View All News

Congratulations Free Home ES 2025 Volunteer of the Year: Georgine Lightsey!   We appreciate the support you pour into our schools, making our students and staff feel valued, connected and essential to the future.  Thank you for joining us in our mission to be the highest-performing school district in Georgia – you make a difference! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

MUST Ministries will be using a partnership grant from Kroger to support and enhance the food pantry at Cherokee High School, one of four school food pantry projects in the region selected  by MUST to benefit from a $205,000 donation from the grocery store chain!

Five Cherokee County School District students recently won the opportunity to display their artwork at statewide events!  Artwork by three students was selected for the Atlanta High School Art Exhibit, with two students’ artwork chosen for the Georgia Capitol Art Exhibit.

Cherokee County School District students earned top honors at a statewide career skills competition!  The Cherokee High School welding program team earned two third-place honors at the recent SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference.

The Cherokee County School District’s Police Department is dedicated to serving and protecting our students and staff every day through its three pillar approach of preparation, prevention, and response.  We’re so thankful for their service -- their talent is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Please meet one of our newest police officers ... #CCSDElevateTheExcellence #SafeCherokee

Congratulations Ball Ground ES STEM Academy 2025 Partner of the Year: Cherokee County Farm Bureau!  We appreciate the support you provide through sharing your time, talents, and treasures to ensure students and staff in our schools feel valued, connected and essential to the future.  Thank you for joining us in our mission to be the highest-performing school district in Georgia – you make a difference! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Please join us in the celebration of the new home for Free Home Elementary School! Our open house event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, is open to the entire community as a sneak peek into the new school set to open for classes in August.

Cherokee County School District middle schoolers recently tested their STEM knowledge through a districtwide competition, and three students are advancing to state competition!  The annual Georgia Association of Water Professionals’ Model Water Tower Competition, sponsored for CCSD by the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority gives seventh-graders the opportunity to plan, design and build a water tower.  

Cherokee County School District’s top young singers recently performed with the district’s 2025 Elementary School Honor Chorus! The annual program this spring invited 115 select students, who included representatives from all of CCSD’s 23 elementary schools, for a day of learning and performance at Reinhardt University.  

The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched. Every week, you’ll get to know one of our valued educators better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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.

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our talented support staff.  Their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched in helping to create high-quality learning environments where our students can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else! Today, we recognize Sara Wolcott … Arnold Mill ES 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year!

The Cherokee County School District’s Student Advisor and Student Delegates to the School Board gathered today for their third roundtable meeting with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis. One outstanding high school senior from each of CCSD’s high schools serves as a delegate for one school year to give input and feedback to the School Board and to the Superintendent.

Congratulations Freedom MS 2025 Volunteer of the Year: Stefanie Poole!   We appreciate the support you pour into our schools, making our students and staff feel valued, connected and essential to the future.  Thank you for joining us in our mission to be the highest-performing school district in Georgia – you make a difference! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Cherokee County School Board members got a peek inside the new Free Home Elementary School today, with a tour of the replacement school that is nearing completion in east Cherokee, slated to open in August.  We look forward to welcoming the public to an open house event later this spring as we celebrate the continuation of nearly 120 years of a Free Home School in the community!

Twenty-three Cherokee County School District elementary school students are advancing to the Georgia K-5 Science and Engineering Fair!  CCSD students who earned top honors at the district competition now head to the state contest later this month at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.

Six Cherokee County School District students won statewide 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 mobile apps, robotics, and video production.

The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched. Every week, you’ll get to know one of our valued educators better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District is continuing a new monthly recognition for outstanding high school athletes.  This school year, CCSD kicked off recognizing a Female Athlete of the Month and Male Athlete of the Month.

Cherokee County School District high school and middle school students earned seats in the prestigious Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Band, Chorus and Orchestra!  Students from Georgia middle and high schools statewide audition for these selective performance opportunities.  This year’s All-State music events recently were held at the Classic Center in Athens. 

The application window for the Cherokee County School District’s Pre-K program lottery for next school year is open through April 6. 
For the 2025-26 school year, CCSD will offer Georgia Lottery Pre-K classes for 4-year-olds at Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy, Holly Springs ES STEM Academy, Johnston ES Preschool Center, Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy, R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy and Ralph Bunche Center.  We can’t wait to welcome students to begin learning more, growing more, and achieving more in our classrooms!

The achieving never ends for CCSD students!  We are proud of our CCSD alums and how they continue to #ElevateTheExcellence! Check out what this #CCSDNotable has accomplished!

Two Cherokee County School District students are headed to the State Social Studies Fair!  Hudson Boudreaux of Bascomb Elementary School and Zaine Reinhart of Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy earned first place at the regional competition and now advance to the state contest in May.  Congratulations to our winners and their teachers and thank you to our School Board for its continued investment in exemplary classroom instruction and opportunities for student academic competitions!

