View All News

Twenty-six Cherokee County School District high school students are spending this summer as student researchers through a partnership with Georgia’s National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center! 

A Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 graduate has earned a national competitive scholarship for future educators!  Anna Weitzenkorn, who graduated this spring from Cherokee High School, is a recipient of the Vicki Soto Scholarship, receiving $12,000 toward college tuition and academic fees.

A Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 graduate has earned a statewide student athlete award! Trevor Condon, who graduated this spring from Etowah High School and helped lead his team to two State Championships, is the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year for Baseball!  

Cherokee County School District students won gold in the statewide Summer Special Olympics, and a team is advancing to the USA Games to compete nationally this month!  Cherokee County Special Olympics’ soccer team earned gold and student athletes earned individual gold medals in cheer, soccer, swimming, and track competitions at the 2026 State Summer Games recently held at Emory University.  

Congratulations to this year’s CCSD Special Education Staff of the Year Award winners honored for their outstanding service to students!  The annual recognition program honors the top employees in four groups of Special Education department staff to celebrate their unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication. 

Two Cherokee County School District students have achieved the rare feat of earning perfect scores on a national exam!  Woodstock High School rising seniors Isla Price and Joshlyn Shi both earned perfect scores on this year’s National Latin Exam.  

A Cherokee County School District student has been selected for a U.S. Department of State-sponsored study abroad program.  Etowah High School rising junior Brady May this August will travel to Germany as part of the CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange) program, a partnership between the State Department and the German government.

A Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 graduate has earned a college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship!  Andrew Lockwood, who graduated this spring from Cherokee High School, is the recipient of a National Merit University of Georgia Scholarship.  

A Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 graduate has earned a national competitive scholarship! Cullen Stacy, who graduated this spring from River Ridge High School, is a recipient of the Mayo Clinic Dependent Scholarship, receiving $12,000 over four years toward college tuition and academic fees.

A Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 graduate has been honored with a scholarship recognizing positive student athletes!  Logan Harmon, who graduated this spring from Cherokee High School, has earned the Britt Kearce Memorial Scholarship announced by Positive Athlete Georgia.

It's CCSD Class of 2026 graduation video download debut day! A big thank-you to our commencement ceremony venue, First Baptist Church Woodstock, for providing our graduates' families with the opportunity to download videos at no cost.

Cherokee County School District students have earned top honors at statewide and regional career competitions with students advancing to national contests this summer!  Through Career and Technical Student Organizations, students expand their classroom Career Pathway program learning by participating in after-school and weekend activities like conferences, competitions and community service.  

Two Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 graduating seniors have earned $25,000 college scholarships from a community foundation. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 winners, Taylor Kallbreier of Etowah High School and Rylie McCormick of Woodstock High School!

A Cherokee County School District student has been named the top U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC cadet in the world!  Congratulations to Etowah High School junior Kane M. Barnard, who has been honored as the 2025–26 AFJROTC Cadet of the Year: the best of the 100,000 students who participate in U.S. Air Force JROTC programs in the nation and internationally.  

Two Cherokee County School District graduating seniors have earned community scholarship awards. Congratulations to Madeleine Blanchard of Etowah High School and Emily Pheifer of Woodstock High School for earning the $2,500 scholarships presented by Towne Lake Academy!  

A Cherokee County School District athletic director has been named best in the region.  Congratulations to Creekview High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Matt Cates, the 2026 Region 6-5A Athletic Director of the Year!  

Cherokee County School District students earned numerous honors at the statewide Science Olympiad including first-place wins!  Top teams from the district competition -- first place, Carmel Elementary School; second place, Avery ES; and third place, Bascomb ES – and students from Hickory Flat ES, Liberty ES and Woodstock ES, advanced to the state competition held this month at Kennesaw State University to test their knowledge and skill in STEM challenges.

A Cherokee High School graduating senior is this year’s winner of the Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship presented by the Cherokee County School District’s School Nutrition Association. Congratulations to John Grauso, who will study communication and media studies at Reinhardt University to pursue a career in the film industry!

Congratulations to Etowah High School junior Dayton Creekmore for earning a spot in the nationally competitive NASA SEES (STEM Enhancement in Earth Science) Summer Internship Program hosted by the University of Texas Center for Space Research in Houston!

Members of Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2026 have committed to military service through service academies, other college military programs, or enlisting.  Congratulations and thank you to these graduates, their families, and our JROTC instructors!

Each month we celebrate a CCSD Female Athlete of the Month and a CCSD Male Athlete of the Month.  Congratulations to this month’s winners: Jillian Waterman of Cherokee High School, state champion for track and field, whose coach is Jamie Evans; and Kamren Kirklen of River Ridge High School’s region champion soccer team, whose coach is Phil Thomas.

Congratulations to the valedictorians and salutatorians for the Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2026!  These outstanding students and their parents will be honored by the School Board and Superintendent of Schools at the Annual Scholar Recognition Banquet this week.  

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

Six Cherokee County School District students have earned aviation scholarships named in honor of two longtime pilots!  The Don Stevens and Bob Burns Memorial Scholarships, awarded by the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, honor students who attend a Cherokee County School District high school and are pursuing a private pilot’s license.  

Two Cherokee County School District student athletes have been honored as the most positive in their sport in the state!  Sequoyah High School junior Addie Kate Beck is the Positive Athlete Georgia winner for Basketball, and Etowah High School senior Grey Davis is the Positive Athlete Georgia winner for Cheerleading.

Two Cherokee County School District schools have earned state honors for outstanding student performance and growth.  Congratulations to River Ridge High School and Knox ES STEM Academy for Greatest Gains recognition by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement’s Single Statewide Accountability System Awards!  

Congratulations to the winners of the Cherokee County School District’s middle school science research contest!  For the 8th Grade Science Review Royale Buzz Blitz, developed in partnership with the Georgia Tech Research Institute, students complete short, inquiry-based challenges by analyzing data, interpreting phenomena, and applying their science understanding.  

Two Cherokee County School District seniors have earned National Merit Scholarships. Grace Dai of Cherokee High School and Aiden Johnson of Creekview High School today were named among the 2,500 graduating seniors nationwide to earn this prestigious honor!  

Cherokee County School District’s high schools have again earned the state’s top honors for outstanding Advanced Placement programs and performance! All six of CCSD’s traditional high schools have been named 2026 AP Honor Schools for exceptional student performance and participation on AP exams.

Fourteen more Cherokee County School District student athletes today signed commitment letters to compete at the college level … bringing this year’s total to 164!  Seniors at River Ridge and Sequoyah High Schools were honored with National Signing Day ceremonies at their high schools to celebrate their signing of National Letters of Intent.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating winners of the fourth annual Sixth-Grade Spring STEM Essay Contest!  Cobb EMC & Gas South, a CCSD Partner, sponsors contests in the fall and spring to recognize student excellence in communicating STEM concepts.

A Cherokee County School District teacher has earned a statewide educator of the year award! Woodstock High School Latin teacher Kellie Jo Baglio is the Georgia Junior Classical League Teacher of the Year!  The League is a statewide academic organization dedicated to promoting the study of Latin and Greek.  

The Cherokee County School District is recognizing 23 outstanding students with Yes I Can Awards!  The awards celebrate the achievements of children with exceptionalities based on achievements during the school year in one or more areas: Academics, Arts, School and Community, Self-Advocacy, and Technology.  

It’s National Nurses Week and each day we’re celebrating one of our 2026 Innovation Zone Nurses of the Year … congratulations to Woodstock Zone winner, Amy Hagan of Carmel Elementary School!  Thank you to all our school nurses for the essential role you play in keeping our students safe and healthy so they can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else. 

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

It’s National Nurses Week and each day we’re celebrating one of our 2026 Innovation Zone Nurses of the Year … congratulations to Sequoyah Zone winner, Erin Maierhofer of Sequoyah High School!  Thank you to all our school nurses for the essential role you play in keeping our students safe and healthy so they can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else. 

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its future educators!  High schools across the country held signing day events as part of National Teacher Appreciation Week to honor graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in education.

It’s National Nurses Week and each day we’re celebrating one of our 2026 Innovation Zone Nurses of the Year … congratulations to River Ridge Zone winner: Chelsie Stehlik of Little River Elementary School!  Thank you to all our school nurses for the essential role you play in keeping our students safe and healthy so they can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else. 

A Cherokee County School District teacher has been named a state education ambassador!  Indian Knoll Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Chelsea Leming, a past CCSD Teacher of the Year and Georgia Teacher of the Year Top 10 finalist, is one of only 20 teachers statewide selected to serve as a Teach in the Peach ambassador. 

It’s National Nurses Week and each day we’re celebrating one of our 2026 Innovation Zone Nurses of the Year … congratulations to Etowah Zone winner: Heather Chappell of E.T. Booth Middle School!  Thank you to all our school nurses for the essential role you play in keeping our students safe and healthy so they can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else.  

