Written and submitted by: Deanna Hasty
The North Atlanta High School Academic Decathlon team clinched its sixth district championship and will represent Atlanta Public Schools at the state competition in February. Congratulations to our students and coaches on this outstanding achievement!
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) 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
North Atlanta High School’s baseball program has added another name to its growing list of student-athletes taken in the annual MLB Draft.
The Cincinnati Reds selected outfielder Eli Pitts (class of 2025) in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
“Eli is a very special person,” North Atlanta head baseball coach Ricky Plante said. “He was obviously a great ball player for us, but he was a better person and teammate than he was a player. There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to be a player who was going to be drafted.”
North Atlanta baseball finished the 2024-2025 season with an 18-14 record and finished third in 6A Region 6 (12-9). Pitts had a .476 batting average in his senior season with five home runs, five doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs, and was 15-16 in stolen bases.
Atlanta Public Schools baseball has produced seven MLB draft picks since the 2019 draft, and five of them went to North Atlanta High School.
Marc Church (North Atlanta class of 2019) was drafted by the Texas Rangers and made his professional debut on September 28, 2024. Brett Roberts (North Atlanta class of 2019) was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 16th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Antonio Anderson (Boston Red Sox) and Isaiah Drake (Atlanta Braves) graduated from North Atlanta in 2023 and were both taken in the MLB Draft that summer.
“We’ve had the opportunity to get great players come our direction,” Plante said. “It’s great for the younger guys because they can see that [getting drafted] can happen at North Atlanta.”
“They all come back to North Atlanta,” he added. “They’ve come back to hit with our guys and talk with our guys. Eli is going to be the same way. Eli was up at North Atlanta all the way until the day before he left to go to Arizona. All these kids have been great, and they’ve given back to North Atlanta, to our future and our current baseball players.”
In addition to the stars coming out of North Atlanta, Mays High School has also been represented in recent MLB drafts.
Mays alumnus Xzavion Curry was drafted by the Marlins after attending Georgia Tech and made his MLB debut in 2022. Termarr Johnson was the highest APS draft pick, going fourth overall in the 2022 MLB Draft to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The North Atlanta High School Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Carnegie Hall on March 30, 2025. North Atlanta High School ©
On one of the most revered stages in the world, 51 students from North Atlanta High School’s philharmonic orchestra performed a 30-minute set at Carnegie Hall.
Led by North Atlanta Fine Arts Department chair and director of orchestras, Stephen Lawrence-Carroll, the students played four carefully chosen works representing a diverse array of composers. The orchestra was selected from among hundreds of high school ensembles nationwide and was the product of a yearlong preparation process, with planning that began the prior school year.
“The class reviews a lot of pieces, and the students and I recommend a lot of things,” said Lawrence-Carroll, a 2003 North Atlanta graduate and 15-year teacher at the school. “The program was selected based on the students’ skill level and showed off different styles and different ability levels.”
The orchestra’s path to Carnegie began with an audition CD submitted after a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., last spring.
“At the end of that, we wanted another opportunity. Something that would be a little bit bigger to encourage the students to feel challenged,” Lawrence-Carroll said. “We were told that we were accepted, and that’s where the real fun started.”
Funded by a collaborative effort involving students, the school, its foundation, and the school district, the trip marked more than just a milestone performance. Students spent the school year learning the pieces, giving them a deeper connection to the music, and were surprised with a billboard with their faces on it in Times Square.
“For many students, music might not be their choice of major,” he said. “So, having something like this, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that many professional musicians don’t have the chance to say they’ve done it, is a big deal.”
North Atlanta High School’s Philharmonic Orchestra performing Lafoyer at Carnegie Hall on March 30, 2025. North Atlanta High School ©
For graduating senior and violinist Ella Sipe, performing Lafoyer, a piece with integrated choreography that synchronized stomps with percussion, with her fellow classmates was a highlight.
“Everybody is really supportive and incredibly kind,” Sipe said. “Going through that wonderful and once-in-a-lifetime experience with the people I’ve gotten to be such close friends with, and who I consider like an extended family, was a really fulfilling conclusion to my senior year.”
Viola player and graduating senior Samuel Riddick-Seals favored Elegy for its emotive tempo and shared sentiments similar to Sipe’s.
“Walking onto the stage, thinking about how much hard work we put into it, and thinking about how this is the last big concert I get to have with all the peers and friends that I’ve made in orchestra, and four years of really hard work to get to this point, elevated all the feelings up to the surface,” Riddick-Seals said.
