During this year’s Hank Aaron Week, we officially unveiled the first of four fields of our Hank Aaron Diamonds program. The new turf infields and facility upgrades were provided by the Henry Louis Aaron Fund and The Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Listen as our speakers present about the significance of the partnership between Atlanta Public Schools, the Atlanta Braves, and the Henry Lewis Aaron Fund.
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) proudly unveiled the first four, brand-new turf infields in the first week of February at Benjamin E. Mays High School, Maynard Jackson High School, Booker T. Washington High School, and North Atlanta High School, thanks to the generosity of the Atlanta Braves Foundation and the Henry Louis Aaron Fund.
The Braves celebrate Hank Aaron Week during the week of the iconic baseball player’s birthday, which is February 5. Hank Aaron has the second-most home runs in Major League Baseball (MLB) history (755) and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Billye Aaron, Henry “Hank” Aaron’s wife, and her family visited Mays High School on Monday for the first ribbon-cutting ceremony, and she threw a ceremonial first pitch on the Raiders’ new Hank Aaron Diamond infield.
“This is the culmination of something that started more than five years ago, as we — the Atlanta Braves — sought out a way to honor and preserve the legacy of the legendary Hank Aaron,” said Danielle Bedasse, the Vice President of Community Affairs for the Atlanta Braves and Executive Director of The Atlanta Braves Foundation. “Mr. and Mrs. Aaron believed that talent is everywhere in this city, and opportunity should be too.”
The Braves, Major League Baseball, and the MLB Players Association established the Henry Louis Aaron Fund in 2021 after Hank’s passing, with an effort to really focus on equity and access for student athletes making pathways in baseball on the field and off helping them chase their dreams.
Through its partnership with APS and other sponsors, the Atlanta Braves Foundation plans to upgrade every baseball and softball field across the school district over the next 20 months.
“Thanks to the support of The Atlanta Braves Foundation, our players will now practice and compete on a surface that is safer,” APS Executive Athletic Director Greg Goodwin said. “This turf infield symbolizes more than improved playing conditions. It represents opportunity, pride, a shared belief that our students deserve the very best, and we believe that they do.”
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.
Principal Tiauna Crooms details how Booker T. Washington 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: Our school’s CCRPI improvement is primarily tied to our schoolwide focus on literacy, teacher clarity, and high-leverage instructional practices. Last year, we implemented a structured Read-In, Write-Out (RIWO) model, ensuring every class began with targeted reading and ended with targeted writing aligned to daily standards. This provided students with an additional hour of structured literacy practice each day and contributed to a reduction in the number of students reading below grade level, as shown in Spring 2025 MAP data.
We also strengthened schoolwide use of formative assessments, weekly data meetings, and instructional adjustments to ensure alignment between standards, tasks, and student outcomes. Teachers provided targeted interventions, small-group instruction, and station-based differentiation to meet diverse learner needs.
For Students with Disabilities (SWD), we expanded supports such as scaffolded assignments, extended time, alternative teaching models, structured SDI strategies, assistive technology (Read & Write), and small-group testing when possible. These practices helped ensure equity and consistency in access to grade-level learning.
Together, these initiatives created a more coherent instructional framework, improved literacy across disciplines, and supported measurable student growth.
Q: Can you share examples of how your teachers are driving student growth and achievement, and any practices that have been particularly effective?
A: Teachers are driving student growth by using clear learning intentions, success criteria, and consistent feedback routines across all content areas. Formative assessments guide instruction, small-group support, and timely reteaching.
Key examples include:
Across all subjects, teachers adjust instruction based on data and provide targeted interventions for both struggling learners and Students with Disabilities, ensuring equitable access to grade-level learning.
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 innovations at our school is the intentional use of data-driven decision-making to build students’ foundational skillsets across content areas, especially in Algebra. This has strengthened our ability to provide targeted support, reinforce core skills, and ensure students are mastering essential concepts before moving on.