Cherokee County School District students earned honors at the state healthcare science career skills competition!  River Ridge High School students in the Career Pathway Healthcare Science program recently competed at the HOSA Future Health Professionals student organization’s State Leadership Conference.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in skilled professions!  The District joined Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative, Cherokee Office of Economic Development, and Chattahoochee Technical College this week to present the annual Skilled Professions Signing Day event held in downtown Woodstock at the Arts Center.  

It’s National Nurses Week and each day we’re celebrating one of our 2026 Innovation Zone Nurses of the Year … congratulations to Creekview Zone winner: Andrea Hamm of Creekview High School!  Thank you to all our school nurses for the essential role you play in keeping our students safe and healthy so they can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else. 

A Cherokee County School District teacher has earned two prestigious awards for outstanding classroom instruction!  Samantha Westerlind, who teaches technology classes at Little River Elementary School, won both the Discovery Education’s Educator of the Year award and the Presidential AI Challenge’s Georgia State Champion Award presented this spring.  

It’s National Nurses Week and each day we’re celebrating one of our 2026 Innovation Zone Nurses of the Year … congratulations to Cherokee Zone winner: Angela Milko of Teasley Middle School!  Thank you to all our school nurses for the essential role you play in keeping our students safe and healthy so they can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else. 

Cherokee County School District student artists earned statewide honors in the PTA Reflections fine arts contest, and three advanced to national competition!

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

Cherokee County School District students earned top honors at the State Social Studies Fair including best in show and a prestigious award!  Students in grades 5-12 can explore an area of social studies -- anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and sociology/psychology -- and complete a research project.

Two Cherokee County School District students are among only 94 students nationwide awarded an Air Force JROTC Flight Academy scholarship to earn a private pilot’s license and college credits this summer. Congratulations to Cherokee High School junior William Tyler and Etowah High School junior Kane Barnard!

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Month! Our 2026 Legacy Makers: CCSD Teachers of the Year Celebration honored the Teacher of the Year for every CCSD school, including four finalists for the top honor. This video features our finalists. Our School Board is laser focused on ensuring our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else -- and our amazing 2,900 teachers make that success happen.

Little River Elementary School is the overall winner of the Cherokee County School District 2026 Elementary School Academic Bowl!  The schools, for the competition, were organized into four leagues, which each also named a winner: League 1, Little River ES; League 2, Carmel ES; League 3, Macedonia ES; League 4, Boston ES.

Cherokee County School District students have earned top honors at a state career skills competition to advance to nationals! Creekview, River Ridge and Woodstock High Schools students competed at the Technology Student Association State Leadership Conference.  

Twelve Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 graduating seniors will be honored this week by the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame! The community organization, a CCSD Partner, every spring recognizes the most outstanding male and female senior athletes from each of CCSD’s six traditional high schools.

Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior – no matter the address, is the feeling that filled the new campus of Cherokee High School in Canton today at its official ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house. The Cherokee County School District today celebrated the new replacement campus for the historic high school with the special event in anticipation of its official opening on Aug. 3 for the first day of school.  

A Cherokee County School District bus driver has earned recognition from the Atlanta Braves based on a student’s nomination! In celebration of national School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, which is today, the Braves teamed up with the Blue Bird Corporation bus company to celebrate bus drivers statewide.  Congratulations to Etowah Zone bus driver Mike Harper!

A Cherokee County School District Class of 2026 senior has earned a National Merit Scholarship. Congratulations to Ian Zeller of Cherokee High School on earning the corporate-sponsored National Merit Emerson Electric Co. Scholarship!

Each month we celebrate a CCSD Female Athlete of the Month and a CCSD Male Athlete of the Month.  Congratulations to this month’s winners: Emma Morris of River Ridge High School for girls lacrosse, whose coach is Cecil Phillips; and Elijah Foote of Cherokee High School for track and field, whose coach is Jamie Evans! 

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

A state sweep! Congratulations to our new state champions: the Creekview High School girls slow-pitch softball team … and runner-up, the Cherokee High School team! Thank you to our coaches, Boosters, and fans who support our teams!

Cherokee High School teachers and support staff were able to visit their new campus after school today, getting a first glimpse of their new classrooms and work spaces to begin planning how they will continue to help students learn more, grow more and achieve more here than they could anywhere else!

Cherokee County School District’s top young singers recently performed with the district’s Elementary School Honor Chorus! The annual program invites 100-plus select students from CCSD elementary schools for a day of learning and performance at Reinhardt University in Waleska.

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

Congratulations to the Cherokee County School District Innovation Zone Coaches of the Year! The awards program begins with the selection of a top coach for each CCSD Innovation Zone based on outstanding leadership, tradition of excellence and contributions to overall school culture and community.  

Congratulations to our students who were honored at the Shuler Awards - Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards last night! Our School Board is laser focused on ensuring our students are learning more, growing more, and achieving more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else.

Sixty-eight more Cherokee County School District student athletes have signed commitment letters to compete at the college level!  Students at Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah, River Ridge, and Woodstock High Schools were honored with ceremonies at their high schools this week to celebrate their signing of National Letters of Intent.  This week’s National Signing Day, the fourth so far this school year, now brings the total number of student athletes celebrated to 150!  

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its Exemplary English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher of the Year and Exemplary English Learner Student of the Year.  Congratulations to 2026 honorees: teacher Danielle Townsend of Johnston Elementary School and River Ridge High School senior Fernando Gonzalez Martinez! 

Cherokee County School District high school students earned state and regional honors in career skills competitions and are advancing to compete internationally. Congratulations to our DECA student marketing, management and entrepreneurship association students from Creekview, River Ridge and Sequoyah High Schools and their teacher sponsors!  

Cherokee County School District students placed at a regional competition, with three advancing to the statewide contest!  The 4-H extra-curricular program, sponsored locally by the UGA Cooperative Extension Office, offers students the opportunity to learn new skills, improve their teamwork and leadership skills, and serve their community.  

Cherokee County School District students tested their STEM knowledge and skills at an annual districtwide competition, with teams now advancing to state competition!  Students from elementary schools throughout CCSD competed in the Cherokee County Science Olympiad, which offered 18 science challenges and the fourth annual CCSD Speed Building Competition.

Top Cherokee County School District young musicians recently performed as part of the Middle School District Honor Band!  The 95 students selected to participate rehearsed together and performed a concert at Dean Rusk Middle School.  

Four Cherokee County School District students won first place in the region and now advance to the statewide Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition!  The annual writing contest is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12 and strengthens literacy by encouraging writing in a variety of genres.

Twelve Cherokee County School District students’ artwork earned display in a statewide art exhibit!

Organized by the Georgia Art Education Association, the Georgia Capitol Art Exhibit is the largest school art competition in the state.  

A Cherokee County School District academic bowl team competed at the state contest! Dean Rusk Middle School, winner of the CCSD Middle School Academic Bowl, advanced to the PAGE Regional Academic Bowl where it won first place!  The team then advanced and competed at the PAGE State Academic Bowl, earning 12th place in Georgia.  

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

Cherokee County School District high school students earned top honors at the statewide literary competition!  The Georgia High Schools Association event includes writing, public speaking, acting and singing competitions, with region winners advancing to the recently held state competition.  

Three Cherokee County School District high school seniors have been selected for the prestigious Georgia Scholar recognition awarded to only 162 seniors statewide.  Congratulations to Creekview High School seniors Aiden Johnson, Mignon Retief, Virginia “Gracie” Sater and their teachers!  

Cherokee County School District students earned honors at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair including several top awards. Congratulations to the honorees and their teacher sponsors!

Cherokee County School District students earned top honors at an annual statewide literary competition, including first-place state reading bowl wins by E.T. Booth Middle School and Etowah High School!  Tome Student Literacy Society is a national student organization dedicated to promoting reading through club activities, community service and competition.  

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

Fourteen Cherokee County School District high school students will continue their learning this summer at the prestigious Georgia Governor’s Honors Program!  The statewide summer honors program for Georgia’s top rising high school juniors and seniors offers four weeks of college-level instruction at Georgia Southern University.  

Cherokee County School District middle schoolers are advancing to a state STEM skills competition!  The annual Georgia Association of Water Professionals’ Model Water Tower Competition, sponsored for CCSD by the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority (CCWSA), gives seventh-graders the opportunity to plan, design and build a water tower.  

Fifteen Cherokee County School District elementary school students won honors at the Georgia K-5 Science and Engineering Fair!  Five won first-place honors and two additionally earned Grand Top 10% awards at the competition held at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.

Seven Cherokee County School District students earned honors at the Georgia Student Technology Competition!  The annual contest invites students in grades 3-12 to create projects in a range of real-world technology industry categories such as animation, multimedia applications, and 3D modeling.  

Cherokee County School Board members today toured the Woodstock High School classroom addition that will open on time and within budget for the start of the new school year in August! 

