General Information

APS complies with the rules of the GHSA regarding eligibility and other athletic issues.

Grievances may be brought only by the affected student or by the affected student’s parent/guardian and shall proceed as discussed at schools/student-services/title-ix and in Policy IDF, Interscholastic Athletic Activities.

Limited Student Accident Insurance Plans are available through the Benefits and Risk Management Department. This limited plan may help pay for medical bills associated with an accident on an “excess” basis and may only pay for medical services that are not paid for by your current insurance according to the schedule of benefits. Please respond within 30 days of the start of school. Parents/guardians interested in enrolling must note the following:

• Obtain the Student Accident Insurance Coverage Enrollment Form from the building principal.
• Complete the 2026-2027 online application. The online option permits payment by credit/debit card.

For additional information about Student Accident Insurance, please contact Charlie Eisenbies, Assistant Vice President, Gallagher Special Risk Direct: 617-769-6458, Mobile: 781-264-2687, Fax: 617-769-6417.

No student shall be barred because of lack of funds from participating in trips planned as part of the general instructional program that occur during the school day. All requests for financial participation in such field trips shall be optional and shall in no way affect a student’s ability to participate. This policy applies to all school-sanctioned field trips, regardless of the mode of transportation, including those sponsored by schools, by parent groups or by community partners. Fees may be required for participation in excursions planned as enrichment activities outside of the regular school day, however, reasonable efforts shall be made to raise funds to assist students who are not able to pay the fees due to financial hardship. See Policy IFCB.

Students attending regularly scheduled club meetings must follow the rules established by their school. Clubs will meet on a scheduled basis so as not to conflict with academic instruction. Sponsors or coaches may establish standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter than those for students in general. If a violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by the Student Code of Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition to any consequences specified by the organization’s standards of behavior. The school system may charge fees for extracurricular activities. Such charges shall not be made a condition of participation or credit in an instructional program. Fees for extracurricular activities that may be charged to students include, but are not limited to: gate admissions, student publications, graduation fees if participation is not required, activity fees, and parking. For more comprehensive guidelines, please refer to Policy JHC and Regulation JHC-R(1).

In the event of severe weather or other emergencies, official information about school closings will be broadcast on Atlanta area radio and television stations. Parents/guardians should be aware that severe weather or other emergencies could cause school to be canceled during the school day and should plan accordingly. APS works closely with local television and radio media outlets to inform the public when school closings occur. The following media outlets will provide up-to-date information to the public in the event of a school closing or if the student day must be shortened due to emergency conditions: WSB radio and local television WSB (ABC), WGCL (CBS), WAGA (FOX), and WXIA (NBC) are the official stations for APS announcements of school closure.

All APS facilities have an emergency operations plan. The specifics of each plan differ for each location. Students, teachers, and other district employees will participate in training and drills of emergency procedures. When emergency announcements are made or the fire alarm is sounded, students and visitors must follow the direction of teachers or other campus staff in charge quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner.

All APS employees and volunteers are mandated reporters and must report suspected abuse or neglect. The school social worker is the designated reporter to DFCS for APS. In accordance to Georgia code § 19-7-5, all DFCS reports must be made immediately, but no later than 24 hours from the time there is reasonable cause to believe that suspected child abuse has occurred.

Reports made in good faith may include:

• Suspected physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• Suspected neglect
• Inappropriate conduct by school staff

Students, parents, or friends can report directly to DFCS Child Protective Center at 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453)—available 24/7. Third party reports of abuse can be shared with the school’s administrator or school social worker, as well as APS Social Work Services at 404-802-1927 or 404-802-1928.

Note: DFCS may interview a student at school without parent notification. APS staff cannot share details of reports with parents.

The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act requires that students must satisfy school attendance requirements in order to receive and maintain a Georgia driver’s permit or license. There is a $5.00 fee for all Certificates of Enrollment. Students should submit their request for a Certificate of Enrollment at least two weeks prior to the date needed. For additional information, contact the school office. During the summer months, Certificates of Enrollment are issued by the Department of Student Relations, 130 Trinity Avenue, Second Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303; 404-802-2233.