In addition, our Writing to Win initiative integrates disciplinary writing across all subjects, helping students strengthen the analytical and communication skills needed for deeper learning. Coupled with schoolwide teacher clarity, consistent literacy routines, and SWD supports—including scaffolded pathways, assistive technology, and SDI strategies—this approach ensures instructional coherence and equitable access for all learners.
Together, these practices create a learning environment where instruction is intentional, responsive, and built around data-informed support for both foundational skills and higher-level thinking.
Q: What are your hopes or expectations for student achievement moving forward, and how do you plan to build on this recent success?
A: Moving forward, our goal is to sustain and deepen the academic growth we saw last year by continuing to strengthen literacy, instructional clarity, and equitable access for all students. We aim to further increase the percentage of students reading and writing on grade level, expand proficiency in Algebra and Biology, and close gaps among historically underserved groups, especially Students with Disabilities (SWD).
To build on our success, we plan to:
Our expectation is that these aligned efforts will not only sustain our CCRPI gains but accelerate achievement across all subjects. Ultimately, we hope to cultivate confident, capable readers, writers, thinkers, and problem-solvers fully prepared for high school and beyond.
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) hosted its annual Marching Band Showcase on October 1 at Lakewood Stadium. High school marching bands took the field to perform their halftime show before a packed crowd of families, students, and community members.
The event featured music by Panther Records and a moment of recognition for Virginia Marie Porter-Martin, who was celebrated for 27 years of dedicated service to APS students through the Office of Fine and Performing Arts. The evening concluded with a special performance by Tuskegee University’s Marching Crimson Pipers.
Take a trip down memory lane with us through the photo and video recap below of the 2025 Marching Band Showcase. Photos: Allison M. Slocum, APS © | Videos: A1 Media Bands
The B.E.S.T. Academy + Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy | Jason Flakes, director [Watch their performance]
Carver Early College and Carver STEAM Mighty Marching Panthers | Dr. Warren Williams, director [Watch their performance]
Frederick Douglass High School | Cortrell Davis, director [Watch their performance]
Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School | Jelan Bulger, director [Watch their performance]
KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School | Authur Washington, principal [Watch their performance]
Benjamin E. Mays High School | Brian M. Lyles, director [Watch their performance]
Midtown High School | Carlton Williams, director [Watch their performance]
North Atlanta High School | Jarius Thomas, director [Watch their performance]
South Atlanta High School | Jamont Lane, director [Watch their performance]
Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School | Tory F. Smart, director [Watch their performance]
Booker T. Washington High School | Wallace Barner, director [Watch their performance]
Tuskegee University | Rickey Oglesby, interim director of bands [Watch their performance]
Slideshow: 2025 APS Marching Band Showcase
An outstanding group of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) educators and schools were recently honored during the inaugural Alonzo A. Crim Award Celebration for their unwavering commitment to advancing equity across the district. Known affectionately as Equity Champions, this year’s honorees were selected by peers, supervisors, and district leaders for their outstanding commitment to actively modeling the APS Equity Commitments.
Held on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the APS Student and Family Support Hub, the celebration is named after Dr. Alonzo A. Crim, who became the district’s first Black superintendent in 1973, and was widely known for raising the standards for educational excellence throughout APS.
“As superintendent, Dr. Crim coined the term, ‘community of believers,’ based on the belief that every child in the Atlanta community could learn,” said Dr. Carina Windom, director of the Office of Equity + Social Justice (OESJ). “More than 50 years later, our district is still guided by Dr. Crim’s philosophy. It is evident in our tagline, One District. One Goal. Every Child.”
Hosted and sponsored by the Office of Equity + Social Justice, this year’s program honored seven individuals and three schools as the newest equity ambassadors. Recipients will serve one-year terms, gain access to professional learning grants, and partner with the OESJ as they carry the mantle of equity forward into their school communities, departments, and teams.
This year’s individual honorees are:
School Honorees are as follows:
The event featured an inspiring keynote address by Mawuli Mel Davis, an Atlanta civil rights attorney and founding partner with Davis Bozeman Johnson Law. Dr. Andrew Lovett, Jr., Human Resources strategic staffing director and former principal of Benteen Elementary School, shared his experience and reflections as a 2024 Equity Champion award recipient.