The Cherokee County School District’s Counselor of the Year is known for delivering extraordinary support of student success.  Hillary Nichols of Cherokee High School was surprised today with the honor she’s the Cherokee County School District 2026 Counselor of the Year and now advances to the statewide competition!

Four Cherokee County School District students earned honors at regional competition and are advancing to the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair!  CCSD middle and high school students competed regionally for the opportunity to vie for top honors at the statewide fair this month at the University of Georgia.  

Eighteen Cherokee County School District high school students earned seats in the prestigious Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Band and Orchestra programs! 

Six Cherokee County School Districts students have achieved Eagle Scout this winter! Congratulations to: Woodstock HS senior Brayden Berry, River Ridge HS ninth-grader Colin Fedoruk, Creekview HS junior Max Hamlin, Creekland MS eighth-grader William Sarks, Woodstock HS senior Jackson Standish, and Mill Creek MS eighth-grader Robert Walker.  

Eight Cherokee County School District students are headed to the State Social Studies Fair! Congratulations to our students who earned first place at the regional competition and now advance to the state contest next month.

Each month we celebrate a CCSD Female Athlete of the Month and a CCSD Male Athlete of the Month.  Congratulations to this month’s winners, both from the Creekview High School wrestling program: two-time state champion Ariel Maicon and state champion Costen Wright; the program’s head coach is Ross Cravens

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

A Cherokee County School District leader has been recognized with a state award honoring her dedication to supporting high school athletics!  Tonya Sebring, district supervisor of student athletics and activities, is the recipient of the Frances Bryan Woman in Athletics Award presented by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association at its annual conference.  

Twenty-four Cherokee County School District elementary school students are advancing to the Georgia K-5 Science and Engineering Fair!

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

Cherokee County School District high school students have increased their success in college-level courses to a new record high!  More CCSD students passed Advanced Placement (AP) exams, which earn them college credit at most state colleges and universities, with the rate increasing to 85.1% this past spring, up from 82.8% the previous year, according to newly released results. 

Congratulations to E.T. Booth MS eighth-grader Miller Inthirathvongsy, the winner of our CCSD Spelling Bee, who won the regional bee and now advances to the state bee later this month!

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis to consider how we can strengthen the alignment and clarity for the school district from the board room to the classroom. Today’s visit was to ACTIVE Academies, led by Principal Adam Johnson.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Cherokee County School District Reading Bowl!  Indian Knoll Elementary School earned first place in the elementary school competition, with Little River ES placing second and Arnold Mill ES winning third. 

The Cherokee County School District is on a mission to be the highest-performing school district in Georgia, and the CCSD Recruitment Ambassadors play an important role in this success by helping the district hire the best teachers possible!

The Holly Springs Optimist Club on Monday honored CCSD students and staff at its annual Middle School Awards breakfast, which recognizes outstanding special needs students and their supportive teachers and staff.

It’s Read Across America Week! As part of the nationwide reading event that coincides with Dr. Seuss’s birthday, our schools are hosting special activities like guest readers - including our School Board members and Superintendent of Schools .

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

The Cherokee County School District’s top high school musicians recently performed as part of the regional District Honor Band!  The 83 students selected to participate represent all of CCSD’s high school band programs.

Eight Cherokee County School District high school seniors are 2026 National Merit Scholarship Finalists!  They are: of Cherokee High School, Grace Dai, Andrew Lockwood, and Ian Zeller; of Creekview High School, Levi Cone and Aiden Johnson; of Etowah High School, Dylan Fallin; and of Sequoyah High School, Matthew Chemmala, and Riley O'Neill.  

Mill Creek Middle School’s media center is a magical place, according to its principal, and the reason is its amazing library media specialist.  “Kim is truly the heart of her library, fostering positive and meaningful relationships with both students and teachers,” Principal Justin Sanderson said.

Cherokee County School District students are advancing to the regional level of the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition!  The annual statewide writing contest is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12 and strengthens literacy by encouraging writing in a variety of genres.  

Each month we celebrate a CCSD Female Athlete of the Month and a CCSD Male Athlete of the Month. Congratulations to this month’s winners: Finley Parker of the River Ridge High School girls basketball team, whose head coach is Jason Taylor, and Braylon Luster of the Cherokee High School boys basketball team, whose head coach is Joe Veihman.

“I attribute our success to providing consistency, balanced autonomy, and improved school and community culture,” Woodstock Middle School Principal Ken Nix said of their formula to creating an environment where their talented and dedicated teachers and support staff can thrive.  

“Our Progress and Closing the Gaps scores show that we are scrutinizing data sets and having hard conversations to better know and grow all our kids,” Woodstock High School Principal Charley Ingham said of their success, attributing it to their team of talented and dedicated teachers, support staff, and administrators.  

Congratulations to Woodstock Elementary School’s teachers and staff on their successes!  The team adjusts instructional practices and creates engaging classrooms where students love to learn.  

“I attribute our success to our teachers doing the hard work every day, the work our academic coaches do in our professional learning communities, the facilitators of those groups focusing on standards-based analysis and planning with their teams, and our assistant principals attending, participating in and supporting those teams,” Teasley Middle School Principal Kathie Monti said.  

“One of the most impressive successes is the Progress our students made in academic growth.  This is due to the intentional and diligent work of teachers in their professional learning communities, the students in setting individual goals, and the work of those who developed the process and procedures put in place before this year, as well as a renewed emphasis on prioritizing instructional time,” Sixes Elementary School Principal Dr. Ginger Morgan said. 

“The success at Sequoyah High School is a direct reflection of the dedicated work of the teachers in the classrooms, the support staff helping to take away obstacles, and the administration working daily to create a culture of success,” Sequoyah High School Principal Robert VanAlstyne said.  

“The success at River Ridge is attributed to the work of our staff with our students,” River Ridge High School Principal Todd Miller said.  “However, this would not be possible without the collaboration of our district.”  

“I attribute our success to our hard-working teachers who use data to make informed decisions when lesson planning and planning for targeted intervention, our office staff who support teachers and protect classrooms from interruptions, and our assistant principals for supporting teachers and providing thoughtful, meaningful feedback to them,” R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy Principal Kim Moody said.  

“Our victories are attributed to the resilience of our teachers and staff,” Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy Principal Jennifer Williams said.  

“Mountain Road has amazing staff.  I love that teachers are willing to do what it takes to teach students,” Mountain Road Elementary School Principal Dr. Leah Bleisath said.  “This is evident with our Progress score!  I am proud of our teachers stepping out of their comfort zone and learning more through professional development and professional learning communities to support individualized learning.”  

“I attribute our success to a competitive buy-in from our teachers and students,” Mill Creek Middle School Principal Justin Sanderson said.  “Our school leadership team feels they have a voice and their input matters.” 

“I attribute our success to our teachers.  They have made the shift to owning our students’ success,” Macedonia Elementary School Principal Dr. Carrie O’Bryant said.  “Each team has determined what their students need and led the charge to grow their students.  The teachers have adopted our expectations and truly made it their own.”  

“I attribute our success to our dedicated and passionate teachers and staff; our building leadership team, and the foundation set at the beginning of the year; and our clarity – what we are doing as a district and our formula,” Little River Elementary School Principal Dr. Joni Adams said.

“I attribute our Progress success to our teacher teams -- their commitment to collaboratively creating plans to support all students.  They are continuously monitoring the mastery of their students and closing gaps when evident,” Liberty Elementary School Principal Dr. Sandi Harrison said.  “I am also thankful for the Core Beliefs we co-created that are driving meaningful reflection and collective next steps.” 

“We are so proud of the planning and work that our teachers have diligently put forth to help students learn more, grow more, and achieve more,” Knox ES STEM Academy Principal Debbie Ritter said. 

“I attribute Johnston’s success to the dedicated teachers who work with our students every day and to the staff members and community who support them in their efforts,” Johnston Elementary School Principal Dr. Lori Etheridge said. 

The Cherokee County School District erg indoor rowing team earned regional and national honors! The CCSD Erg Sprint Team earned 16 region honors and four U.S. Rowing Indoor National Championships medals at the Atlanta Erg Sprints held this month at Georgia Tech.

A Cherokee County School District student has earned the Girl Scouts Gold Award!  Congratulations to Sequoyah High School senior Angelina Miller of Troop 14611, who earned the award this school year for her “Take A Seat” project.  

Indian Knoll Elementary School Principal Erica Morrie praised her teachers’ talent and dedication for their students’ 6.6-point increase in Content Mastery for science and can’t wait to see how they’ll elevate the excellence further this year. 

“Our academic growth in Content Mastery makes me the most proud, and this is directly a result of our teachers,” i-Grad Virtual Academy Principal Adam Johnson said.  “Learning to engage online learners and creating highly impactful content that keeps the student-centered approach is challenging in an online environment.  Our teachers embraced and committed to creating customized content because they know it is best for kids, and the results showed their dedication.” 

