High Schools in Atlanta Public Schools

The Atlanta Public Schools district encompasses 15 high schools serving students in grades 9-12. These schools vary significantly in their academic performance, with some standout institutions like Midtown High School and Charles Drew Charter Ja/Senior Academy consistently ranking among the top 25% of Georgia high schools. In contrast, Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy and Carver High School face significant challenges, with very low proficiency rates and high poverty levels.

The district-wide 4-year graduation rate is 85.4%, but academic performance varies widely. The top-performing schools have 50-60% proficiency rates on end-of-course exams, while the lowest-performing schools struggle to reach single-digit proficiency. Spending per student ranges from $13,318 to $45,343, with the highest-poverty schools receiving the most funding, though this does not necessarily translate to better outcomes. Student-teacher ratios also vary, from 6.5 to 15.6 students per teacher, without a clear correlation to school performance.

The data highlights the need for targeted interventions and support in the lowest-performing schools to address the root causes of their struggles, whether that's poverty, resource inequities, or other systemic challenges. The charter schools, such as Charles Drew Charter Ja/Senior Academy and Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy, are outperforming the traditional public high schools, suggesting that the charter model may be more effective in this district.