementary Schools are contacting parents to set up individual open house meetings to allow for one-on-one time with the teacher.
First day of school: Friday, Aug. 6
Projected enrollment: 6,900
Superintendent: Dr. April Howard
Open House dates: Varies by school. Check each school website for full details
First day of school: Friday, July 30
The Jackson County School System has opened a new Empower College and Career Center. In addition, Jackson County High School students will attend classes in a new high school building.
Superintendent: Dr. Rob Brown
Open House dates: Aug. 3 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. for elementary schools; Aug. 4 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. for the middle school; Aug. 4 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for all students, 1-3 p.m. Freshman Focus.
First day of school: Thursday, Aug. 5
Projected enrollment: 3,800+
Superintendent: Dr. Laurie Burkett
Open House dates:
All Open houses are scheduled for Aug. 4.
- Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers will schedule meetings for parents during the week prior to the start of school. Elementary schools will hold open house from 4-6 p.m.
- 6th grade students should be dropped off at the middle school between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Parents will have an orientation meeting at 5 p.m. Grades 7 and 8 open house hours are 5-7 p.m.
- 9th grade orientation at the high school is from 2:45-4:45 p.m. Grades 10-12 open house hours are 5-7 p.m.
First day of school: Friday, Aug. 6
Projected enrollment: 3,765
White County Schools will continue to follow CDC guidance for masking and health protocols for COVID. Masks will be optional for students, and the schools will provide buffs for students who want them. The Empty Stocking Company in Atlanta provided enough Lysol wipes for every teacher in the district to have a supply of sanitizing wipes for the school year.
White County will have two additional Pre-K classes in the district this year. The district is also planning for a new Performing Arts Center, a transportation facility and upgraded school athletic facilities.
SURROUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY CITY
Superintendent: Dr. Robert Downs
First day of school: Wednesday, Aug. 4
Superintendent: Dr. Joy Tolbert
First day of school: Friday, July 30
Superintendent: Donna McMullan
First day of school: Friday, July 30
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
CHATTAHOOCHEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
First day of school: Friday, Aug. 6
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 16
First day of school: Friday, Aug. 6
First day of school: Friday, Aug. 13
*The information in this article may be updated prior to the start of school.