Forty-one Cherokee County School District students are advancing to the Georgia Student Technology Competition!  CCSD students earned the opportunity to compete in the statewide event next month by winning first place in the recently held Piedmont Regional Technology Competition.

“I attribute our success to building the leadership ladder for our teachers,” Holly Springs ES STEM Academy Principal Ashley Polito said.  “We have many ‘mini coaches’ who are elevating the excellence everywhere.” 

“Our students are learning so much from our teachers at Hickory Flat!  This is attributed to a common and consistent vision in our school and school district,” Hickory Flat Elementary School Principal Kerry Estep said.  “We all want our students to achieve, and the vision is clear!” 

“Our teachers’ dedication, tenacity, and their belief in our students has greatly attributed to our success,” Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy Principal Dr. Maria Rosario-Regan said.  “I am proud that, as a Title I school, we are a top performer in Progress.” 

Student Delegates to the School Board serve for one school year to give valued input and feedback to the School Board and Superintendent of Schools in our mission to become the highest performing school district in Georgia! 

“The growth at Freedom is the direct result of the work of the teachers and students,” Freedom Middle School Principal Dr. Chad Flatt said.  “They push hard to learn and grow each day.  Their work is amazing and bolstered by the support staff of the front office, custodians, and cafeteria.”

“Our teachers, students, and all support staff are working hard,” Free Home Elementary School Principal Julie Peppers said.  “I am very proud of how we looked at the data as a school, then broke it down by grade levels and set goals.  Our students also took ownership of their success with personal goal setting.” 

Etowah High School Principal Robert Horn attributes the school’s success to its students’ determination and its talented and dedicated teachers, supported by instructional coaches, assistant principals, and support staff, and the school’s strong parent and family community. 

Fifty-five Cherokee County School District high school and middle school students earned seats in the prestigious Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Chorus programs! 

“I am proud of all the hard work my community has put in,” E.T. Booth Middle School Principal Todd Sharrock said.  “My teachers are rockstars, my instructional coach is amazing, and my students and parents are the best.  I also could not ask for a better administrative team and support staff to help me every day!” 

Three Cherokee County School District teams competed at the statewide First LEGO League robotics contest!  Congratulations to R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy’s Arrowheads team and Dean Rusk Middle School’s Brick Navy and Brick Army teams.

“We are most proud of our increase in every area!  We attribute that success to the efforts of our staff, especially our teachers, and the efforts of our students,” Dean Rusk Middle School Principal Dawn Weinbaum said.  “Our focus on high impact strategies contribute to our academic success.” 

“I attribute this success to our teachers for embracing high expectations, our instructional leadership team, our instructional coach and the professional development she has implemented throughout the year, and our administrative team and its involvement in our teacher Professional Learning Community meetings,” Creekview High School Principal Mark Vance said. 

“It shows how important each teacher is to the success of all students,” Creekland Middle School Matthew May said, pointing to both the 4.4-point increase in Content Mastery for students overall and the 24.3-point increase in Progress for English Learners. 

“I attribute this success to the relationships our teachers build with each student,” Clayton Elementary School Principal Valerie Lowery said.  “They get to know their students so very well and reach them through ways individualized just for them.  I am so proud of this success as we continue to work to be the best!”  

“Student work, teachers, teacher leaders, administrative team, academic coaches, support staff, district support staff, our stakeholders – everyone!” Clark Creek ES STEM Academy Principal Joey Moss said of the team responsible for the school’s success.  “We’re so proud and excited.” 

“As a core value of the district, progress serves as the best way to measure improvements,” Cherokee High School Principal Andy Hall said.  “To have students and staff focus on progress spurs a continual desire for improvement and for reflection on how to improve.  I’m proud of our team for dedication to that progress.” 

It’s National School Counseling Week … and the perfect time to celebrate our newly named 2026 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners!  We value our school counselors’ unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication in their role to ensure our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else. 

It’s National School Counseling Week … and the perfect time to celebrate our newly named 2026 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners!  We value our school counselors’ unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication in their role to ensure our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else. 

The Cherokee County School District on Thursday night celebrated 192 outstanding high school students as 2026 Superintendent’s Key Scholars!  

“I attribute our success to teachers and to being intentional in looking at data, not just at the surface … and making quick actionable steps and changes,” Carmel Elementary School Principal Lisa Rich said. 

The Cherokee County School District today surprised four teachers with the news they are finalists for the 2026 CCSD Teacher of the Year award!

“I attribute our success to the dedication of our teachers, the pursuit of excellence by our students, and the support of leaders, families, and support staff,” Boston Elementary School Principal Dr. Celeice Hood said. 

It’s National School Counseling Week … and the perfect time to celebrate our newly named 2026 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners!  We value our school counselors’ unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication in their role to ensure our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else. 

“Our teachers are the heart of our schools, and our support staff are the heartbeat,” Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis said as she kicked off our annual CCSD Support Staff Employees of the Year celebration, recognizing honorees selected by each of our schools, centers and central office divisions. 

Congratulations to the Cherokee County School District’s 2026 STAR Students and Teachers!  The STAR, or Student Teacher Achievement Recognition, Student honor is awarded to the high school senior from each Georgia public and private high school with the highest score on any single test date of the SAT and who also ranks in the top tier of their class for GPA.

Bascomb Elementary School Principal Dr. Carolyn Daugherty attributes the school’s success to its talented and dedicated teachers, supported by instructional coaches, assistant principals, and support staff. 

Twenty-six more Cherokee County School District student athletes have signed commitment letters to compete at the college level!  This week’s National Signing Day, the third so far this school year, now brings the total number of student athletes celebrated to 82!

“Our school has worked collectively to understand how data supports our work to increase effectiveness of instructional strategies within every classroom with every student,” Ball Ground ES STEM Academy Principal Melinda Roulier said.  “Data is an important piece of the puzzle that guides our work to provide each student the best opportunity to perform at their max potential.” 

It’s National School Counseling Week … and the perfect time to celebrate our newly named 2026 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners!  We value our school counselors’ unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication in their role to ensure our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else. 

Cherokee County School District students won gold in the Special Olympics 2026 State Indoor Winter Games!  The unified basketball, traditional basketball, ramp bowling, and traditional bowling teams all earned gold medals at the statewide competition recently held in Cobb County.  

“Avery’s success is attributed to the solid instructional practices of our teachers,” Avery Elementary School Principal Dr. Lisa Turner said. Congratulations to Avery ES for its impressive 97.0 score for Progress (up almost 5 points from last year) and scores above 90 in Content Mastery and Readiness – verifying that students are learning more and growing more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else -- on Georgia’s College and Career Ready Performance Index statewide accountability system. 

Congratulations to the Cherokee County School District middle school basketball regular season and tournament champions!

“This success is a testament to our teachers stepping up to implement school improvement strategies,” Arnold Mill Elementary School Principal Dan Fuller said.  Congratulations to Arnold Mill ES for its amazing 14.7-point increase in Progress (up to a 96.5) and increases in Content Mastery and Readiness – verifying that students are learning more and growing more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else -- on Georgia’s College and Career Ready Performance Index statewide accountability system. 

It’s National School Counseling Week … and the perfect time to celebrate our newly named 2026 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners!  We value our school counselors’ unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication in their role to ensure our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else. 

More than 500 CCSD female athletes gathered Monday to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and recognize the positive impact and great opportunities provided by the school district’s elite athletic programs. 

It’s National School Counseling Week … and the perfect time to celebrate our newly named 2026 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners!  We value our school counselors’ unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication in their role to ensure our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else. 

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched! 

CCSD’s Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) handbook, “Focus on the Future,” will be going home with 8th graders this month as they prepare to register for their high school classes. 

“Apostrophe” was the winning word for an E.T. Booth Middle School student at the 2026 Cherokee County School District Spelling Bee!  Eighth-grader Miller Inthirathvongsy placed first in the competition held this week at Cherokee High School.  Arnold Mill ES fourth-grader Vanya Singh earned second place; Sixes ES fifth-grader Griffin Mincey, third place; and Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy fourth-grader Mac Wells, fourth place.

The Cherokee County School District has started a new tradition: an annual erg indoor rowing competition!  The special event, which gave middle school students the opportunity to compete for individual and team medals, is the latest success for a PE program started in 2023 with a nationally competitive grant.

Each month we celebrate a CCSD Female Athlete of the Month and a CCSD Male Athlete of the Month.  Congratulations to this month’s winners: Sarah Vehar of the Sequoyah High School wrestling team, whose coaches are Jacob Hewgley and Joe Hulen; and Josh Schulze of the Woodstock High School basketball team, whose head coach is Eric Blair.

Student Delegates to the School Board serve for one school year to give valued input and feedback to the School Board and Superintendent of Schools in our mission to become the highest performing school district in Georgia! 

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis to consider how we can strengthen the alignment and clarity for the school district from the board room to the classroom.