APS Student Advisory Council (SAC) members Kaili Stith, a senior at Midtown High School, and Emory Arnold, 12th-grader at Booker T. Washington High School, served as the evening’s emcees.
Dr. Crim’s grandchildren, Brandon McClendon and Dionn Wright, were also in attendance.
The South Atlanta High School Hornet Records provided musical entertainment, and students with Therrell High School’s Advanced Repertory Dance Company performed a stirring lyrical dance routine.
Atlanta Board of Education member Cynthia Briscoe Brown, who was instrumental in helping establish the district’s equity policy, shared how proud she was of this year’s recipients.
“I share my gratitude and appreciation for all that you do to champion our students, ensure their educational needs are met, and work tirelessly to make sure they feel seen, heard, and valued,” Briscoe Brown told the audience. “I look forward to seeing you expand the work you’re doing in our schools and communities.”
During his keynote address, Davis encouraged each recipient to be competent, courageous, and contagious. He reiterated Dr. Crim’s commitment to building community and shared that his mother first taught at Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago, the same school where Dr. Crim served as principal.
“Be students of this work and be committed to this work,” he said. “That’s how we win and how we build a community of believers.”
We salute the 2025 Alonzo A. Crim Award recipients and all they do to advance equity in Atlanta Public Schools!
Learn more about this year’s recipients here.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden summer internship provided Baron Davis (Booker T. Washington class of 2025) with a unique opportunity to explore new interests, gain valuable work experience, and get paid before starting his freshman year at Morehouse College in the fall.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s summer internship program is a seven-week, paid program specifically for students at Title I high schools. Davis was one of 10 interns who worked with staff mentors at the garden, doing everything from basic tasks to hand-pollinating cacao trees to try to create a healthier hybrid.
“The really exciting thing about this internship is that it’s only for Title I students,” Atlanta Botanical Garden school programs coordinator Lillie Kline said. “It’s also a paid internship, and a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience working at a botanical garden alongside staff.”
Davis applied for the internship after meeting with the Atlanta Botanical Garden staff, who came to a STEM event at Booker T. Washington High School. While at the garden, Davis worked with the Plant Records team, the team that keeps inventory and keeps track of every single plant in the botanical garden.
“This internship was really intuitive,” he said. “I enjoyed meeting the people behind the scenes. You see all the flowers and the pretty statues covered in flowers, but you never really see the people who are involved in doing those things.”
During the internship, Atlanta Botanical Garden staff hosted workshops for the interns, provided resume building and college counseling sessions, invited guest speakers, and covered lunch and transportation for the interns.
In addition to his daily tasks and responsibilities, he also discovered a new interest in learning about bees and other pollinators that have an impact on the environment.
“One reason I joined the internship was to learn about flowers and plants and things to help my grandmother start her backyard,” he said. “She has this whole little thing going on, and she wants flowers back there. I’m thinking I can do this internship and learn about plants so I can help my grandmother out.”
Over the course of his internship, Davis was also charged with conducting research for his final project — build a discovery station with a presentation to engage park guests.
At his discovery station in the Fuqua Conservatory under the Chinese Summersweet tree surrounded by busy bees, visitors learned about the different types of bees, how their symbiotic relationships with plants promote a healthy environment, and how people can do their part in helping protect their environment.
“I wanted to bring that information forward because we’re losing a lot of bees and we’re losing a lot of land,” he said. “Bees in your garden means your area is healthy with nature in mind. You have a bunch of flowers helping a bunch of animals you can’t even see. Now the bees have somewhere to be, and you gave them back a little bit of their environment.”
Davis said he really enjoyed his experience with the Atlanta Botanical Garden summer internship. Not only did he gain work experience in a new field, but it also raised his awareness on environmental justice issues.
“The experience was really great,” Davis said. “This internship teaches responsibility, and it brings awareness to the importance of plants and that we can do this ourselves.”
