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Thomas Scott

Atlanta Public Schools Connects with Atlanta Community Food Bank and Goodr During Government Shutdown

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

In response to the government shutdown affecting thousands of families and SNAP program beneficiaries in Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools (APS), the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Goodr, and the City of Atlanta are working together to bridge the food gap for Atlanta’s students and families.

“This is a human issue,” APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said. “I’m proud to be in a city that cares about the people and cares about children. We will continue to partner in whatever ways possible to make sure that our children get exactly what they need in order to be successful.”

At a Thursday press conference held by the City of Atlanta at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Dr. Johnson shared that approximately 17,750 APS students rely on SNAP benefits. November 1, 2025, marks the date when SNAP benefits will not be available for millions of Americans until the government shutdown is resolved.

“When a student comes to school hungry, learning becomes secondary to survival,” Atlanta Board of Education Chair Erika Mitchell said. “That is why partnership matters. It’s more than food. It’s about dignity, stability, and hope.”

Through APS’ partnership with Goodr, several APS schools have grocery stores stocked with food for students and families. The APS Student and Family Support Hub also has a Goodr store that’s open every Wednesday and Thursday (by appointment) and provides groceries and essential items for APS students and families. The Hub also offers monthly drive-through food distributions on the last Monday of every month.

“We will continue to provide groceries and essential items to families,” Dr. Johnson said. “There is no way we will allow our students to be without, and I’m proud to work with the school board and in a community that cares about people.” APS families in need of assistance can find additional information and resources at atlantapublicschools.us/apsfoodnow.

For more information about the APS Student and Family Support Hub and how to donate, visit our website. Donation and volunteer information for the Atlanta Community Food Bank is available at acfb.org. For more information about Goodr, visit goodr.co.

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Atlanta Public Schools Student Advisory Council Brings Student Voice to Board Candidate Forum

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students and community members were given an opportunity to make their voices heard at the Voices of the Vote student-led candidate forum held at Georgia State University.

The event, which was sponsored by RedefinEd Atlanta, hosted nine of the 13 candidates for seats 2,4,6, and 8 on the Atlanta Board of Education. APS Student Advisory Council (SAC) Chair Laila Shannon and Vice Chair Anisa Baker served as the forum’s emcees for the evening and guided the conversation with the candidates.

“We invited students from across the district to ask questions, learn, and to really engage,” said Dr. Kyra Caldwell-Templeton, the APS program director of Student Engagement and SAC co-advisor. “This opens the door and opportunities for students who are not on the council or may not be affiliated with SGA to engage with these individuals who will ultimately be making decisions for them next year.”

Shannon, a senior at Drew Charter School, said it was important for students to hear directly from the candidates so they can be informed on the opinions of the future decision makers. She was pleased to hear that each of the candidates spoke toward emphasizing equity across the district.

“The candidates’ opinions reflect the potential decisions that will be made and those decisions affect us,” she said.  “It’s really important that we have an idea and see face-to-face the people who are going to be making those decisions for us because education is really the gateway for life after high school and the way that is structured is really important.”

The candidates covered a variety of topics including school safety, student mental health, equity, and more before taking questions directly from students and other attendees in the audience. This opportunity allowed for students to share their experiences and express issues regarding their schools directly to the candidates.

“This event shows that students want to be involved, and if given the opportunity, they will show up,” Shannon said. “It further shows that access to these events and certain opportunities is so important.” While only voting eligible students will have a say in the upcoming elections, opportunities like the student-led candidate forum provide a space where students can be engaged with the process and share what’s important to them with the leaders making decisions about their future.

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Carver Football Undefeated, Celebrates Region Championship

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

The Carver Panthers raised their region championship trophy Friday night after defeating Lovett 40-12 and completing a perfect 10-0 regular season.

The celebration began late in the fourth quarter when players snuck up behind head coach Darren Myles on the sideline with the water cooler and poured it over his head.

“This season was unbelievable,” Myles said. “It’s so hard to win a region championship. Everything has to align and be right. What makes this team special is that they’re very disciplined. They have a tight-knit bond, no off-the-field issues, and they work their tails off.”