A Cherokee County School District student is a regional essay contest winner!  Woodstock Middle School seventh-grader Eden Amosa is the Cherokee County winner and the regional runner-up for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s 24th annual essay contest open to all metro Atlanta middle schoolers.

A Cherokee County School District team earned honors at the regional First LEGO League robotics competition to advance to super regionals!  R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy’s Arrowheads team earned the Champions trophy at regionals to move on to the super regionals event next month.  Dean Rusk Middle School’s Brick Navy team won the Core Values award, and its Brick Army team earned the Robot Design award.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating winners of the fourth annual Sixth-Grade Fall STEM Essay Contest!  Cobb EMC & Gas South, a CCSD Partner, sponsors two contests every school year – one in the fall and one in the spring - to recognize student excellence in communicating STEM concepts.  The top essays from each school earn their writers cash prizes.  

A Cherokee County School District student has placed in a statewide art contest!  Cherokee High School senior Grace Dai earned second place in the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Art Contest. 

The 4th annual CCSD Elementary School Math Competition drew several hundred young mathematicians to the event on Saturday at Freedom Middle School where students put their ciphering skills to the test in individual and team competitions.

As part of its approval of the monthly human resources employment recommendations, the School Board on Thursday appointed new district staff and a new assistant principal for Etowah High School.

We celebrated Carmel Elementary School today for being named a National ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Distinguished School! 

State Superintendent of Schools Richards Woods today visited Avery Elementary School to celebrate the outstanding “farm to school” work by our CCSD School Nutrition team that brings fresh produce to our cafeterias each day.

A Cherokee County School District school has earned a national honor for academic excellence!  Carmel Elementary School has been honored as a National ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Distinguished School!  

Cherokee County School District’s top young singers recently performed with the districtwide Middle School Honor Chorus!  The annual program this fall invited 133 select students, including students from each of CCSD’s middle schools, for a day of learning and performance at River Ridge High School.

Sixteen Cherokee County School District schools have earned statewide honors in recognition of exceptional student success in mastering core academic skills!  The Literacy Leader and Math Leader honors recognize schools for exceptional student achievement, growth, or both on the annual Georgia Milestones Assessment end-of-grade or end-of-course assessments.  

The Holly Springs Optimist Club today honored eight CCSD students, along with an outstanding teacher and a paraprofessional at its annual High School Awards breakfast, which recognizes outstanding special needs students and their supportive teachers and staff. 

The Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2025 ACT scores increased and topped national and state averages!  The class earned an outstanding 22.8 average, up from 22.5 last year and exceeding Georgia’s 21.4 (up from 21.2) and the Nation’s 19.4 steady average on the competitive college entrance and placement examination, according to a report released today by the Georgia Department of Education.

A Sixes Elementary School dad is the winner of this year’s annual CCSD School Nutrition Parent Recipe Contest! Congratulations to Philip Lombardi, dad of second-grader Liam and kindergartner Luke, who earned the top prize for his Apple Harvest Parfait.  His recipe was enjoyed by students across CCSD today as part of the celebration.  

The Cherokee County School District celebrated school nurses today with the presentation of the fifth annual CCSD School Nurse of the Year Awards! Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis today presented the 2025 CCSD School Nurse of the Year award to Renée Michael of Holly Springs ES STEM Academy.

The Cherokee County School District Superintendent’s Middle School Student Advisory Board met today for its first meeting of the school year!  

The new playground at Johnston Elementary School was dedicated in honor of late longtime Principal Laura Akers this afternoon, with a crowd of family, friends and coworkers present for the occasion, along with CCSD Leadership team members, School Board Chair Janet Read Welch and board members Kelly Poole and Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, and Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis.

Cherokee County School District’s SAT scores for the Class of 2025 increased and continue to top national and statewide results!  The CCSD Class of 2025 earned an average total score of 1085 on the curriculum-based college entrance and placement exam, according to results released today by the College Board.  The 2025 score is an increase from 1083 in 2024 and further widens CCSD’s margin over the national public school average by 89 points and the state by 56 points.  

The Cherokee County School District’s graduation rate for the Class of 2025 topped the state average, with three schools exceeding 95%!  The CCSD four-year graduation rate is 91.8%, according to a new report from the Georgia Department of Education released today, exceeding the state average of 87.2% by nearly 5%.

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community. 

A Cherokee County School District parent has been named to the state school superintendent’s advisory council!  Longtime PTA leader Audrey Legrand was selected by State School Superintendent Richard Woods to serve a two-year term on his Parent Advisory Council.

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community. 

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community. 

Eight Cherokee County School District high school seniors today were named 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists!  They are: of Cherokee High School, Grace Dai, Andrew Lockwood, and Ian Zeller; of Creekview High School, Levi Cone; of Etowah High School, Dylan Fallin; and of Sequoyah High School, Matthew Chemmala, and Riley O'Neill.  Congratulations to our honored students and their teachers and thank you to our School Board for its investment in ensuring our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else!

The Cherokee County School Board this week will recognize its new class of Student Delegates!  Student Delegates to the School Board serve for one school year to give input and feedback to the School Board and Superintendent of Schools. 

A Cherokee County School District school nurse and volunteers have been honored by the Georgia PTA with top statewide awards for outstanding service to students and their families!  The awards were presented at the organization’s recent statewide convention.  Congratulations to our winners and thank you for your service, thank you to the PTA for its support of our students, educators and schools, and thank you to our School Board for its longtime partnership with PTA!

Our School Board members greeted students this morning at Cherokee High School to celebrate the "last first day" at the original campus, handing out commemorative magnets to mark the milestone. This will be the last school year at the 1956 facility, with the new Cherokee High School on track to open for 2026-27, thanks to Ed SPLOST funding.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating the winners of its third annual School Nutrition Team of the Year awards!  R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy is the elementary division winner, and E.T. Middle School is the middle school/high school/center division winner of the program, which gives school cafeteria teams the opportunity to win prizes by improving their service to students, teachers, and staff.

One of several capital improvement projects underway this summer is the new driveway at Teasley Middle School. 

The Cherokee High School administration team got its first peek inside their new school facility last week, with an afternoon tour led by CCSD Support Services. Wearing hard hats -- and very comfortable shoes -- the CHS crew was able to see office space, CTAE classrooms, the media center, classroom wings and more.

The Cherokee County School District and School Board celebrated the Class of 2025 Valedictorians and Salutatorians at its 24th Annual Scholar Recognition Banquet.  The special event on Wednesday evening was attended by the Scholars and their parents; the teacher each scholar chose as the most influential in his or her education; CCSD’s high school Principals; Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis and her senior staff; and the School Board.

Two Cherokee County School District Class of 2025 seniors have been named candidates for a top national honor!  Cherokee High School senior Elliana Mathews and River Ridge High School senior Alfred Tang are among only 4,000 students selected as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program from the more than 3 million graduating seniors in the nation’s Class of 2025.  Only 216 students from Georgia were recognized with this prestigious honor.

For the second year in a row, Woodstock High School is home to the Cherokee County School District’s top media specialist: Jennifer Cogdill!  Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis today visited the media center to surprise Ms. Cogdill with the news she is the Cherokee County School District’s Library Media Specialist of the Year in recognition of her professional excellence.  She now advances to represent CCSD in the regional competition, from which she could move on to the state contest. 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, appointed a new board member to fill a vacancy created by retirement and voted to maintain local control of school funding decision-making by opting out of statewide legislation.

Congratulations to the Cherokee County School District’s 2025 STAR Students and Teachers!  The STAR, or Student Teacher Achievement Recognition, Student honor is awarded to the high school senior from each Georgia public and private high school with the highest score on any single test date of the SAT and who also ranks in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of his or her class based on grade point average.  Each honored student is invited to select his or her favorite teacher to be named that school’s STAR Teacher.

The Cherokee County School District today surprised four teachers with the news they are finalists for the 2025 CCSD Teacher of the Year award!  Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis visited their classrooms to announce that the judging committee selected them as the top teachers of all CCSD schools’ and centers’ Teachers of the Year.  

Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis today spoke at the 2025 “State of the County” program.  The regional Council for Quality Growth nonprofit group organizes the annual luncheon.  

Cherokee County School District theatre programs and students earned top honors at regional One Act Play competitions, with one show advancing to a state performance event!

Cherokee County School District high school students have increased their success in college-level courses, earning international honors for their schools.  CCSD students raised their overall Advanced Placement (AP) exam average score to 3.6, up from 3.4, this past spring, according to a new report from the College Board, while also increasing participation, with 6,955 exams completed, up from 6,091.  

The Cherokee County School District celebrated the important role of support staff at its Seventh Annual Support Staff Employees of the Year Awards this evening.

We appreciate the support of our partners and the difference they are making in our schools! Does your business or organization partner with a CCSD school? Visit our School Partnerships webpage (https://www.cherokeek12.net/partners) to learn more! #CCSDPartnersInAction #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2024 ACT scores topped national and state averages!