During the school year, the Atlanta Botanical Garden offers free programming to any Title I school within 15 miles of the garden. They offer programs where schools can bring students to the garden to participate in a 30-minute lesson and explore the grounds. They also offer in-school field trips.
“We do outreach programs all year long, K-12, and they are completely free to Title I schools,” Kline said. “We’d love for APS schools to sign up.”
Bearing a large presentation check, glass trophy, and personalized certificates, members of the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Office of Equity + Social Justice traveled across the district in May to surprise and thank the newest cohort of Alonzo A. Crim Award recipients — staff and schools that demonstrate significant impact in our school communities.
The Office of Equity + Social Justice received over 60 nominations this past spring, with each finalist being nominated by a peer or colleague for their commitment and dedication to advancing educational equity in Atlanta Public Schools. Finalists were selected based on qualities that include:
This year’s Alonzo A. Crim Award recipients include three teachers, three social workers, one school psychologist, and three schools. All were recognized for their unyielding commitment and efforts to help all APS students thrive and succeed.
Sean Freeman, a performing arts and dance teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, was lauded for including students with disabilities in the learning experience and ensuring that those with special needs feel valued and supported. His nominator, Sachi Richardson, an art teacher at Washington High School, described Freeman as “a firm believer in cultural representation and rigorous learning,” who has worked hard to ensure that his students are exposed to dance forms from all over the world, helping them understand and appreciate different cultures.”
Richardson also praised her colleague for showcasing various dance styles and collaborating with the World History department to ensure that students learned the historical significance of their performances. She proudly noted that Freeman also helped secure SPLOST funds for major theater upgrades for Washington and four additional schools in the district.
“When we talk about equity in education, we’re talking about making sure that every student — regardless of their background — gets the opportunities, resources, and support they need to succeed,” Richardson said. “And if there’s one person who embodies this mission, it’s Sean Freeman. His tireless dedication to ensuring that all students have access to high-quality arts education, mentorship, and resources makes him the perfect nominee.”
Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon, a social worker at West Manor Elementary School, national president of the School Social Work Association of America, and 2019 National School Social Worker of the Year by the School Social Workers Association of America, was awarded for her leadership, mentorship, and extraordinary commitment to advancing equity across Atlanta Public Schools and the state of Georgia. One nominator praised Dr. Rivers-Cannon for bringing marginalized voices into spaces where decisions are made and mentoring others to do the same.
“She advocates for trauma-informed care, mental health support, and multi-tiered interventions to ensure that every student has a pathway to success. Through her podcast and public speaking, she creates platforms for equity conversations that reach beyond district lines,” assistant principal Angela Thomas wrote in her nomination letter. “Dr. Rivers-Cannon doesn’t just work in equity—she lives it. She brings marginalized voices into spaces where decisions are made, and she mentors others to do the same.”
“Her leadership has made a lasting impact in APS and beyond, influencing policy, practice, and hearts. Her work fully aligns with the APS Equity Commitments, particularly those focused on eliminating practices that produce disparate outcomes and building the capacity of equity-minded leaders,” Thomas concluded.
Alonzo A. Crim Award recipients serve one-year terms as ambassadors for advancing equity across the district, participate in equity-focused professional learning opportunities to expand capacity, and collaborate with the APS Office of Equity + Social Justice on key initiatives.
In addition to district recognition, Alonzo A. Crim Award recipients are awarded access to microgrants (up to $5,000) to support initiatives and activities that improve APS in the service of students.
Congratulations to the 2025 APS Alonzo A. Crim Award recipients! We appreciate all that you do on behalf of our APS scholars!
Here is the complete list of 2025 APS Alonzo A. Crim Award Recipients:
Dr. Terrilyn Rivers-Cannon, Social Worker, West Manor Elementary School
Sugel Cruz, Social Worker, Sutton Middle School
Samuel Davis, Music Teacher, Therrell High School
Kassandra Dixon, School Psychologist, KIPP West Atlanta
Sean Freeman, Performing Arts Teacher, Booker T. Washington High School
Tonya Holmes, Social Worker, Fickett Elementary School
Angela Marshall, Math Teacher, Midtown High School
School Awards:
B.E.S.T. Academy
Bunche Middle School
Dunbar Elementary School
Booker T. Washington High School celebrated the hiring of its new head football coach and boys basketball coach, who both already have a history of success with the Bulldogs.
