State, community and business leaders visited APS schools and participated in Georgia Pre-K Week 2013, a weeklong celebration of Georgia’s Pre-K Program, during the month of October.
Commemorating Georgia Pre-K Week, State Superintendent Dr. John Barge read to a group of bright-eyed 4-year-olds at Deerwood Academy. The purpose of the week, from September 30 to October 4, was to direct the public’s attention to the important work of preparing Georgia’s youngest children for school success. 
Deerwood Academy Principal Noletha High, Associate Superintendent Steve Smith, Regional K-12 Executive Director Dr. Danielle Battle, and professionals from the school and the district’s Office of Early Learning participated in the special week and VIP school visit. Georgia Pre-K Week was hosted by the nonprofit Voices for Georgia’s Children and its partners.
Dr. Barge was among the nearly 150 officials who visited some of the approximately 3,800 Pre-K classrooms in Georgia.
APS has 34 school sites, including Deerwood Academy, with 41 classes that serve more than 850 students in the traditional Pre-K program. In all, APS serves approximately 1,050 early education students, including 3- and 4-year-olds who have special needs and attend an APS Pre-K classroom.