Parking on school grounds is not a right, it is a privilege, which can be revoked. Students who drive to school must follow all safety rules and procedures established by the principal, including obtaining a parking permit if required. Violation of the rules, regulations, and policies of the Board of Education and/or the school concerning driving or parking a vehicle on school campus can result in suspension or expulsion from school, revocation of parking privileges, and/or having the vehicle towed away at the driver’s expense. While a student’s vehicle is on school property, the principal and their designee have the right to search the vehicle without obtaining permission of the student. If you disagree with the school’s ability to search your vehicle, do not park on school property.

In Georgia, teens and minors accused of sexting images of or to another minor can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances involved. In accordance with O.C.G.A 16-12-100, a felony conviction carries a sentence between five and 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. The offense is considered a “sexual offense,” which requires a mandatory minimum sentence that cannot be suspended. The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor conviction is 12 months in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both.

Felony Offenses

An adult (older than 18) who commits a crime of computer or electronic child pornography faces felony penalties. Teenagers ages 18 and younger can also be charged with a felony if the conduct involved does not fall within the misdemeanor offense.

Misdemeanor Offenses

Georgia law allows a reduced misdemeanor penalty for certain acts of teen sexting. Misdemeanor penalties apply only if:

• The child depicted in the image is 14 or 15
• The depicted child consented to its creation, and
• The defendant did not distribute the image to another

Georgia Code O.C.G.A § 16-5-46 prohibits trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude. Sexual servitude means, in part “any sexually explicit conduct as defined in Code Section § 16-12-100 for which anything of value is directly or indirectly given, promised to, or received by any person, which conduct is induced or obtained by coercion or deception, or which conduct is induced or obtained from a person under the age of 18 years.” Any person who commits the offense of trafficking a person for labor or sexual servitude against a person who is under the age of 18 shall be guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for 10-20 years.

The Atlanta Public School District takes a strong stance against human trafficking by educating our students, teachers, administrators, support staff, and other employees about the dangers and signs of child exploitation, as well as human trafficking. Professional development offerings are provided online to all staff, and students are also provided with opportunities to learn about human trafficking through our Social Emotional Learning curriculum. Additionally, in accordance with O.C.G.A § 16-5-47 and Georgia State Bill 104, all buildings in the district have adult-appropriate awareness/reporting posters in the adult restrooms, as well as age-appropriate signage in all schools.

Discuss internet safety with your child. Please encourage your child to do the following:

• Allow you as a friend with them on all social media accounts for safety
• Accept friend requests only from people they have met in person
• Inform parent/guardian if any adult request to be their friend on social media
• Speak with you if any sexual images or other inappropriate links messages are received
• Alert parents/guardians if anyone suggests they send inappropriate photos or if someone offers a job or travel opportunity

Learn additional internet safety tips here: www.internetsafety101.org and warning signs of human trafficking here: https://www.gacares.org/warning-signs.html

Lockers are property of the school and may be opened by a school official without the permission of the individual student. Students to whom lockers are assigned can be suspended or expelled if the locker contains weapons, drugs, or other unauthorized materials.

Parents/guardians are welcome to eat lunch with their children at school; however, a school may limit or cancel lunches if a parent’s/guardian’s presence or behavior intentionally or unintentionally causes a disruption or safety concern. All visitors must sign in at the school office and obtain a visitor’s badge that must be worn at all times while in the building or while on the school grounds. Food cannot be delivered to students during the school day by any food establishment, inclusive of but not limited to UberEats, DoorDash or GrubHub, without prior approval by the principal.

If a student becomes too ill to remain in class, the student may contact their parents/guardians to make arrangements to be checked out of school. The principal should be notified in writing if a student has a chronic illness or disability that could require special or emergency treatment. Students should not return to school until fever-, vomiting-, and/or diarrhea-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.

COVID-like symptoms: students who arrive at school with COVID-like symptoms (i.e., new onset of cough, headache, fatigue, sore throat, fever, runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) will be transported to the CARE room for parent/ guardian to be notified and check their student out of school. Parents/ guardians should make arrangements to check the student out within one hour of being notified by school.

Parents/guardians are required to monitor their student’s health. If a student is ill with COVID-like symptoms from a COVID-19 test, the student is required to stay home and contact their school administrator and school nurse for additional guidance. Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to complete the student self-reporting form located on our district website to self-report positive COVID-19 cases.