The Panthers finished the season in first place for 2A Region 5. Carver last won the region championship in 2017, and the school’s last undefeated season was in 2007.

This year’s team averaged 36.2 points per game in the regular season, and the defense only allowed 7.6 points per game with four shutouts.

“In terms of all-around culture, one of the best teams I’ve had in my 21 seasons,” Myles said. “There was no pointing fingers. There was no putting anybody down. They’re always encouraging, uplifting.”

Carver continues to build on an already special football season. Earlier this year, Myles earned his 150th career win as a head coach. At his celebration, he shared his team’s goals of winning the region, graduating his seniors, and ultimately winning a state championship. The Panthers have won the region, and the seniors are on track for graduation. There’s just one goal left.

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Fickett Elementary School Raises Awareness with Annual Breast Cancer Walk

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

Fickett Elementary School students, staff, and community members came together on Thursday, Oct.9 to show their support for survivors and fighters at the school’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.

Students at every grade level rallied in the gym and proudly raised their decorated signs with messages of encouragement as they prepared for the awareness walk. Led by the Fickett Elementary School cheerleaders, the entire school walked, danced, and cheered down Rux Road and back to campus.

“We’ve had several members of our team be affected by this awful, horrible disease, as well as community members,” Fickett Elementary School principal Benita Grant said. “We’re really trying to get our kids to understand the ramifications of breast cancer, so in hopes one day, they’ll grow up to find a cure.”

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the school spent an entire week educating its students about the disease, showing videos where survivors and fighters shared their experience, and talking students through the impact the disease has had on people.

“The energy for the Breast Cancer Walk starts with educating our kids on what breast cancer is,” Grant said. “The students are rallying now, but one day they could be the scientist that finds the cure and that motivation would’ve started right here at Fickett.”

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Atlanta Public Schools hosts 3rd Hispanic College and Career Event

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) hosted its third Hispanic College and Career Event, where students and their families could learn more about the resources and opportunities available to help them plan their futures.

“We like to host the Hispanic College and Career Event during Hispanic Heritage Month because it is close to our community and it’s the time where students are getting ready to apply for college,” Isabel Marsh, the APS multilingual college and career coordinator, said. “A lot of the time, these families are forgotten, or their needs aren’t as pressing as the majority. We want to make sure that we support those needs so they know we are here for them and that we are providing those resources.”

Students like Jennifer Lorenzo, a senior at Benjamin E. Mays High School, came to the college and career fair at the APS Student and Family Support Hub hoping to get more information as she begins applying to college.

“People should really come to these events because they are very helpful,” she said. “I wanted to come to the Hispanic College and Career Event because I wanted more information about scholarships and colleges. I heard a lot of good information that is very useful and learned about good colleges that I’ve never heard of.”

The Hispanic College and Career Event had representatives from The University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Emory University, Dalton State University, and more ready to share information about their schools with students and families in English and in Spanish.

“This is incredibly important for our community because a lot of the parents are not familiar with how the school system works here or how the college system works,” Marsh said. “A lot of them are first-time college students, so their parents haven’t had the opportunity to go to college, and they don’t understand what the process entails.”

“We like to make sure that they know that we are a resource to them, as well to assist them with FASFA, what their options are, and what scholarships are available to them so they can continue to plan for their futures,” she added.

In addition to the colleges and universities, other community partners and organizations were available to provide resources and assistance to Hispanic students and families. The Mexican Consulate, Empowerment Society ATL, the Fulton County Library, and Achieve Atlanta were just a few of the community organizations on hand to share valuable information and support services.

Families explored a variety of career development resources, received help with applying for financial aid, took advantage of mentorship programs and more. A few lucky attendees also won the raffle prize and went home with a $100 Publix gift card.

Nydia Rivera, the bilingual liaison at Midtown High School, stopped at every table at the fair and gathered information to take back to her school for students and families who couldn’t attend the event. She said she loves coming to the event every year because she continues to learn more about the different colleges that help Hispanic students.

“I love to ask a lot of questions and hear what they have to say,” she said. “When I get back to work, I’ll have some copies for the students and talk to them about all the information I got at the Hispanic College and Career Event. Then I want to talk to them individually and explain all the possibilities.”