In honor of National School Custodian Day, we’re recognizing one of our high school head custodians each day.  Please join us in thanking them for all they do to keep our schools safe and clean for our students, teachers and staff, volunteers, and visitors!

Cherokee County School District’s SAT scores continue to top statewide and national results, according to results released today by the College Board.

A Cherokee County School District student is being recognized by the National Down Syndrome Society.  Creekview High School sophomore Aniya Grace Symone Lott is among 500 children, teens and adults selected from across the country to be highlighted in the organization’s video presentation on Saturday in New York City’s Time Square.  

A Cherokee County School District career education program has received national recognition for excellence!

The Cherokee County School Board this week will recognizes its new class of Student Delegates!

The Cherokee County School District today rose to new heights with a major milestone in the construction of the new Cherokee High School.

The Cherokee County School District on Tuesday celebrated a milestone in the construction of the new home for Free Home Elementary School!

We are proud of our CCSD alums and the great things they are accomplishing! We will be sharing some of our #CCSDNotables with you throughout the year. #CCSDfam

Within the Pathway, classes offered include: introduction to software technology, computer science principles or AP Computer Science Principles and web development.  Students can earn Microsoft Office Specialist and Certified Internet Web Professional industry certifications and can compete with the school’s TSA (Technology Student Association), First Robotics of Georgia and Skills USA teams in regional, state and national career competitions.

The Cherokee County School District’s fifth annual VILLA Program, which encourages and celebrates parent engagement, graduated a new class this month.

The Cherokee County School Board at its Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 meeting approved plans to expand a school and heard important budget updates.

CCSD and partner Discovery Ed this week celebrated the Cognia STEM accreditation status achieved by 11 of its schools, including all seven middle schools. Discovery Ed has been working with CCSD the past three years to focus on STEM, providing essential professional development and resources for the district. 

The Cherokee County School Board at its Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 regular meeting welcomed its new Student Advisor and Student Delegates for the school year!

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, June 16, 2023 approved a budget for next school year that improves teacher and support staff compensation and keeps class sizes low without a millage rate increase.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, May 18, 2023 reviewed the proposed budget for next school year, which increases salaries for teachers and support staff, and approved the construction contract for the new replacement Cherokee High School campus.

The Cherokee County School District has earned international recognition for its STEM programs!

The school district has worked for more than a year to gain STEM certification for 11 of its schools from Cognia, the international educational organization that accredits CCSD as a whole.

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Veterinary Science and Equine Science, with both programs offered at Creekview High School and the former offered at Etowah High School.  

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Plant and Floral Design Systems and Companion Animal Systems, which is offered at Etowah High School.  Five different agriculture Career Pathway programs are available in CCSD high schools. 

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Navy JROTC - Government and Public Administration, which is offered at Woodstock High School.  Three different JROTC programs are available in CCSD high schools.  CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Agriculture - Plant & Floriculture Systems, which is offered at Cherokee High School.  Five different agriculture Career Pathway programs are available in CCSD high schools.

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Healthcare Science: Therapeutic Services - Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology.  Sports Medicine is offered at Cherokee, Creekview and Etowah HS; Exercise Physiology also is offered at Etowah HS.  Five different Healthcare Science programs are available in CCSD high schools.  CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

Within the Pathway, classes offered include: automotive technology I, II and III.  Students can earn Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and OSHA 10 industry certifications.  They can compete in SkillsUSA state and national career skills contests. This Pathway prepares students for careers including, but not limited to: automotive master mechanic, automotive specialty technician, engine and other machine assembler, automotive technician builder, automotive general manager, automotive inventory control specialist, service manager, automotive parts associate.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 approved the construction contract for the new replacement Free Home Elementary School and appointed several new leaders for next school year.

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Air Force JROTC - Government and Public Administration, which is offered at Cherokee HS, Etowah HS, River Ridge HS and Sequoyah HS, with other JROTC Pathways also offered at Creekview HS (Army) and Woodstock HS (Navy).  The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Healthcare Science - Therapeutic Services and Allied Health and Medicine, which is offered at Creekview and Etowah High Schools.  The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Law Enforcement Services and Criminal Investigations, which is offered at Woodstock and Etowah High Schools.  The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, welcomed two new members to the board.

Newly elected District 5 member Erin Ragsdale of Towne Lake and District 6 member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison of Canton were sworn into office at the start of the board’s regular meeting.  Two members whose terms were up for renewal and were reelected also took their oath: District 3 member John Harmon of Hickory Flat and District 4 member Robert “Rick Steiner” Rechsteiner of southwest Cherokee.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Cybersecurity, which is offered at the Cherokee College & Career Academy that is open to all CCSD high school students …

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Early Childhood Education, which is offered at Cherokee HS and Woodstock HS.  The Teaching as a Profession Career Pathway is offered at Creekview HS, River Ridge HS and Sequoyah HS.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Fire and Emergency Services and Firefighting, which is offered at Woodstock High School … 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Dec. 15, at its last meeting of 2022 celebrated several retiring leaders and appointed new assistant principals.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Agriculture Mechanics Systems offered at Creekview High School … 

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Engineering and Technology, which is offered at Cherokee, Creekview, River Ridge and Woodstock High Schools …

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Transportation: Collision Repair - Painting and Refinishing, which is offered at Etowah High School, with Cherokee HS and Sequoyah HS offering other automotive programs …

The Cherokee County School District’s fourth annual VILLA Program, which encourages and celebrates parent engagement, has graduated a new class!

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 approved mid-year bonuses for teachers and support staff and heard plans to increase salaries for next school year.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower proposed the one-time supplemental payments of $1,000 for eligible full-time employees and $500 permanent part-time employees, which will be issued in this month’s paychecks, to show appreciation for their continued service.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Graphic Design and Graphic Communications, which is offered at Woodstock HS and Creekview HS …

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Flight Operations, which is new to CCSD this year and offered at the Cherokee College & Career Academy (C3) …  

The sky’s the limit for a new Cherokee County School District high school Career Pathway program offering students the opportunity to explore careers in flight.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Nutrition and Food Science, which is available at all CCSD high schools …

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Healthcare Science - Therapeutic Services and Patient Care, which is offered at Cherokee HS and Sequoyah HS during the school day and after school at River Ridge HS through a dual enrollment program with Chattahoochee Technical College.  

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, approved the next step for construction of a new campus for Cherokee High School.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Marketing and Management, which is offered at Creekview HS and Sequoyah HS …

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Teaching as a Profession, which is offered at Creekview HS, River Ridge HS and Sequoyah HS …

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Computer Science - Cloud Computing, which is offered at Woodstock HS and Etowah HS …

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on welding, which is offered at Cherokee High School and, new for this school year, also is offered at Creekview HS as an after-school dual enrollment program with Chattahoochee Technical College.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday approved the annual school improvement plans for all CCSD schools.

As part of the district’s plan to continuously improve schools, every school is required to prepare an improvement plan for each new school year.  

Every school is required, as part of its plan, to establish two three-year specific measurable goals to improve student achievement.  The plan must include research-based strategies addressing student learning at all learning levels, teacher professional development plans, timelines for student learning intervention strategies and explain how student learning progression will be monitored and measured.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Engineering Drafting and Design and Architectural Drafting and Design, which is offered at Sequoyah High School and Etowah High School.

The Cherokee County School District has earned international recognition for excellence in education!

The district is one of only 38 school districts in the world to today be named a 2022 Cognia School System of Distinction by the international accreditation organization.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on the Law Enforcement Services and Forensic Science program, which is offered at Cherokee HS, Creekview HS and River Ridge HS.

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on the Health Science: Diagnostics/Clinical Lab program offered at River Ridge High School, which is one of five different Healthcare Science Career Pathway programs available in CCSD schools. 

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on the Construction and Carpentry program, which is offered at Etowah and Cherokee High Schools:

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday evening welcomed its new Student Advisor and Student Delegates for the school year!

The School Board has included a Student Advisor position on its board since 1999, and, for the past 11 years, a Student Delegate from each high school also has been selected.  

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on the Arts, A/V Technology and Communications program, which is offered at all CCSD high schools:  

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday night approved the first step to sell two properties to the county government.

The intergovernmental agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Cherokee County government will allow both sides to proceed with the sale of the former Tippens Elementary School in Canton as well as unused acreage on Hunt Road near Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy.

Cherokee County School District students for the seventh consecutive year exceeded State averages on the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests, with significant gains on most tests. 

The annual tests assess students’ mastery of Georgia Performance Standards, which set expectations for what lessons students will learn in each grade.  Teachers and administrators use the results to improve instructional best practices.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday night approved the budget for next school year, which calls for a tax rate reduction, increased investment in school safety and pay raises for teachers and support staff.