Class of 2025 graduating seniors in the North Atlanta H.S. Philharmonic Orchestra with director, Stephen Lawrence-Carroll. Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
Following graduation, Sipe plans to attend the United States Naval Academy, and Riddick-Seals plans to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Both intend to keep playing and honing their craft like many other students in the orchestra program, which is one of Lawrence-Carroll’s ultimate goals.
“A lot of my students have a lot of interests outside of music,” Lawrence-Carroll said. “In most cases, a lot of them are planning to major in something different but still continue performing, which is my hope no matter what.”
The orchestra’s next performance is their annual spring concert on May 1, at 7 p.m., a program organized entirely by the seniors.
Donned in their sparkly dresses, dapper suits, and other fancy attire, over 200 Exceptional students, families, and student and staff volunteers from across Atlanta Public Schools (APS) gathered to celebrate a magical and unforgettable night at the 2025 APS Exceptional Student Prom, the district’s first-ever event of its kind.
Dubbed “A Magical Night at Disney,” the fun-filled event was held March 15 at North Atlanta High School and featured costumed Disney princesses, games, music, food and beverages, and spectacular decorations that filled the hall and school gymnasium. During prom, students took pictures at the 360-photo booth, played games, danced, and socialized with their friends and loved ones.
“It was awesome,” said Tina Crowell, whose daughter, Angel, is a ninth-grader at Frederick Douglass High School. “We loved the twirling photo booth, and the music was good. This was so nice. My daughter really enjoyed it.”
Organized by North Atlanta High School English teachers Jennifer Page and Rachelle Nurse, the prom was thoughtfully designed to ensure the district’s exceptional student population felt seen, welcomed, and valued. After years of planning North Atlanta’s prom festivities, Page and Nurse noticed that many exceptional students were not attending prom because the event didn’t accommodate their special needs.
Rather than isolate students, both teachers wanted to plan an event that many exceptional scholars could attend in addition to the annual spring prom. They also envisioned an event that would be accommodating, free of charge, and open for families to attend.
“These students are seen, and they deserve to be celebrated,” said Page, who is head cheer coach and Student Government Association (SGA) co-advisor at North Atlanta. “It’s also fun and beautiful that we have SGA leaders from across the district coming in to help and be with the kids. Their parents are having fun, and the kids are excited. That’s all that matters.”
Funded entirely by the APS Office of Equity + Social Justice, Page said she was also thankful for the support of Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson and a host of staff members who helped make the event possible. Over 75 SGA volunteers, exceptional education teachers, along with other district staff, came together to make the event a success.
In addition to Dr. Johnson, Atlanta Board of Education Vice Chair Jennifer McDonald and board member Tolton Pace were also on hand to show their support.
Nurse said she was honored to help make the Exceptional Prom a reality.
“An event like this helps students feel more comfortable being in this type of atmosphere,” said Nurse, who is also a cheer coach and SGA co-advisor. “This was an amazing event, and I’m so thankful and grateful that we were able to get the buy-in on a district level, and we hope to continue doing it for years to come.”
For parents like Rebecca Padgett, the Exceptional Prom was more than just a celebration — it was a powerful reminder that APS is deeply committed to fostering a sense of belonging for every student.
“It’s exciting, and I like that she gets to do what other kids do because they are left out of so many things,” Padgett said of her seventh-grade daughter, Sammie, who attends Sutton Middle School. “So, for students like my daughter to get a chance to be around so many people who are like them — and with the SGA students who were so excited to help them — it really warms my heart. It makes me feel good that there are people out there who care about kids like her.”
Maci Perry said she and her son, Asata, a sixth-grader, had a great time.
“We don’t get a chance to be around children and families who are going through the same things that we are, so it was great to attend something where we could have fun,” she said. “I really appreciate it. We enjoyed ourselves.”
Dr. Shateena Love, interim assistant superintendent of Exceptional Education, shared her appreciation for the event and emphasized its impact on students and their families.
“First, let me extend my heartfelt thanks to the planning team for creating such a magical moment for our students,” Dr. Love said. “While our exceptional students are always included and invited to their local school dances and proms, this event created a space where they could feel uniquely seen and celebrated — like it was truly their own. Efforts like this reflect APS’s deep commitment to honoring and valuing every student’s experience.”
Dr. Carina Windom, director of the Office of Equity + Social Justice, also reflected on the event’s significance and the district’s commitment to creating inclusive spaces for all students.
“This year’s Exceptional Prom was a powerful expression of what true inclusion looks like in action,” Dr. Windom said. “We believe every student deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and surrounded by joy. Supporting events like this affirms our deep commitment to honoring the unique brilliance of our exceptional students and their families. Equity means creating spaces where all students, in all their diversity, can thrive — and this prom was a beautiful example of that.”