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Harper-Archer Elementary School Cafeteria Wins Award for Excellence

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

By: Nutrition Services

The Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division annually recognizes the outstanding work of local school nutrition professionals and their commitment to serving high-quality school meals, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining program integrity through the School Nutrition Cafeteria Award of Excellence.

Harper-Archer Elementary’s cafeteria has been selected for this prestigious award. Cafeteria manager Jennifer Coney and her team were honored for their exceptional service to students. On September 18, Jennifer Coney was officially presented with the award at a special luncheon hosted by the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Program.

Congratulations to Jennifer Coney and her team at Harper-Archer Elementary School!

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Carver Celebrates Football Coach Darren Myles’ 150th Win

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

Carver’s high school football team is the only Atlanta Public Schools (APS) football team left to remain undefeated through the first half of the season, and their head coach, who has been with the team for over two decades, reached a major milestone after the team’s 44-0 victory over Washington on Sept. 18, 2025.

Myles became just the third APS football coach to reach 150 career wins, and the school surprised him with a celebration party to show their appreciation for his service to the school and the Carver community.

“He’s been here for 21 years, and I think what he’s done for this community is amazing,” Carver athletic director Wendy Golston said. “Whether they played sports or not, the students are always willing to come back and talk to us about things that have happened in the community or that he’s done in the community.”

Myles said he knew the school would probably do a little something to celebrate his achievement, but the moment was made even more special when he walked in to see his family, former players, the cheerleaders, and his current team all together to celebrate him.

“To be celebrated in this manner is an honor. It’s a blessing beyond words. I felt a lot of love in the room,” Myles said. “It’s really special to reach 150 wins. It’s difficult to do, especially in this day and age, so I’m thankful and grateful. Honor to God for that.”

Myles’ journey with Carver football began in 2005 with only three players showing up to his first team meeting, which was held off campus because the building wasn’t ready yet. Over the years, he has built a program that, at one time, had up to 90 players when the Panthers competed in 5A. In 2021, the team made a run to the state championship game.

“When I tell the players where the program has grown from and why they owe it to the guys before them to keep representing, it puts things into perspective for them,” Myles said. “That memory always humbles me. Whenever I felt like, ‘well, you may need a little bit more,’ I remember I came from having three players.”

As of the publishing of this post, Myles has 151 career wins, and 145 of them have been at Carver. The team has four games left, starting with another region game on Friday, Oct. 3, against KIPP Atlanta Collegiate.

While Myles and the Carver Panthers are focused on winning a region championship and a state championship, the coach has bigger goals for his student-athletes off the field as well.

“Our goal off the field is to make sure all 21 seniors graduate, which they are on track to do,” he said. “And get everybody going in the right direction, going to college, military, trade school, or somewhere like that. Those are the big goals. Region, state, graduate the players and get them on to the next aspect of their lives.”

Congratulations, Coach Darren Myles, on reaching 150 career wins!

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Around APS: September 2025

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

This slideshow provides just a glimpse into some of the amazing things that happened at Atlanta Public Schools in September. Be on the lookout for highlights from your school. A new slideshow will be posted at the beginning of each month, so be sure to subscribe to APS Today and look for your scholar or your school!

Click through to see the highlights from your school. Be sure to subscribe to APS Today and look for your scholar or your school!

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Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson Hosts Bijan Reads Book Fair for Atlanta Public Schools

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson welcomed 7,500 Atlanta Public Schools (APS) elementary students to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first Bijan Reads Book Fair.

More than 35 APS elementary schools brought their first, second, and third-grade students to see Bijan, get excited about reading, and receive a gift bag of books and new literary resources.

“This is one of the coolest things that I’ve ever done,” Robinson said. “I believe it’s so important to bring the love of reading to the students, and not just want to read, but want to understand and be happy reading.”

Robinson partnered with The Alliance Theatre to assist him in engaging students and getting them excited about reading. He read the book Be You by Peter H. Reynolds and interacted with students between every page with inspirational messages to encourage them to be brave, curious, and persistent.

“He did a fantastic job of bringing the book to life,” APS director of library media services Jennifer Sauders said. “This goes right along with The Science of Reading and all of the things that we have been working on and training our teachers on so we can make reading exciting for our students and inspire them to find joy in reading.”

