Clayton County Public Schools
| Clayton County Public Schools | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
1058 Fifth Avenue
, Georgia, 30236United States | |
| Coordinates | 33°32′11″N 84°21′26″W / 33.53639°N 84.35722°W |
| District information | |
| Type | Public |
| Grades | Pre-kindergarten – 12 |
| Superintendent | Douglas Hendrix Sr. (interim) [1] |
| Chair of the board | Benjamin Straker, Sr. (District 9) |
| Accreditations | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Cognia (education) |
| Budget | $1,514,097,197 (2026) |
| NCES District ID | 1301230[2] |
| Students and staff | |
| Students | 51,055 (2024–25)[2] |
| Teachers | 3,446.10 (FTE)[2] |
| Student–teacher ratio | 14.82[2] |
| Other information | |
| Website | clayton.k12.ga.us |
The Clayton County Public School District (CCPS) is a public school district headquartered in Jonesboro, Georgia.[2] It administers schools inside of Clayton County, Georgia. Serving more than 52,000 students, Clayton County Public Schools is ranked among the 100 largest school districts in the United States and is the sixth-largest school system in Georgia.[3]
The system has 39 primary/elementary schools (including one public charter), 17 middle schools (including one public charter), 12 high schools, one alternative education center, one psychological education center, and one multi-purpose education center. Included in this number are five school-wide magnet schools, 12 magnet programs, one state-certified STEM program, one Cognia (AdvancED) certified STEM program, and two International Baccalaureate Candidate schools.
The majority of Clayton County's students are African American and Hispanic.[4] However, there is also a diverse minority with 90 different ethnicities and countries represented.
Based the National Center for Education Statistics, 20.0% of CCPS students live in families making income below the poverty line, and 42% live with single parents.[5]
As of the 2019–2020 school year, over 12,000 students speak a language other than English and over 6,000 are counted as English language learners. Spanish and Vietnamese are the two most spoken languages besides English.
Loss of accreditation
On August 28, 2008 the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) revoked accreditation for the Clayton County School District. Clayton County Public Schools is the third school district in the United States to lose accreditation since 1969.[6] Clayton County Public Schools regained accreditation status in 2009 on a probationary status eight months after the revocation of the school district's accreditation.[7]
Board of education
As of 2026, the members of the Clayton County Public School board of education are:[8]
- Jasmine Bowles (District 1)
- Mark Christmas (District 2)
- Jessie Goree (District 3),
- Victoria Williams (District 4)
- Deatrice "Dee" Haney (District 5)
- Mary Baker (District 6), board vice-chair
- Sabrina Hill (District 7)
- Joy Tellis-Cooper (District 8)
- Benjamin Straker (District 9), board chair
Superintendents
Dr. Douglas Hendrix has been the interim superintendent of Clayton County Public Schools since February 2, 2026.[9] He was appointed by the board of education on to be interim superintendent, to succeed Dr. Anthony Smith, who stepped down from the position early. Hendrix was previously the Senior Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Staff for the school district.[10]
List of superintendents:
- Ernest Stroud (1970–1986)
- Joe Lovin (1987–1989)
- Bob Livingston (1990–1994)
- Joe Hairston (1995–2000)
- Dan Colwell (2000–2003)
- William Chavis (interim, 2003-2004)[11]
- Barbara Pulliam (2004-2007)[12]
- John W. Thompson (2008-2009)[13][14] Vayla S. Lee (interim; 2009)[15]
- Edmond Heatley (2009-2012)
- Luvenia Jackson (2012-2017)
- Morcease Beasley (2017-2022)
- Anthony W. Smith (2022-2026)
- Douglas Hendrix, Sr (interim 2026-Present)
Schools
High schools
These high schools are located in Clayton County.
