Atlanta Public Schools (APS) continued to show overall improvement on the College and Career Readiness Index (CCRPI), according to the 2025 CCRPI data, released by the Georgia Department of Education.
The CCRPI includes five components: Content Mastery, Progress, Closing Gaps, Readiness, and – for high schools – Graduation Rate. APS scored 100 on the Closing Gaps component in elementary schools and improved Readiness and Content Mastery scores at all grade bands. Additionally, students with disabilities and who are economically disadvantaged made gains in 11 of 12 areas.
Here is how D.M. Therrell High School achieved its gains:
Q: What specific strategies or initiatives did your school implement that you believe contributed most to the CCRPI improvement?
A: We improved our CCRPI by strengthening Tier 1 instruction and providing targeted support for Students with Disabilities. We modified lesson plans to include SDI strategies, implemented a schoolwide Cornell Notes protocol, developed common assessments, exit tickets, held bi-weekly leadership team meetings, analyzed student work, utilized Digi-coach to provide real time feedback to teachers, and used success criteria to increase clarity.
We were intentional about building vocabulary with the implementation of Frayer Models. Teachers received tiered coaching support, and we expanded monitoring through learning walks and coaching cycles. Our Instructional and Data PLCs ensured aligned resources, identified misconceptions, and produced strong reteach plans. We also support targeted students through SWD advisories and intentional afterschool tutorials. Together, these efforts led to meaningful growth.
By aligning our instructional systems, strengthening Tier 1 practices, and providing intentional support for both teachers and students, especially our SWD population, we created the conditions for consistent academic growth. These combined strategies played a significant role in improving our overall CCRPI performance.
Q: Can you share examples of how your teachers are driving student growth and achievement, and any practices that have been particularly effective?
A: Our teachers are driving student growth through several high-impact practices. They ensure students take detailed Cornell Notes to strengthen comprehension and retention. Teachers also increase opportunities for practice, use flexible grouping based on individual needs, and consistently review the learning target and success criteria throughout the lesson to reinforce clarity. In addition, teachers work collaboratively in Instructional PLCs to align resources to standards, and in Data PLCs to identify misconceptions and create effective reteach plans. These practices together have significantly improved student achievement.
Q: What is something impactful/innovative happening in the area of teaching and learning at your school that sets your school apart?
A: One of the most impactful initiatives at our school is our focus on expanding advanced academic opportunities for students. We are currently growing our Dual Enrollment program, giving students increased access to college-level coursework and early exposure to postsecondary expectations. At the same time, as we prepare for the transition from IB, we are also expanding our AP course offerings to ensure rigorous pathways are available for all learners. Additionally, we are preparing to implement AVID schoolwide, which will strengthen students’ academic skills, organization, and college readiness. Together, these initiatives position our school to offer a truly comprehensive, high rigor learning experience that sets us apart.
Q: What are your hopes or expectations for student achievement moving forward, and how do you plan to build on this recent success?
A: Our hopes are to see continued increases in academic achievement. We will build on our success by implementing Aggressive Monitoring to deepen student accountability and mastery during instruction. We will also continue to build teacher capacity through targeted professional development, ensuring our staff has the tools and support needed for high-quality teaching. Additionally, the schoolwide implementation of AVID will enhance student organization, engagement, and college readiness. Together, these efforts will help us elevate student performance and sustain long-term growth.