Clayton County School District
Teachers and residents of Clayton Country believe that their students have an excellent set-up due to the location of the county relative to the City of Atlanta.
With the capital city so close by, families can benefit from the metropolitan lifestyle whenever they have the need or desire to do so - shopping, theatre, high end restaurants and tourism included. On a day to day basis, however, families and Clayton County students are able to enjoy the simpler life that comes of residing just south of the major urban center. The county encompasses a large area south of Atlanta and this is, in fact, one of the largest school districts in the entire country. The district has to work hard to give its students an efficient and top quality education, given the number of students in a relatively low number of elementary, middle, high and specialized schools.
Courses from kindergarten to Grade 12 are tailored to offer the highest educational experience with specialized programs and school services. Having been the very first Georgia school district to set up full time counselling for the students, and also to reorganize the school system to encompass lead teachers for each subject, Clayton County has been ahead of its time for years, and expects the best from its staff as well as its students.
The middle school curriculum includes algebra, computer literacy, foreign languages and vocational programs to give kids a head start on their future careers. The students are also given the choice to join in on any number of other exploratory and educational programs, some of which are outside the curriculum; such as band, chorus, art and various sporting teams like football, track and swimming.
The focus of the high school curriculum is to finish off the specific areas of study that have been begun since elementary school, but also to introduce a heavier push towards vocational studies. It is the hope of teaching staff, and of district employees, that Clayton County high school students will graduate with the knowledge needed for any number of employment opportunities along with the options and skills necessary to take on further education or apprenticeships in many fields.
Clayton County schools currently employ more music and arts specialists than any other Atlanta schools and declare that their dedication to the performing arts is unequalled in any other nearby district. This offers a unique opportunity for students to have a glimpse into non-traditional vocational exploits and to whet their appetites on a part of the curriculum that is often overlooked by many other schools who decide that the time and resources necessary for music and art is just not achievable.
Students in this school district enjoy a distinctive education that is unparalleled in most other regions, particularly since the number of students is so high given the actual number of schools in the region.