Lawrence Smith and William Faulkner were welcomed back to Washington with cheers from an excited audience of students, administrators, alumni, and community members who are excited about the future of Bulldogs athletics.
Smith, a Booker T. Washington alumnus (Class of 1997), helped lead the Bulldogs to its first winning season in almost 20 years when he was a senior. He earned a full football scholarship to Tennessee State University, where he was a four-year starter and two-time All-Conference player. He started on back-to-back Conference Championship teams, including an 11-0 team which was ranked #1 in the nation. Smith went on to play multiple years in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. He also played in NFL Europe and the Arena Football League.
After retiring from professional football, Smith volunteered for two years at Washington before becoming the first head coach at Saint Francis High School in Alpharetta for two years. He coached at Cedar Grove High School as the offensive coordinator for eight years and won three state championships, going back-to-back in 2018 and 2019. After leaving Cedar Grove, Smith was the offensive coordinator at Crisp County for one year. When he became the head coach, the team won a region championship and made the playoffs all three years. However, he is most proud of improving the team G.P.A. from 2.7 to 3.2 in his time as the head coach.
“This means a whole lot. I’m honored and excited,” Smith said. “I’m not big on fanfare and all that stuff. I’m about substance for these kids. I want them to come with the mindset to be great, do better, and do the best you can to be great at everything that you do.”
Faulkner, who coached the Bulldogs boys basketball program from 2009-2014, led Washington on multiple state playoff runs, including a trip to the Final Four in 2012.
“I still owe Booker T. Washington High School,” he said. “We have to bring that state championship back here.”
After his first stint with Washington, Faulkner coached the Benjamin E. Mays High School boys basketball team (2014-2019) and led them to multiple state playoff appearances as well. Then, from 2019-2024, he took a 4-20 Decatur High School team and won two consecutive region championships (2023 and 2024).
“I am extremely excited to be returning to Washington High School and I look forward to helping restore this program to the level of greatness that the school, alumni, and community are used to,” Faulkner said.
Both coaches shared their excitement and championship aspirations at their introductory press conference in the school auditorium but also emphasized the discipline and buy-in needed to reach such high goals.
The last time Faulkner and Smith were at Booker T. Washington High School, they helped turn the Bulldogs into a winning program. Today, the Washington community is excited to see them do it again and “Bring it back to the excellence that it always has been,” Faulkner said.
TLC’s 2025 Say Yes to the Prom event took place on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Atlanta campus. Photo credit: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
With prom season on the horizon, students from four Atlanta Public Schools high schools stepped into a world of elegance and opportunity at the 13th annual Say Yes to the Prom event, sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery.
Held in Atlanta as part of a three-city initiative, the program provided hundreds of deserving juniors and seniors with free prom attire while also offering mentorship and career resources in the entertainment industry.
Students from Frederick Douglass High School, Maynard Jackson High School, Therrell High School, and Booker T. Washington High School received a full shopping experience, including a personal styling consultation from Monte Durham, the host of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.”
A Douglass High School student receives a dress consultation from “Say Yes to the Dress” host Monte Durham. Photo credit: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
Partners Macy’s and Men’s Wearhouse supplied brand-new dresses and tuxedos, while over 1,000 donated garments, shoes, and accessories ensured each student could find their perfect look. CNN’s professional artists and stylists were on hand to provide hair and makeup consultations.
“This event encompasses the total look. Whether it’s accessories, dresses, tuxedos, or shoes, we’ve got it for you,” Durham said. “Macy’s came on board, and they donated and got the dresses we have. Some dresses have a hang tag that says, ‘Say Yes to the Dress.’ Those were exclusively designed for this program, and the others are mixed in.”