Six Cherokee County School District students have graduated from a prestigious regional leadership program!  Kennedy Hawks of Woodstock HS, Rohan Pandya of Etowah HS, Claire Park of River Ridge HS, Camila Pérez of River Ridge HS, Maddie Ragsdale of Etowah HS, and Aubrey Smith of Sequoyah HS are among 50 outstanding high school students from across the region selected to participate in the 2024-25 Model Atlanta Regional Commission, which recently concluded for the school year.  

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our talented support staff.  Their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched in helping to create high-quality learning environments where our students can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else! Today, we recognize Maria Barajas … Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year!

Twenty Cherokee County School District high school students earned the opportunity at the statewide business skills competition to advance to internationals!  The students competed at the DECA student marketing, management and entrepreneurship association’s State Career Development Conference recently held in Atlanta.  Five students won the state championship in their competition category, and 15 more also placed in the top 10 in the state to qualify for the international competition in Orlando next month.  Additionally, the River Ridge High School DECA chapter earned four top chapter awards.

Cherokee County School District students and teachers are nationally ranked in competitive Erg rowing!  CCSD middle schools last school year added Erg rowing to their PE classes thanks to a Concept2, Inc. Erg Ed grant awarded by the George Pocock Rowing Foundation through a competitive application process.  Only two school districts nationwide were selected for the grant.  The Allatoona Rowing Association partnered with CCSD on the initiative and established a CCSD Middle School Erg Sprint Team.

The Cherokee County School District’s inaugural Superintendent’s Middle School Student Advisory Board gathered today for its second meeting of the school year.  The board formed by Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis is made up of one student leader from each grade level – sixth, seventh and eighth -- from each of CCSD’s middle schools.  During today’s meeting, Superintendent Davis shared how their treasured input in the fall led to improvements in the district’s work in its mission to be the highest performing school district in Georgia.  

Congratulations Avery ES 2025 Volunteer of the Year: Melissa Chesson! We appreciate the support you pour into our schools, making our students and staff feel valued, connected and essential to the future. Thank you for joining us in our mission to be the highest-performing school district in Georgia – you make a difference! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Five Cherokee County School District students are advancing to the state 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.  

The Cherokee County School District’s inaugural Superintendent’s Elementary School Student Advisory Board gathered today for its second meeting of the school year.  The board formed by Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis is made up of one fifth-grade student leader from each of CCSD’s elementary schools.  During the meeting, she shared with the students how their valued feedback in the fall positively impacted the district’s work in its mission to be the highest performing school district in Georgia.  Superintendent Davis then listened to them for more input in response to specific school improvement questions.

Congratulations Sequoyah HS 2025 Partner of the Year: ATL Grad! We appreciate the support you provide through sharing your time, talents, and treasures to ensure students and staff in our schools feel valued, connected and essential to the future. Thank you for joining us in our mission to be the highest-performing school district in Georgia – you make a difference! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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 Woodstock Middle School, led by Principal Ken Nix. During these visits, the board sees how incredible our teachers and staff are and learn from leaders how the school is improving. They also enjoy a CCSD School Nutrition lunch from the cafeteria. A high-performing school district starts with a high-performing 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.

The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched. Every week, you’ll get to know one of our valued educators better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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. 

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our talented support staff.  Their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched in helping to create high-quality learning environments where our students can learn more, grow more and achieve more in CCSD than they could anywhere else! Today, we recognize Patty Carter … Dean Rusk MS 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year!

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.  This month, the visit was to Mill Creek MS, led by Principal Justin Sanderson.  During these visits, the board sees how incredible our teachers and staff are and learns from leaders how the school is improving.  

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

The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched. Every week, you’ll get to know one of our valued educators better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating Read Across America Week, a nationwide reading event that coincides with renowned children’s book author and illustrator Dr. Seuss’s March 2 birthday. Schools mark the occasion with guest readers, book character dress-up days, and other special activities to celebrate reading.

Student voice matters in CCSD!  Each year, every high school selects a Student Delegate to the School Board to represent their peers and provide valuable insight to the district’s governance team.  In addition to the Delegates participating in School Board meetings, Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis meets with the group throughout the year to listen for insights to develop plans for district and school improvement.  Learn more about our River Ridge HS delegate.  #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Teacher hiring season kicks off in March, and the Cherokee County School District’s Recruitment Ambassadors play an important role in the mission of becoming the highest performing school district in Georgia.  Made up of outstanding educators from across the school district, the team assists with district recruitment events like the CCSD Job Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 1, at River Ridge High School, as well as at community and college job fairs.  In addition to engaging with candidates at in-person job fairs, ambassadors also follow up to answer candidates’ additional questions after events.