Certificates of Immunization are required by Georgia Law 20-2-771. All kindergarten, 6th and 7th grade students, all students new to Georgia, and students coming from any private school must have the Georgia Certificate of Immunization Form 3231 signed by a licensed healthcare provider or the county health department. For students entering from out-of-state schools, please contact your local Health Department or a Georgia licensed physician to have immunizations transferred to Form 3231. You will need to have your immunization record from your state in order to transfer immunizations to Form 3231. All requirements apply to students transferring from out-of-state schools to Georgia schools.

New entrants include anyone that is entering Georgia schools for the first time or is returning to a Georgia school after being gone for more than 12 months or one school year. To be enrolled in APS, ALL certificates of immunization must be marked, “Complete for Attendance,” or have a future expiration date. Expired certificates will not be accepted for enrollment.

Kindergarten (Requirements For K-6)

• Four + DTaP (Number of doses depends upon age given)
• Four + IPV (Number of doses depends upon age given)
• Three Hepatitis B
• Two doses of Measles vaccine, two doses of Mumps vaccine, and one dose of Rubella vaccine or Two doses of the combined MMR [Or documented history of disease or serology]
• Two Hepatitis A [Hepatitis A (Required if born on or after 01/01/2006]
• Two doses of Varicella vaccine [Or documented history of disease or serology]

Rising 7th Grade Immunization Requirements

All new entrants to grades 8-12 who are entering into a Georgia school for the first time or entering after having been absent from a Georgia school for more than 12 months (one school year) will be required to have:

• 1 dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccine, and
• 1 dose of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Please Note: These changes only affect rising 7th graders, and students who are considered “new entrants” for grades 8-12.

New 11th Grade Immunization Requirements

Georgia’s immunization requirements for students entering or transferring into the 11th grade have been revised to align with the current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Effective July 1, 2021, all students who are new entrants or transfers into a Georgia school in the 11th grade, will require proof of a booster dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday.

Additional Requirements

• Certificates must be signed by a physician licensed in GA or a public health official. A stamp of a physician’s signature is permissible when cosigned by an office staff member.
• Certificates must have a printed, typed, or stamped name and address of the physician, health department, or Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) official issuing the certificate.
• Certificates must have a complete date of issue with the month, day, and year.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the school to arrange a parent-teacher conference when they would like more information about their child’s performance at school. Teachers are not available for parent-teacher conferences during instructional time. Parents/guardians who request a classroom observation or a teacher conference shall provide at least 24 hours advance notice. Parents/guardians are encouraged to utilize the scheduled teacher conference day to address student issues.

If your children are multiple birth siblings (e.g., twins, triplets, etc.) assigned to the same grade and campus, you may request that they be placed either in the same classroom or in separate classrooms. Your written request must be submitted no later than the 14th day after the enrollment of your children.

The Atlanta Board of Education recognizes that electronic media, including the internet and email, enhances the quality and delivery of instruction in our schools by providing access to unique resources and opportunities for collaborative work. Any electronic activity conducted by employees, students, or other persons via the APS network or using APS computer resources, hardware, or software is subject to inspection and monitoring. There should not be any expectation of privacy. The use of electronic systems shall be in support of and consistent with the vision, mission, and goals established by the Atlanta Board of Education and for the purpose of instructional and administrative support. The use of electronic technology is a privilege that may be revoked at any time. For more information, review the Student Code of Conduct, Regulation JCDA-(R)(1), as well as Board Policy IFBG, Internet Acceptable Use.

APS provides the most appropriate instructional resources available and uses a rigorous selection process to ensure our textbooks and educational materials meet our goals. Please refer to Policy IFAA for more information. Instructional resources may include textbooks, software, online materials and programs, workbooks, and specialized formats, e.g., Braille, audio, digital, large print, or other versions. All instructional resources are aligned with the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards and other standards for our course offerings.

The number of materials available is based on the instructional requirements for the course. In some cases, students are assigned textbooks to take home; in other cases, the materials are available only during classroom time. In all cases, students should receive all materials needed to successfully complete the homework assigned by the teacher. Students may be required to supply paper, pencils, crayons, and pens, but specific types or brands of materials are not required.

Special clothing the school system requires for a state-funded course shall not be specific as to color or brand. This does not apply to school uniforms.

The school system shall provide all special safety equipment or protective clothing for any course.