| School | Mascot | Year opened | Principal | School Choice & Program Offerings | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Drew High School | Titans | 2009 | Tangela Benjamin | Medical Sciences Magnet | |
| Elite Scholars Academy | Knights | 2009 | Sam West | Advanced Placement; Dual enrollment; Early College; Cambridge Assessment International Education | |
| Forest Park High School | Panthers | 1962 | Kim Dancy | Advanced Placement; Dual Enrollment; AP Capstone | |
| Jonesboro High School | Cardinals | 1963 | Tenisha Bailey | Political Leadership Magnet; International Baccalaureate (Seeking Candidacy-2022) | |
| Lovejoy High School | Wildcats | 1989 | Kareem Sanders | Mathematics and Computer Science Magnet | |
| Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts | Stallions | 2015 | Brenda Ross-Wilson | Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (Dance, Music: Band, Guitar, Piano, Orchestra, Vocal, Theatre) | [16] |
| Morrow High School | Mustangs | 1970 | Lawvigneaud Harrell | Science, Technology and Mathematics Magnet; AP Capstone | |
| Mount Zion High School | Bulldogs | 1990 | Kimberly Grant | Advanced Placement; Dual Enrollment | |
| Mundy's Mill High School | Tigers | 2002 | Sheadric Barbra | Film & Media Magnet | |
| North Clayton High School | Eagles | 1967 | James Scarborough | Advanced Placement; Dual Enrollment; Early College- Aviation | |
| Perry Career Academy | TBD | TBD | Terry Young | Advanced Placement; Dual Enrollment | |
| Riverdale High School | Raiders | 1977 | Sharon Wilson | Advanced Placement; Dual Enrollment; Advantage Academy (Business Administration) | |
| [17] | |||||
Middle schools
These middle schools are located in Clayton County.
| School | Mascot | Principal | School Choice & Program Offerings | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adamson Middle School | Indians | Adrian Courtland | N/A | |
| Babb Middle School | Bulldogs | Deborah Green | Media Arts | |
| Eddie White 6-8 Academy | Wolfpack | Micki Harris | N/A | |
| Elite Scholars Academy | Knights | Sam West | Early College- Advanced Learning; Cambridge Assessment International Education | |
| Forest Park Middle School | Panthers | Harold Dobbins | N/A | |
| Jonesboro Middle School | Bears | Kimberlee Barnett | International Baccalaureate (Seeking Candidacy-2020) | |
| Kendrick Middle School | Comets | Letitia Lewis | N/A | |
| M.D. Roberts Middle School | Rams | Lee Buddy | Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (Dance, Media Arts- Visual, Music: Band, Orchestra, Vocal, Theatre) | |
| Morrow Middle School | Bobcats | Christopher Robinson | Spanish Dual Language Magnet | |
| Mundy's Mill Middle School | Razorbacks | Jakarra Young | Media Arts Music Magnet | |
| North Clayton Middle School | Tigers | Shakeria Chaney | N/A | |
| Pointe South Middle School | Vikings | Malakia Wright | Theatre | |
| Rex Mill Middle School | Yellow Jackets | Jarret Proctor | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) | |
| Riverdale Middle School | Spartans | Cedrick Coleman | N/A | |
| Sequoyah Middle School | Warriors | Jhamare Hartsfield | N/A | |
| [18] | ||||
Elementary schools
These elementary schools are located in Clayton County.
