Back to the Basics 2030 Continues to Guide Atlanta Public Schools Into a New School Year

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) welcomed students back to classrooms on August 3 for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, with a renewed focus on academic excellence, student engagement, and continued progress through the district’s Back to the Basics 2030 Strategic Plan.

“Getting Back to the Basics 2030 continues to guide everything we do,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson.

For APS, Back to the Basics means delivering excellent instruction, strengthening school leadership, maintaining safe and supportive learning environments, and keeping students engaged through an intentional focus on literacy and numeracy.

APS 2026-2027 school year first two days. Photos by: Jessica Mynatt, APS ©.

The return to school followed months of preparation to ensure students and families began the new academic year with the resources and support needed for success. Summer initiatives, including the PowerUp APS! summer program and the Back to School Bash, provided opportunities for academic enrichment, family engagement, and connection before the first day. District teams also completed extensive facility improvements to prepare learning spaces for students.

During the first two days, APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson and members of the Atlanta Board of Education visited schools across the district to welcome students and connect with educators.

The first day began at the Northwest Compound Bus Depot where Dr. Johnson and district leaders greeted bus drivers and monitors preparing to begin their routes and deliver students safely to their respective campuses.

Other school visits included Harper-Archer Elementary School, The Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Institute, E. Rivers Elementary School, Hope Hill Elementary School, Maynard Jackson High School, Miles Elementary School, Kimberly Elementary School, South Atlanta High School, Finch Elementary School, and H.J. Russell West End Academy.

Each stop provided an opportunity for district leaders to hear directly from principals, students, and teachers and gain insight into their unique needs. Those conversations come as APS continues to build on a strong foundation of academic progress and another year focused on student achievement.

Enjoy the self-advancing photo slideshow showcasing images from the first two days of the APS 2026-2027 SY. Photos by: Jessica Mynatt, APS ©.

Recently, the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) and attendance results reflected the highest across-the-board academic gains since the assessment’s debut in 2015, along with the fifth consecutive year of declining chronic absenteeism.

APS ranked No. 1 in Metro Atlanta for year-over-year gains in the percentage of students achieving Proficient or Above on End-of-Grade Math, Science and Social Studies and recorded gains that more than doubled the state average. Student achievement also increased across key areas, including a 4.6 percentage point increase in mathematics proficiency, a 7.1 percentage point increase in social studies proficiency and an 8.4 percentage point increase in Algebra I proficiency.

“This year, we are building on that momentum by continuing to strengthen academic excellence while enhancing the student and family experience,” said Dr. Johnson.

During the 2026-2027 school year, APS will continue advancing its priorities by recruiting, developing and retaining exceptional teachers and school leaders; expanding access to rigorous coursework and early academic opportunities; strengthening student attendance, engagement and family partnerships; and continuing the work of the Back to the Basics 2030 strategy.

Each goal marks the next step in the district’s ongoing effort to build on academic progress and create meaningful opportunities for every student.