The 1.5 mills decrease in the tax rate, which was unanimously approved, is the first reduction proposed since 2014 and was prompted by the rise in property values.  While most homeowners will see an increase in their tax bill due to their property value rising, the increase will be less due to the School Board’s action.   

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday night reviewed the proposed budget for next school year, which calls for a reduction in the tax rate for all property owners and well-deserved pay increases for teachers and support staff.

The proposed 1.5 mills decrease in the tax rate is the first reduction proposed since 2014 and has been recommended by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower in light of rising home values.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday heard good news about the school district’s financial outlook due to increasing home values and discussed ways to reduce the burden on taxpayers, while also using some of the windfall to make teacher and staff pay more competitive.

Oak Grove Elementary School STEAM Academy celebrated the news of its State STEAM certification on Monday with cake, snacks, balloons and beads, as well as party horns—to blow off STEAM! Oak Grove is the first STEAM certified school in Cherokee County.

The Cherokee County School District received excellent news today: the district’s international accreditation as a high-quality school system is recommended for renewal for another five years!

“Accreditation is the gold standard for school districts – it provides independent assurance to parents, employees and taxpayers as to the excellence of their public schools,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “I’m incredibly proud of the work that all of our employees do every day to provide the best possible education and care to each of our students.  Thank you to the amazing parent volunteers and business and community partners who support us.  None of this would be possible without the outstanding leadership of our School Board, its vision for our future and its strong stewardship of the resources entrusted to them by our community.”

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, March 17, 2022 approved a budget amendment to accept state funding for eligible part-time and full-time staff to receive a one-time bonus and appointed new school leaders for next school year. 

The Cherokee County School District has successfully completed the first step of accreditation renewal, with the process accomplished last week for its Pre-K program!

Accreditation is the highest level of overall accountability for school systems.  The independent review assesses not only success in teaching, but also governance and stewardship of taxpayer resources.  The school district’s accreditation by Cognia, which is considered the top accreditation organization in the world by both public and private schools and school systems, colleges and universities, is up for its five-year review this month. 

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 17, heard an update on CCSD’s student support services efforts including suicide prevention.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Jan. 13, reviewed a progress report on accomplishing Blueprint strategic plan goals and heard operational updates including the planned expansion of CCSD’s school choice program.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Nov. 18, approved its 2022 Legislative Partnership Priorities, which advocate for continued local control of public education decisions and the end of State educational funding budget cuts.

The Cherokee County School Board at its Thursday, Oct. 21 work session, reviewed projects proposed for the Education Special Purpose Location Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) renewal up for a vote on Nov. 2, with Early Voting now underway.

The Cherokee County School District has been named a finalist for the 2021 Governance Team of the Year Award presented by the Georgia School Boards Association!
 
Three awards are presented annually to recognize top School Boards and Superintendents of Schools for outstanding leadership and dedication to continuous improvement.  One winner is selected in three categories based on school district enrollment: small, 1-3,000 students; medium, 3,001-10,000 students; and large, 10,000+ students.  

The Cherokee County School Board at its strategic work session on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 heard an opening of school report, including efforts being made to maintain in-person school operations.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower and his staff presented the School Board with an update on the opening, both highlighting news like enrollment growth and the Governor’s visit, and addressing COVID-19’s impact on staffing and implemented solutions. 

The Cherokee County School Board at its meeting on Thursday, July 15, 2021 took the following action:

• Approved the monthly personnel report, which included the appointment of Adam Johnson, a 13-year CCSD teacher who has taught and coached track at Cherokee High School, as a new assistant principal at Woodstock High School;

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, June 17, 2021 unanimously approved its budget for next school year, which is balanced without a tax rate increase and includes hiring 125 new teachers above and beyond enrollment growth to help bridge any pandemic-related learning opportunity losses.  

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday reviewed the recommended budget for next school year, which includes hiring more teachers to lower class size while not raising the school property tax millage rate, and adopted a resolution that prohibits implementing Critical Race Theory (CRT) and The 1619 Project.  

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, April 15, approved school calendars for three more years and appointed several new leaders for next school year.

The approved calendars for the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 school year now are posted at http://bit.ly/CCSDcalendars.  They were developed by a committee of CCSD employees and parents and use the same balanced calendar model as currently in place.  

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, March 18, 2021, heard school operations updates on plans for special events including graduation ceremonies and proms, as well as details for next school year including the continuation of a Digital Learning option.  

The School Board also approved several appointments for CCSD school leadership roles for next school year including new Principals for Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy and Mountain Road Elementary School, as well as the naming of the District’s first administrator focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) has announced the week of March 15-19, 2021 as “School Board Member Appreciation Week.” 

CCSD joins a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members.  As constitutional officers of Georgia, school board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel, providing buildings and equipment, operating a transportation system and disbursing school funds.  As community leaders, school board members serve as advocates for the children in local public schools and must study, evaluate and decide what actions are in the best interest of those students.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, approved several appointments for CCSD school leadership roles for next school year.

As part of the monthly personnel report, the School Board accepted the retirements of many longtime educators throughout CCSD including Bascomb Elementary School Principal Kathleen Chandler.  

The Cherokee County School Board at its meeting Thursday night heard updates on State education funding and the state of public health.  

The Cherokee County School Board has earned top state honors for exemplary leadership and innovation practices.

The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) has awarded the Cherokee County School Board its 2020 Exemplary School Board designation.  The statewide recognition program honors school boards that consistently meet standards of excellence and model best practices; it is a three-tiered program, and Exemplary is the highest level of achievement.  In order to earn this status, school boards must demonstrate commitment to

The Cherokee County School Board during its meeting Thursday approved the purchase of land for the potential site of a new Cherokee High School.

The 88-acre site is north of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and adjacent to the current Teasley MS campus in Canton’s Riverstone area, and the land cost is $87,500 per acre to be paid for with current Ed SPLOST funds. 

The Cherokee County School Board during its meeting Thursday approved extending Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower’s contract through June 2024 and adopted its annual Legislative Partnership Priorities.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday heard an update on potential State funding concerns for next school year.
 
During its pre-meeting work session, School Board members began the planning work for its annual Legislative Partnership Priorities, a list of top issues it would like to see addressed by Cherokee County’s State legislators during the General Assembly Session.  The report typically is shared by the School Board with the Delegation at a meeting in early December prior to the legislative session’s start in January.

The Cherokee County School Board during its meeting Thursday heard operations updates and talked about construction of a replacement Cherokee High School as a possible project to be funded in the next Education SPLOST renewal.

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting tonight heard an update on the start of the school year, and talked about a possible “hybrid” model for the reopening of three temporarily closed high schools.

After a wide-ranging discussion of current school operations and possible operational changes, the School Board voted, 5-1, with Vice Chair Kelly Poole dissenting and John Harmon absent, to authorize Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower to make adjustments, as he determines are needed, to the Reopening of School Plan in order to reopen Creekview, Etowah and Woodstock High Schools on Aug. 31.  The motion specifically excluded authorizing a student mask mandate at this time.

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting tonight unanimously approved the Cherokee County School District’s annual budget, which, despite a $25 Million State education funding cut, was balanced without the need for furlough days or a millage rate increase.

The Cherokee County School Board at its called meeting tonight unanimously approved the Superintendent’s recommended CCSD Reopening of School Plan, which calls for both the return to schools for traditional learning and the launch of an improved digital learning choice.

On behalf of the Superintendent, please be advised that Cherokee County School Board Chair Kyla Cromer has called for a School Board meeting to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2020 to consider approval of the Superintendent’s recommended CCSD Reopening of School Plan. 

The Cherokee County School Board at its work session and regular meeting this evening reviewed the proposed CCSD budget for next school year, which balances a State funding shortfall without the need for furlough days or a tax rate increase, and heard an update on school reopening plans.

The Cherokee County School Board during its May meeting, which was held this evening virtually and streamed online, heard school reopening plans and a budget update.

The Cherokee County School Board this evening unanimously approved the Superintendent of Schools’ recommendation to end school early on May 8 and to postpone a decision on high school graduation ceremonies until July 1.

The Cherokee County School Board tonight heard plans to further extend the closure of all Cherokee County School District schools and offices through the previously scheduled Spring Break. 

The School Board, as part of its monthly required meeting, reviewed a status update from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower that included his announcement that the closure would be extended.

The Cherokee County School Board tonight heard plans to further extend the closure of all Cherokee County School District schools and offices through the previously scheduled Spring Break. 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020 approved the appointments of new Principals and other leaders for next school year.

Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy for the second time has received an international organization’s top honor for excellence in technology and engineering education!

The school has been named the Georgia winner of the 2020 Program Excellence Award presented by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) and Paxton-Patterson.  Clark Creek previously earned this recognition in 2017.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 approved the appointment of a longtime CCSD leader as its next Chief Operations Officer.