The Atlanta Public Schools marching bands brought their biggest sound and impressive halftime performances to Lakewood Stadium for the APS Marching Band Showcase. If you missed it, check out the photos of the amazing performances.
Carver High School Mighty Marching Panthers: Directed by Warren Williams
Benjamin E. Mays High School Marching Raider Band: Directed by Brian Lyles
Booker T. Washington High School Marching 100: Directed by Wallace Barner
Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School Marching Jaguars: Directed by Jelan Bulger
The Academy Eagle Marching Band of Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy and the B.E.S.T. Academy: Directed by Jason Flakes
South Atlanta High School Marching Hornets: Directed by Jamont Lane
Frederick Douglass High School Marching Astros: Directed by Cortrell Davis
Daniel M. Therrell High School Marching Panthers: Directed by Tory Smart
North Atlanta High School Warrior Marching Band: Directed by Jarius Thomas
Once again, Atlanta Public Schools set the tone for the Georgia High School football season, earning the first win of the season at the 2024 Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic.
The Frederick Douglass High School Astros left a statement in their first appearance at the classic with an 18-3 victory over LaGrange at Kell High School on Wednesday afternoon.
“It was a team effort,” Douglass High School head football coach Stanley Pritchett said. “We worked hard all offseason to get to this moment. We knew we were going to be in the Corky Kell Classic, and we were excited about the opportunity to represent APS.”
An early field goal was the only score the Astros’ defense allowed in the season opener. Douglass defensive back Elijah Hunter Jr.’s two interceptions in the first half kept the momentum in the Astros’ favor and made him the easy pick for the game’s MVP award.
“The first pick was just something nice, but the second pick really brought a whole bunch of energy to the team,” Hunter said. “After that, we was unstoppable. They couldn’t get nothing else.”
The first touchdown of the year was scored by Douglass freshman Casey Barner, and recent University of Georgia commit Jontae Gilbert also caught a touchdown pass in the game for the Astros.
After the Douglass game, North Atlanta took on the host school, Kell High School, for the second game of the classic. After a hard-fought game, North Atlanta lost 29-15. North Atlanta is coming off a school-best 9-2 season, and it expects to continue building on the program’s recent success and representing APS against some of the best football programs in the state.
“Every year is a new year. Nobody on our schedule this year is going to care about what we did last year, but we’ve got some talented pieces coming back from last year’s team and have been working pretty hard,” North Atlanta head football coach Jamie Aull said. “People sometimes underestimate the level of football we play in the city of Atlanta, and it’s awesome to see our APS comrades come out and compete against good football teams from around the state and show themselves well.”
The Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic will continue through Saturday, August 17, and APS has one more team left to play. Therrell High School will face Hebron Christian High School at their stadium on Friday, August 16, at 4:30 p.m.
APS is off to a strong start to the football season and we’re looking forward to rooting for all of our student-athletes this season.
Once again, the Georgia High School football season will begin with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) leading the way with three teams in the 2024 Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic.
Frederick Douglass High School will play in the first high school football game of the year against LaGrange at Kell High School on Wednesday, August 14, at 4:30 p.m. This is the first year the Astros have been invited to the season-opening classic and the players are excited to get off the practice field and meet their opponent.
“Our young men are excited about an opportunity to be the first game in the state of Georgia,” Frederick Douglass High School head football coach Stanley Pritchett said. “We want to make sure we represent APS well, and represent Frederick Douglass in a first-class manor.”
After the Astros kick-off the season, North Atlanta High School returns to the Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic. Last year, the Warriors made a statement in defeating Johns Creek 58-14 in the first game of the 2023 season. This year, North Atlanta will face Kell High School at 7:30 p.m. directly after the Douglass vs. LaGrange game.
Both Douglass and North Atlanta have key players to watch. Douglass High School’s Jontae Gilbert is a 4-star defensive back and one of the top-ranked players in the state. North Atlanta’s Chase Linton is a 3-star defensive end committed to Rutgers.
On Friday, August 14, Therrell High School will travel to Hebron Christian High School for a 2 p.m. game against the host school.
Last season, APS schools finished with an overall 56-62 record with eight playoff teams (Douglass, Carver, Jackson, North Atlanta, South Atlanta, Mays, Therrell, and Washington). North Atlanta and Therrell had the best records in the district, both finishing last season 9-2.
APS is looking forward to another great football season and starting the year off strong at the Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic.