Students may be charged for replacement/repair costs due to loss or abuse of school system property including, but not limited to textbooks, library books, media materials, musical instruments, technology, or athletic equipment.

• Parental and student contracts for the use and return of devices must be issued and signed before device is issued.
• Replacement fee payment required after loss of second device.
• Students are responsible for the reasonable care and return of district issued devices and accessories; returned devices should be in good, working order.

To ensure the safety of students, the confidentiality of personal information, and the integrity of the learning environment, the board limits visitors to:

• The parent/guardian of a current student;
• Other family members of a current student at the request of the parent/guardian;
• Individuals with official business approved in advance by the school principal, including, but not limited to, community volunteers, student mentors, board members, and guest speakers; and
• Outside service providers who currently provide private educational or therapy services to a student at the request of the parent/guardian.

All visitors must sign in at the school office and obtain a visitor’s badge that must be worn at all times while in the building or while on the school grounds. In accordance with policy GAMA Safe and Drug-Free Workplace, visitors shall not possess weapons on APS property, in a school or other APS facility, or at any school or district-sponsored activity in accordance with O.C.G.A. §16-11-127.1, any other applicable laws and administrative regulations issued by the Superintendent.

Note: The presence of unauthorized visitors on school grounds or in facilities may constitute trespassing and may subject violators to criminal prosecution under the laws of the State of Georgia.

In support of student success, the Atlanta Board of Education shall offer programs of study that permit students to earn unit credit in grades nine through 12 leading to graduation with a diploma that prepares students for postsecondary education and careers. The Atlanta Board of Education believes coursework beyond that required by the State of Georgia fully prepares students for college and career. The superintendent is authorized to issue administrative regulations to implement this policy. For additional information regarding this policy please see Board Policy IHF.

Students may satisfy graduation requirements by taking equivalent AP/IB/ Dual Enrollment courses. Core courses and PE electives are listed by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Accelerated Career Diploma offers qualified students an alternate path to high school graduation. Participating students choose to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a college Associate Degree, or a Technical Diploma, or two (2) Technical Certificates of Credit in a specific career pathway in a program or course approved by the SBOE.

To participate in any graduation exercises or ceremonies, APS seniors must meet all of the requirements specified in policy IHF and in administrative regulations issued by the Superintendent for an APS high school diploma or a special education diploma. Students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) indicate that they are unable to meet these requirements shall be allowed to participate in graduation exercises and ceremonies. Students must satisfy the requirements established for their graduating class, which is determined by the date of enrollment in the 9th grade. For additional information, please contact your school counselor.

Student participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, the principal may prohibit a student’s participation if the student is found to have violated any provision of the Code of Conduct. Participation in the graduation ceremony is voluntary; therefore, a graduation fee or senior dues may be charged to cover associated costs. However, students will be given written notification of this fee and description of costs at the beginning of the school year in which they are to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Each traditional high school, including individual small schools comprising educational complexes, will designate a valedictorian and salutatorian for each graduating class.

• Valedictorian: The student who has earned the highest class rank in the graduating class and who has met the eligibility requirements specified below.
• Salutatorian: The student who has earned the second-highest class rank in the graduating class and who has met the eligibility requirements specified below.

Eligibility

• The eligible student will have been enrolled in the school from which they will graduate by the end of the first semester of their junior year.
• The eligible student will have transferred five or fewer units from a school or program that is not accredited in accordance with state board rule 160-5-1-.15 Acceptance of Transfer Credit and/or Grades and IHA-R(1) Grading Systems – Grading Expectations.
• The eligible student will have a weighted numeric grade-point average of 90 or above.
• Students selected as valedictorians and salutatorians must complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the second semester of their senior year. Students who have been selected but fail to complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the second semester for any reason shall become ineligible, and the next eligible candidate will be selected as the valedictorian or salutatorian.

Selection

• Class rankings to determine the valedictorian and salutatorian will be generated based on grades earned by the end of the first semester of the senior year.
• Class ranking is established based on the weighted numeric grade-point average calculated in accordance with policy IHC, Class Rankings.
• The official class ranking list will be the student information system-generated ranking of the weighted numeric grade-point averages of all eligible students in the graduating class.
• Co-valedictorians and co-salutatorians will be identified if there is an exact grade-point average tie for either the highest or second-highest class rank. See Administrative Regulation IHC-R(1).