Dr. Debra Murdock, a past Georgia High School Principal of the Year who currently serves as an Executive Director in the Office of School Operations, will begin leading the division this spring.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019 reaffirmed its opposition to vouchers by joining Georgia’s largest coalition of school systems in its stand against giving taxpayer dollars to private schools.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 heard an update on CCSD’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative, including projects underway to increase counseling services and create a “parent university” program for providing parents more information to help their children’s safety and well-being.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 began the development of its annual Legislative Partnership Priorities outlining its stand on statewide education issues.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 reviewed CCSD’s annual report on school overcrowding, which will not lead to any school boundary redrawings for next school year.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, based on the limited enrollment growth of 350 additional students and lack of any “critically overcrowded” schools, he will not recommend any redistricting for next school year.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 approved Blueprint, a new long-range plan for the Cherokee County School District’s continued success, developed based on community input. 

The creation of the new five-year strategic plan, which is posted here, evolved over six months of meetings with students, families, teachers, support staff, business and community partners to determine what matters most to them and how CCSD could better serve them.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, July 18, 2019 appointed a longtime CCSD leader to head up the new Social and Emotional Learning initiative, as well as several resulting Principal changes.  

Dr. Debra Murdock, the former Principal of Cherokee High School and Georgia High School Principal of the Year, who has most recently served as the School Operations’ executive director overseeing middle and high schools, will take on the newly created role focused on developing new ways to better support students’ and employees’ emotional and mental health and well-being.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, June 20, 2019 unanimously approved the Superintendent’s proposed budget for next school year and celebrated the swearing-in of a new CCSD School Police Chief.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, May 16, 2019 reviewed the Superintendent’s proposed budget for next school year and approved a new crackdown policy to stop student vaping.

Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy this month became the first school in the Cherokee County School District - and only the 183rd in the world - to earn STEM certification from AdvancED, the international accreditation agency for educational institutions. 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, April 18, 2019 approved the appointment of a new CCSD School Police Chief and new assistant principals to fill vacancies for next school year. 

The School Board unanimously approved naming Major Buster Cushing, who currently serves as commander of field operations for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, as the next CCSD School Police Chief effective July 1.  Major Cushing will fill the role held by retiring Chief Mark Kissel  since the Department’s establishment 20 years ago.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, March 21, 2019 approved the appointment of five new Principals to fill vacancies for next school year, as well as a new head football coach for Creekview High School. 

The five new Principals are: for Clayton Elementary School, Carrie O’Bryant; E.T. Booth Middle School, Todd Sharrock; Knox Elementary School, Jennifer McIntosh; Sixes Elementary School, Dr. Ashley Kennerly; and Woodstock Middle School; Michael Santoro.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 recognized retiring Principals and the School District’s retiring police chief and approved appointments to fill several leadership vacancies for next school year. 

The monthly personnel recommendations made more news than usual due to the announcement of retirements of several longtime leaders and the naming of two Office of Curriculum & Instruction directors and a coordinator for 2019-20 operations.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019 heard a forecast for next year’s budget and weighed in on legislative issues anticipated to come up this session. 

The meeting began with the swearing in of four Board members, who all were re-elected to four-year terms: Mike Chapman, John Harmon, Clark Menard and Robert “Rick Steiner” Rechsteiner.  The School Board then elected Kelly Poole its vice chair, who will serve in the additional role through the end of the 2019.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, began the School District’s personnel hiring process for next school year, which will not include significant growth.

The first step in this process is adoption of the Superintendent of Schools’ organizational chart, which will be in effect for the next two years, and was approved unanimously by the School Board.  As student enrollment growth has slowed, the plan calls for reorganizing central office Divisions and restructuring roles to allow for better use of current staff to serve changing needs.

The Cherokee County School Board on Friday, Dec. 14, presented its 2019 Legislative Partnership Priorities to members of the county’s Legislative Delegation, including pleas for continued local control of educational decisions and increased State funding for school safety and security.

The annual breakfast meeting hosted by the School Board included a review by School Board Chair Kyla Cromer of those Priorities, as well as time for the legislators to share what issues they plan to advocate for during the session.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, approved its annual Legislative Partnership Program outlining requests for the local Legislative Delegation’s consideration during the upcoming session, and local control topped the list. 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, purchased land for a replacement Canton Elementary School, the construction of which will be included in the 2021 Education Special Local Option Sales Tax renewal proposal. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said the purchase of 63 acres on the east side of Reinhardt College Parkway (Highway 140) 2.8 miles north of the Riverstone Parkway/Waleska Road intersection for $26,000 an acre is a promise kept by him and the School Board. 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, voiced their support of parents and employees, who overwhelmingly voted in a recent survey to keep the current school calendar – and local control of it.  

In response to widespread media coverage of the formation of a Senate Study Committee to mandate a school start date after Labor Day for all Georgia public schools, the CCSD Office of Communications over the past week conducted a brief survey of parents, employees and the School Board’s Student Delegates.  The survey resulted in 8,305 responses from parents and 2,674 responses from employees.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, approved leasing Hickory Flat Elementary School’s former gym to the Cherokee County government to use for community recreation purposes.  

The Cherokee County School District has maintained the original gym since the school community opted four years ago to discontinue its use in favor of the modern, air-conditioned gym.  When the Cherokee County government recently inquired with CCSD staff about possibly leasing the facility for community use, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower recommended the School Board approve such an agreement.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, July 19, 2018, approved the installation of security foyers in 15 more schools, speeding up the project at the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and his Safety and Security Ad Hoc Committee.

The foyers will be constructed over the next year at Avery ES, Bascomb ES, Boston ES, Clayton ES, Hickory Flat ES, Johnston ES, Macedonia ES, Mountain Road ES and Sixes ES, and Creekland MS, E.T. Booth MS, Freedom MS, Mill Creek MS, Teasley MS, and Woodstock MS.

The School Board on Thursday, June 21, 2018, approved the Annual Budget for 2018-19, which continues class-size reductions, increases safety and security spending and keeps the tax rate steady, and renewed the Superintendent of Schools’ contract through June 2021. 

The budget recommended by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower grows the day-to-day operating budget to $406 Million from the current $385 Million based on rising student enrollment, the restoration of the final $4 Million in State “austerity budget cuts,” and the property tax digest’s recovery to pre-Recession levels.  The millage property tax rate remains unchanged at 19.45 mills; the School Board held three public hearings prior to approval of the budget and millage rate.

The School Board on Thursday, May 17, 2018, reviewed the Superintendent of Schools’ recommended tentative Annual Budget for 2018-19, which calls for continued reduction in class sizes, greater spending on safety and security measures and no tax rate increase.

The School Board on Thursday, May 3, 2018, heard the Superintendent of Schools’ recommendations for improving safety and security in CCSD schools and approved three more years of school calendars.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower in February, following the Parkland school shooting, re-established his Ad Hoc Safety and Security Committee, which initially formed after the Sandy Hook school shooting.

"On Valentine's Day, our hearts again were broken by a tragic school shooting, this time in Florida," Dr. Hightower said.  "As I shared after Parkland, while I would keep its families in my prayers, I also would take action to ensure the safety of our students, employees and schools."

Dr. Hightower asked the Cherokee County Sheriff, Chief Marshal, all of Cherokee's city Police Chiefs, parents and Principals from every one of CCSD's Innovation Zones and CCSD leaders to serve on the Committee, which was chaired by CCSD School Police Chief Mark Kissel.

The School Board on Thursday, April 19, 2018, approved the appointment of new School District and school leaders for next school year and a voter-supported classroom addition at Mill Creek Middle School.

The School Board on Thursday, March 15, 2018, approved the appointment of new Principals for next school year and the voter-supported installation of artificial turf at all high schools.

The School Board on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, began its annual leadership hiring process with the approval of the Superintendent of Schools’ recommendations to fill two central administration vacancies.

The School Board on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, heard its first report on anticipated revenue for the 2018-19 budget, including expectations that the State will continue withholding $4 Million as an “austerity budget cut” as recommended by Gov. Deal and further increase costs to school districts for providing employees with mandated health and retirement benefits.

The School Board on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, approved a plan to relieve Cherokee High School overcrowding by using the neighboring Canton Elementary campus.

The School Board on Thursday, October 19, 2017, heard an update on meetings gathering community feedback on potential overcrowding mitigation plans for Cherokee High School.

While the campus doesn’t meet CCSD’s definition of “critically overcrowded” due to solutions already implemented, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said he’s committed to asking for the School Board’s approval in December of a plan for alleviating overcrowding beginning next school year.

The School Board on Thursday, September 14, 2017, heard plans for a public review of options to relieve overcrowding at Cherokee High School.

The School Board on Thursday, August 17, 2017, held its first meeting in its new auditorium and announced plans to offer a parent academy program this fall in collaboration with the Georgia School Boards Association.

The School Board on Thursday, June 15, 2017, unanimously approved the Superintendent’s Recommended 2017-18 Annual Budget, which funds improvements in teaching and learning and safety and security without a millage rate increase.