APS Begins 2025-2026 School Year with Increased Pay, New Programs, and Rising Test Scores

Photo Slideshow of images from the first week of the APS 2025-2026 school year. APS ©

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students returned to classrooms on August 4 for Day One of the 2025-2026 school year.  The opening week included campus visits from APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson and Atlanta Board of Education members who welcomed students and encouraged their excitement for a new year.

Preparation for the year started with programs like the PowerUp APS! summer program and the Back-to-School Festival, as well as extensive facility work to ensure students entered classrooms ready to learn in a safe, well-supported environment.

Several new initiatives, programs, and resources have been implemented to enrich the student educational experience. Take a look at what’s in store for students and families this year:

1)    Academic indicators are trending upward. According to the Georgia Department of Education, APS students in grades three through eight posted year-over-year gains in all tested subjects on the 2024-2025 Georgia Milestones assessment, including a 3.4-point rise in Math and a 5.9-point increase in Science. Math scores returned to pre-pandemic levels, and improvements outpaced the state in most areas. Gains were recorded across all student subgroups, including English learners and students with disabilities.

2)   Teacher salary raises with room for growth. APS hired 180 new teachers and raised salaries for educators by 11 percent, bringing starting pay to around $61,000. The goal is to increase the average teacher salary to $100,000 by 2030. Bus drivers, custodians, and paraprofessionals also received a 10 percent raise.

3)    Continuing measures to keep schools focused and secure are at the forefront. APS is enforcing its Personal Electronic Device policy, requiring students to keep devices off and out of sight during the school day, including lunch. Exceptions will be made for emergencies or with administrative approval.

4)    New student support services are rolling out. Talk It Out is now available and is a free and confidential text line for grades six through twelve that connects students to licensed mental health counselors 24 hours a day.

5)    The Student and Family Support Hub will continue its partnership with Goodr. The Atlanta-based company, focusing on sustainable food waste management and hunger relief, opened a Goodr Grocery Store in The Hub last November and will continue operations this year. The Hub will further its support by hosting a monthly food distribution for students and their families on the last Saturday of each month.

Lunchtime on Day One at Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy for the 2025-2026 school year. APS ©

6)    Changes are coming to cafeterias. In September, Nutrition Services will introduce à la carte options that meet USDA Smart Snacks guidelines and a “Made to Order” deli bar at high schools. Menus and nutrition information are available through the MealViewer app.

7)    The APS Police Department is expanding its role beyond enforcement. Initiatives this year include Gang Resistance Education and Training, a new Police Intervention Specialist to guide restorative practices, RAPTOR visitor management screening, and the Centegix personal alert system for staff. Officers will also participate in Books & Badges, an initiative where they read social-emotional learning books in classrooms to build relationships with students.

The new year looks promising with the combination of higher pay, expanded student support, enhanced safety measures, and rising academic performance. Welcome back, APS!