Key Points:
• More than 63 percent of students enrolled in Sandy Springs schools are economically disadvantaged.
• Zone 4, which includes Sandy Springs public schools, has 8,774 students enrolled.
Fulton County Schools Zone 4 Superintendent Alexandra Bates told the school board that more than 63 percent of students enrolled in Sandy Springs public schools are economically disadvantaged, but have made significant strides academically.
Bates made her presentation during the Fulton County Schools Board of Education’s work session on Dec. 9.
Bates said Zone 4 has shown clear, consistent improvement over the last three years. The number of beginning learners has decreased and the number of proficient and distinguished learners has increased. Almost half of the students in Sandy Springs meet or exceed standards, with the graduation rate a 95.6 percent in the two traditional high schools, Riverwood and North Springs.
The 8,774 students enrolled in Pre-K to 12 are served by 1,145 employees.
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Bates’ report said that the Sandy Springs student population at these schools includes almost as many Hispanic students (2,718) as it does Black students (2,845). White students make up approximately 24 percent of the enrollment, or 2,160. Asian students are a smaller portion of the population, with 513 enrolled.
Almost 17 percent of the students are English learners, according to the Zone 4 report. Individuals with disabilities make up a little more than 12 percent of the student population. Approximately 18 percent of the students are classified as gifted.
Enrollment by grade level shows the stark reality of declining enrollment. According to the Zone 4 report, enrollment in grades nine through 12 totals 3,135. Only 2,335 students are enrolled in Sandy Springs schools in grades five through eight.
Bates said Zone 4 includes six elementary, three middle, and three high schools, plus six pre-K sites. Specialized learning is offered through one virtual school, one STEM campus, and one STEAM campus. Five schools provide the International Baccalaureate program, which Bates said offers rigorous opportunities for students.
“I want to highlight Woodland Elementary, which is one of the only two STEM schools in the district. Woodland has gone through a rigorous process to earn STEM certification and recently completed recertification,” Bates said. “It serves as a lab school hosting educators from across Georgia who visit to observe best practices and see students engaged in hands-on learning.”
Bates said Woodland’s commitment to hands-on, project-based learning in science, technology, engineering and math, STEM, and the design-thinking process is a way of life at the school. An example is the fifth grade’s work on its first semester question, which is how to lower the impact of power outages on lower-income families in the community. The solutions they create will be presented to community leaders.
“I’m proud to share that every elementary and middle school in zone four has surpassed this norm in English language arts. This is significant because strong growth scores are critical as we work to close achievement gaps for our students,” Bates said.
Other highlights include a 10.6 percent increase in reading indicators for Dunwoody Springs Elementary third graders. Ison Springs third graders had a 13.4 percent increase in reading, its fourth graders showed a 15.4 percent increase, and its fifth graders recorded a 13 percent increase.
Bates said these and other accomplishments couldn’t be done without community partnerships, including the Sandy Springs Education Force.