After Robinson finished reading with the students, he invited them down to the field where several of his Atlanta Falcons teammates and volunteers helped fill student gift bags with books, pencils, valuable literacy resources, and other goodies.

“When our community comes together to support our students with literacy, it has such a powerful impact,” Saunders said. “It lets our students know that not only does APS care about them and encourage them to develop good reading habits, but the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Falcons, and all the people in Atlanta are cheering for them to become the best readers they can be.”

Robinson, who has already been an impact player on the field for the Atlanta Falcons, created the book fair to have a larger impact off the field. It meant a lot to him to witness students excited about the opportunity to see him in person, and not just through social media or on TV.

“This is why I’m here,” he said. “God blessed me to do what I do on the field, but also to do this for the community, change these kids’ lives, be present for them, and make a massive impact not just on the field, but here too. That means way more than me scoring touchdowns on Sundays.”

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Atlanta Public Schools Graduation Rate Surpasses 90% for First Time

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

By: APS Office of Communications and Public Engagement

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) achieved a new all-time high graduation rate of 90.5 percent (90.48) for cohort 2025, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

This tops last year’s rate of 88.6 – and the district has surpassed the state’s graduation rate (87.2) for the third consecutive year. It is also the first time the district’s graduation rate is higher than 90 percent. See Figure 1

“We are proud of this achievement and what it means for the students of Atlanta’s public schools. We appreciate the commitment and resilience of our students, staff, school board and our community of believers,” APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said. “Now the work continues to ensure that every APS graduate not only completes high school, but finishes ready to enroll, enlist, be employed or pursue entrepreneurship.”

A total of 3,095 students graduated on time from APS in 2025, surpassing last year’s number of 2,873 graduates.  The percentage of students who graduated in 2025 is higher than any other year since 2012, when the state adopted the cohort graduation rate as required by federal law. This is an increase of 222 graduates from 2024. The 2025 cohort included 3,421 students, 171 larger than the 2024 cohort (3,250).  

Of the 16 schools with graduating classes, 11 achieved percentage-point gains in their graduation rate compared to 2024, with single-gender (girls) Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy maintaining its 100 percent graduation rate for the seventh consecutive year. 

The largest increase from a traditional high school was Frederick Douglass, which achieved a 7.33 percentage-point gain.  Other traditional schools achieving gains include Booker T. Washington (+5.70), Midtown (+2.56), and single-gender (boys) Business Engineering Science Technology (BEST) Academy (+3.32). Charter/Partner schools with gains included KIPP Collegiate (+2.36) and Carver STEAM (+12.41). See Figure 2

Eleven schools had graduation rates greater than 90 percent:  Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy (100%), Charles Drew Secondary (98.2%), BEST (97.4%), Atlanta Classical Academy (97.2%), KIPP Collegiate (96.6%), Midtown (95.3%), North Atlanta (93.7%), George Washington Carver Early College (93.7%), Jackson High School (91.1%), George Washington Carver STEAM Academy (91%), and Therrell (90.5%). See Figure 3

APS also achieved record highs for graduation rates of Black students (89.1%), students with disabilities (83.1%), English learners (82.6%), and Economically Disadvantaged students (88.9%).

The graduation rate for White students (97.3%) was higher than the cohort 2024 rate, and the gap between Black students and White students continues to narrow. Slightly over eight percentage points separated the graduation rates of Black and White students in 2025, compared to nearly 11 percentage points in 2024.

“The Class of 2025 continues to raise the bar for Atlanta Public Schools, achieving a record graduation rate of 90.48 percent, the first time in our district’s history we have surpassed 90 percent, and once again outpacing the state average. The steady gains our students are making are both historic and inspiring,” said Atlanta Board of Education Chair Erika Y. Mitchell.” Surpassing 90 percent and eclipsing the state rate for the third consecutive year reflects the hard work of our students, educators, families, and community, as well as the leadership of Dr. Bryan Johnson and his administration team. As a Board, we remain committed to ensuring every student has the resources, support, and opportunities needed to sustain and build upon this success.”

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