Atlanta has 623 schools. So, if you’re moving locally or moving long-distance to Atlanta and want to find a good school for your kids, don’t be surprised if you don’t come to a decision overnight. After all, you have quite a few options to choose from. 

How do you sort through the schools to find the very best schools in Atlanta? Well, that’s what Bellhop is here for! Not only are we the best Atlanta movers, but in this blog, we’ll cover public schools, private schools, and more to help you choose a nice school and school district for your children. “

Let’s get started! Shall we?

Atlanta skyline at night

How do you find the best schools in Atlanta?

There are many ways to simplify your search for a school in Atlanta. To find the best schools in Atlanta for your kids, you’ll first want to decide between a public or private school district. Then, see which schools are closest to your home, and evaluate them as a whole.

That means:

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  • What is the average graduation rate?
  • What are the average math and English proficiencies?
  • How is the school rated?
  • What do the reviews say?

Keep reading for a more comprehensive look at the public school and private school systems in Atlanta. 

How are public schools in Atlanta?

According to the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia’s high-school graduation rate increased slightly from 83.8% in 2020 to 83.7% in 2021. The Atlanta Public Schools district had an impressive 83.1% high-school graduation rate in 2021, which is the highest it’s ever been and a jump of 2.8% from 2020. (Keep in mind that only 37% of students are proficient in reading and 34% in mathematics in this school district.)

All in all, there are many highly rated Atlanta public schools to choose from. The suburbs typically have a lower student-to-teacher ratio, which equates to more one-on-one teaching for each child. Also, suburbs such as Alpharetta tend to have higher high-school graduation rates. (There were 7.7% more people living in Alpharetta who graduated high school than in the Greater Atlanta area.) 

The math and English proficiency range between 30%-99%, depending on the school and location. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, for example, has a whopping 99% proficiency in math and reading among students and is rated an A+ for academics, teachers, diversity, college prep, and health and safety. 

Top-rated public schools in Atlanta

There are many highly ranked elementary, middle, and high schools in the city of Atlanta. Below is a quick list: 

Best Elementary Schools in Atlanta:

Best Middle Schools in Atlanta:

Best High Schools in Atlanta: 

Teacher helping young children with an assignment

What private schools are in Atlanta?

Some top-rated private schools in Atlanta include:

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Of course, there are 487 private schools across the Atlanta Metropolitan area. So, if you’re looking for more private schools in Atlanta, GA, see below:

What are suburban Atlanta schools like?

Atlanta suburbs are known for lower-cost housing and relatively safe neighborhoods with great schools. Many suburbs are acclaimed for their school systems, which are rated as some of the top in the state and–yes–even the nation.

At the end of the day, if you intend to put your kids in a public school in Atlanta, you’ll need to move to the suburb where you want them to attend school. So, don’t just look at the school system, but also look at the quality of life, cost of living, and amenities in your target suburb. That way, you can make sure it’s a great fit for your family before you decide to move there.  

What suburbs have particularly good school systems?

A suburb that consistently makes the list of the top public schools in Atlanta is Buford. With 16,003 people in this Atlanta suburb and A-rated public school systems, it’s easy to feel right at home, for your kids to make friends, and to know you found a great place for your kids to get a quality education. 

One resident says, “I love Buford. Everything you need is right in this little city.” They go on to add, “My daughter graduated from a great high school in the area & is currently going to college for free, due to the HOPE scholarship for GA graduates. Don’t miss out on Buford! Excellent place to buy a home!

Another Atlanta suburb with highly rated school systems is Peachtree City. Roughly 35,844 people call this suburb home, and fun fact: it’s considered one of the top places to bring up roots in the state of Georgia. 

Next, you have Alpharetta. Like the other two cities, Alpharetta is known for its great school ratings. There are about 66,566 people who live in this Georgia city. It’s one of the top places and suburbs to call home in The Peach State and easily one of the best locations to raise kids. So, if you want to find a good school system in Atlanta, these three suburbs are the places to look. 

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What are the best school districts in Atlanta?

Below are some of the leading school districts in ATL: 

Buford City Schools

Not only is this school district among the best high schools in the Atlanta suburbs, but it’s also rated the “#1 best school district in Georgia,” according to Niche. The district has approximately 5,468 students across PK and K-12. Roughly 75% of the students are proficient in math, with 67% proficient in reading. 

Forsyth County Schools

This school district is the fifth biggest public school district in the state of Georgia. There are over 53,500 students in 42 total schools, including elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Roughly 3 in 4 students are proficient in math, and just under that (73% of students) are proficient in reading. 

Bremen City Schools

Bremen City Schools prides itself on being among the top PK-12 school districts in Georgia. This district has 2,287 students, with 71% of students proficient in reading and 78% proficient in mathematics. 

Good luck with your school search

If you’ve yet to make the move to make the move yet, here are a few other guides on the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, Atlanta’s best neighborhoods for families, and the best up and coming neighborhoods in Atlanta.

Now that you know the best schools in Atlanta, we hope this makes your school search a little easier. If you ever need help moving, remember Bellhop is here to help. If you’re moving locally in Atlanta, moving long-distance to Atlanta, or need same-day moving help in Atlanta, we’ve got you.

Book a move online today.

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Larry Blue
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