Douglass High School senior Quan Crane is being measured for his prom tuxedo courtesy of Men’s Wearhouse. Photo credit: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
For male students, Men’s Wearhouse provided tuxedo fittings and rentals. Douglass High School senior Quan Crane was eager to share his experience.
“I was excited to see the suits. I don’t know the exact fabric, but I know it will be royal blue, which is really nice. And I want a black tie,” Crane said. “This will be my first time going to prom. I’m looking forward to taking photos in my suit and with my girlfriend.”
Beyond fashion, Say Yes to the Prom serves a broader mission of mentorship and professional development. Students were introduced to scholarship, internship, and career resources in media and entertainment, with opportunities to explore behind-the-scenes aspects of the industry.
“One of the cool things about Say Yes to the Prom is that while we love being able to provide prom attire, it’s also about the experience of coming to Warner Bros. Discovery,” said Sydney Langdon, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Warner Bros. Discovery. “Many of these students haven’t been to our campus in Midtown Atlanta. They’re in a live soundstage, seeing what it’s like to have lights and cameras.”
The event, which takes place in Atlanta and New York each February before heading to Los Angeles in March, reaches more than 1,500 students annually— a number the organizers ambitiously plan to increase in the future.
“I’d like to see more involvement and dedication from our supporters and press so that we truly can grow,” Durham said. “Right now, we’re currently in three cities. I’d like to see that expand to five cities next year and eight cities the year after that.”
As prom approaches, event organizers will continue working with participating schools to capture students’ final looks on their special night. Meanwhile, any remaining dresses will be donated to organizations like Becca’s Closet, ensuring that Say Yes to the Prom’s generosity continues to benefit students nationwide.
Enjoy the photo recap of 2025 TLC’s Say Yes to the Prom event in Atlanta, GA. Photo credit: Allison M. Slocum and Brianna Mason, APS ©
This article was written in collaboration with Belle Williams, a dynamic 10th-grade student at Booker T. Washington High School.
“100 Years of Wellness” campaign flyers and handouts.
Inspired by Booker T. Washington High School’s centennial anniversary celebrations, during which the school honored a century of excellence, the school’s HOSA-Future Healthcare Professionals chapter crafted the “100 Years of Wellness” campaign as their entry for the annual Georgia State Leadership Conference competition.
HOSA provides healthcare students with opportunities to expand their knowledge, skills, and leadership development in the medical field. Its members participate in several health-related competitive events that challenge them to grow and innovate. From mental health promotion to health science events and emergency preparedness, students have the freedom to better their community through their ideas and services.
Members of Booker T. Washington High School’s HOSA-Future Healthcare Professionals chapter.
As members of one of Washington’s HOSA teams, Belle Williams, Harmoni Griffin, and Nancy Rivera recognized the need for accessible, efficient health education among their peers. They developed the “100 Years of Wellness” campaign to equip Atlanta’s youth, especially Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students, with the knowledge to navigate the healthcare system confidently. By addressing topics such as healthcare, patient rights, and the basics of health insurance, “100 Years of Wellness” has played a significant role in empowering students to take control of their well-being.
To reach students quickly, the team hosted digital interactive workshops on Instagram, such as the “Rx for Knowledge” post, where people received a fun, personalized prescription centered around healthcare literacy. This included tips on health insurance, knowing patient rights, and accessing local resources.
Members of Washington’s 2023-2024 HOSA Chapter members at the International Leadership Conference this past summer in Houston TX.
Currently, their outreach is ongoing through a collaboration with Morehouse School of Medicine to introduce the importance of blood pressure maintenance to health students. Through this initiative, they are paving the way for a future where health education is accessible to all and every student is empowered to shape a better, healthier community.
Washington’s HOSA chapter looks forward to influencing and affecting progress within the healthcare industry and supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders.
The APS community is invited to join Washington’s HOSA chapter in celebrating the school’s notable legacy, supporting the “100 Years of Wellness” campaign, and cheering them on to victory in the upcoming competition.
