About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 2025)
ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS OCTOBER 2025|29 EDUCATION More hearings for APS school closures as parents push back By Collin Kelley Atlanta Public Schools will host another round of virtual and in-person public meetings as parents push back against proposed school closures, consolidations, repurposing, and redistricting. APS virtual meetings was held on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.; Sept. 25 at noon; and Oct. 20 at noon. An in- person meeting is also set for Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at APS headquarters in Downtown. The school district is considering the changes as part of its Comprehensive Long-Range Facilities Plan (CLRFP), also known as APS Forward 2040. APS said there are 70,000 available seats, but only 50,000 students are currently enrolled. The CLRFP is designed to address overcrowded schools, underutilized campuses, aging facilities, and the need for equitable access to specialized academic programs. APS plans to finalize its recommendation by November and adopt the final plan by December. Some parents have organized against Fulton County Schools post gains in grad rates By Rough Draft Staff North Springs and Riverwood International Charter high schools in Sandy Springs had impressive graduation rates last year in Georgia as Fulton County Schools reached its highest level in the district’s history. North Springs four-year graduation rate was 94.9 percent and Riverwood attained a 97.1 percent graduation rate for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the Georgia Department of Education’s Inspire website. The school district attained a 91.9 percent overall rate, according to a news release. It was the fifth year in a row that Fulton County Schools (FCS) broke graduation records. The rate had dipped in 2020 for the first time since 2012. The release said that in the last five years FCS had a 6.4 percent increase. “We have come a long way since the N (File photo) V ■ -. 1. the plan over what they call APS’s lack of transparency, including those with students at Buckhead’s Morris Brandon Elementary School. The APS plan would see Morris Brandon split into two separate K-5 schools, which is just one of the major changes proposed for the North Atlanta cluster. One scenario, eliminating all dual campus models, would mean significant redistricting. The Save Brandon group said on its website that “our community is asking for greater transparency, more detailed information, and a meaningful opportunity to engage in the process before any final decisions are made.” pandemic and believe our continued progress is the result of our persistence in utilizing dedicated funds for recovery, effective data analysis, recruiting top talent, and investing in innovation that has transformed what was a period of crisis into one of restoration and thriving,” Superintendent Mike Looney said, according to the release. FCS attributed its investment in multiple strategies throughout the pandemic, such as targeted academic supports, expanded access to advanced coursework, investment in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways, and new data monitoring tools for the graduation rate increase. According to the release, a measure of that success was that students who completed two or more CTAE courses posted a 99 percent graduate rate. Seventeen of the school district’s 21 high schools surpassed the 90 percent graduation rate threshold. Saturday, November 1st 10AM-4PM Marist School 3790 Ashford Dunwoody RD NE $5 Entrance Fee No Strollers Please Come shop over 240 vendors, new and returning, who will delight with their: Art, Candles, Handbags & Accessories, Honey, Jewelry, Knitted Items, Ornaments, Pottery, Silk Scarves, Wooden Goods, and more Unique Finds sponsors Georgia Natural Gas DeKalb County Georgia Water Rate Assistance Program Ensuring Water Affordability For All DeKalb Residents. 10% Water Rate Increase August 2025 COUNTY. Urban League of Greater Atlanta