| Schools | Mascot | Principal | School Choice & Program Offerings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Elementary School | Pirates | Tonia Luttery | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Arnold Elementary School | Eagles | Nicole Chapman | Cambridge Assessment International Education |
| Brown Elementary School | Bears | Joane McDonald | Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) |
| Callaway Elementary School | Knights | Dawn Watkins | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Church Street Elementary School | Wildcats | Monica Goree | Pre-Kindergarten |
| East Clayton Elementary School | Cougars | Zakaria Watson | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Edmonds Elementary School | Tigers | Marques Strickland | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Fountain Elementary School | Rams | Stephanie Graffree | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Harper Elementary School | Hawks | Tara Davison | N/A |
| Hawthorne Elementary School | Hawks | Karisa Walker | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Haynie Elementary School | Hornets | Vanessa Muhammad | N/A |
| Huie Elementary School | Vikings | Arlando Dawson | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Jackson Elementary School | Jaguars | Angela Jenifer | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Kay Pace School of The Arts | Panthers | Lee Buddy | Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (Dance, Music- Instrumental, Music-Vocal, Theatre) |
| Kemp Elementary School | Koalas | Zsa Zsa Davis | N/A |
| Kemp Primary | Pandas | Johnnie Nauck | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Kilpatrick Elementary School | Cougars | Candice Jester | Spanish Dual Language Magnet |
| M.L. King Elementary School | Huskies | Carl Jackson | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Michelle Obama STEM Academy | Panther | Marcia Payton-Edwards | |
| Lake City Elementary School | Tigers | Malika Gonzales | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Lake Ridge Elementary School | Dolphins | Kelley Starks | Pre-Kindergarten; French Dual Language Magnet |
| Lee Street Elementary School | Eagles | Wendell Span | Pre-Kindergarten; International Baccalaureate Candidate |
| Marshall Elementary School | Eagles | Candice McBryde | N/A |
| McGarrah Elementary School | Wildcats | Lakeisha Sims | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Morrow Elementary School | Wildcats | Crystal Haines | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Mount Zion Elementary School | Lions | Tonishia Sullivan-Whitlow | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Mount Zion Primary | Lion Cubs | Enika Bryant | Pre-Kindergarten; Spanish Dual Language Magnet |
| Northcutt Elementary School | Eagles | Alex Davis | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Oliver Elementary School | Eagles | Millicent Crews | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Pointe South Elementary School | Mustangs | Roxanne Dixon | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Riverdale Elementary School | Rockets | Michael Faison | N/A |
| River's Edge Elementary School | Eagles | Dira Harris | Pre-Kindergarten; Chinese Dual Language Magnet |
| Smith Elementary School | Grey Timber Wolves | Scharbrenia Lockhart | N/A |
| Suder Elementary School | Wildcats | Lekisha Anderson | Pre-Kindergarten; Cambridge Assessment International Education |
| Swint Elementary School | Eagles | Sara Stephens | N/A |
| Tara Elementary School | Mustangs | Michael Thompson | Pre-Kindergarten |
| Unidos Dual Language School | Puma | Emma Brandy | Pre-Kindergarten; Spanish Dual Language Magnet |
| West Clayton Elementary School | Black Panther | Rochelle Harris | Pre-Kindergarten |
References
- ↑ Clayton County Public Schools Superintendent information. Access date on 2026-02-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Clayton County". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences.
- ↑ "About - Clayton County Public Schools". www.clayton.k12.ga.us. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
- ↑ "ACS School District Profile 2015-19". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ↑ "ACS-ED School District Profile 2019-23". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
- ↑ Lohr, Kathy (August 29, 2008). "Georgia's Clayton County Schools Lose Accreditation". NPR.
- ↑ "District regains accreditation, is put on probation".
- ↑ "Board of Education". Clayton County Board of Education. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ↑ "CCPS to hold swearing-in ceremony for interim superintendent". Clayton News. January 27, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Interim Superintendent - Clayton County Public Schools". www.clayton.k12.ga.us. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ↑ "William Chavis Obituary (2004) - Fort Wayne, IN - Fort Wayne Newspapers". Legacy.com. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ↑ Staff (February 9, 2004). "Pulliam era commences". Clayton News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ↑ Staff (March 23, 2008). "Thompson seen as someone who steps on toes". Clayton News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ↑ Jacobson, Linda (August 29, 2008). "Loss of Accreditation Rocks Georgia District". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ↑ Staff (March 14, 2009). "Clayton BOE fires Superintendent Thompson Valya Lee becomes fourth school chief in two years". Clayton News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Fine arts high school opens in Jonesboro". January 8, 2015.
- ↑ High Schools Archived 2008-04-23 at the Wayback Machine. Clayton County Public Schools. Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
- ↑ Middle Schools Archived 2013-07-19 at the Wayback Machine. Clayton County Public Schools. Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
External links
- [https://nces.ed.gov/Programs/Edge/ACSDashboard/1301230 ACS-ED District Demographic
Dashboard 2018–22]