Cherokee County School District’s high schools have earned the state’s top honors for outstanding Advanced Placement programs and performance!  All six of CCSD’s traditional high schools today were named 2025 AP Honor Schools for exceptional student performance and participation on AP exams, which offer students more challenging coursework and the opportunity to earn college credit.

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our incredible support staff.  Their efforts help create high-quality learning environments that inspire success. Today, we recognize Michelle Miller … Indian Knoll ES 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year!

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. 

Thirty-eight Cherokee County School District students are advancing to the Georgia Student Technology Competition! CCSD students earned the opportunity to compete in the March 1 statewide event by winning first place in the recently held Piedmont Regional 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 mobile apps, robotics, and video production.

The Cherokee County School District is continuing a new monthly recognition for outstanding high school athletes.  This school year, CCSD kicked off recognizing a Female Athlete of the Month and Male Athlete of the Month.  Congratulations to this month’s winners: Leah Jordan of Sequoyah High School for wrestling, whose head coach is Joe Hulen; and Myles Merges of Creekview High School for swimming, whose head coach is Savannah Porter. 

Four Cherokee County School District students are advancing to the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair!  CCSD middle and high school students compete at a regional event, which was held earlier this month at Georgia Highlands College, for the opportunity to vie for top honors at the statewide fair in April at the University of Georgia.

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis and the school’s leadership team. This month, the visit was to Sixes Elementary School led by Principal Dr. Ginger Morgan.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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.

Our CCSD Police Officers serve and protect our students, employees and visitors every day with exceptional professionalism … and do so much more to support our students’ success! From reading to kindergarten classes to speaking at eighth-grade career days to cheering on students whether on the field or onstage, our officers are valued members of our school communities. 

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our incredible support staff.  Their efforts help create high-quality learning environments that inspire success. Today, we recognize Erica Snider … 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Cherokee HS!

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’s Police Department is dedicated to serving and protecting our students and staff every day. We’re thankful for their service! Please meet one of our newest police officers ... #CCSDElevateTheExcellence #SafeCherokee
 

Thirty-six Cherokee County School District student athletes this month signed commitment letters to play competitive sports at the college level!  This month’s National Signing Day follows signing days held earlier this school year during which 64 CCSD student athletes signed to play on competitive college teams … for a total so far this school year of 100 signings.  

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Cherokee County School District students won gold in the statewide winter Special Olympics!  Cherokee County Special Olympics basketball, bowling and pickleball student athletes earned gold medals at the State Winter Indoor Games recently held in Cobb County.

This week, we celebrate the incredible dedication and professionalism of every CCSD counselor!  Our counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic success, well-being and future readiness.  Their commitment to Elevating the Excellence in our schools ensures that every student has the guidance and support they need to thrive. 

In honor of National School Counseling Week, we spotlighted CCSD’s newly named 2025 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners all week.  You can read about our last featured outstanding zone winner, here!  #NSCW2025 #ElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District on Thursday night celebrated 264 outstanding high school students as 2025 Superintendent’s Key Scholars!  These top students were recognized, through the 20th Annual Superintendent’s Key Scholar Recognition Ceremony, for earning a PSAT National Merit Selection Index score of 185 or greater, which ranks them in at least the top 10% of students nationwide.    

A Cherokee County School District teacher has been named the state’s top music educator!  Creekview High School Choral Director Scott L. Martin received the Georgia Music Educators Association’s Music Teacher of the Year award, which was presented at organization’s annual conference recently held in Athens.  It is the highest honor awarded by the association and is presented annually to only one music educator of the more than 3,000 statewide.

This week, we celebrate the incredible dedication and professionalism of every CCSD counselor! Our counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic success, well-being and future readiness. Their commitment to Elevating the Excellence in our schools ensures that every student has the guidance and support they need to thrive.

In honor of National School Counseling Week, join us as we spotlight CCSD’s newly named 2025 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners. Stay tuned as we feature one outstanding counselor each day! #NSCW2025 #ElevateTheExcellence

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our incredible support staff.  Their efforts help create high-quality learning environments that inspire success. Today, we recognize Domenico Cappello … 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Little River ES!

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.  

This week, we celebrate the incredible dedication and professionalism of every CCSD counselor! Our counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic success, well-being and future readiness. Their commitment to Elevating the Excellence in our schools ensures that every student has the guidance and support they need to thrive.

In honor of National School Counseling Week, join us as we spotlight CCSD’s newly named 2025 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners. Stay tuned as we feature one outstanding counselor each day! #NSCW2025 #ElevateTheExcellence

Congratulations to the Cherokee County School District middle school basketball regular season and tournament champions! The season culminated with tournaments, and celebrations of regular season and tournament champions and runner-up teams.

This week, we celebrate the incredible dedication and professionalism of every CCSD counselor! Our counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic success, well-being and future readiness. Their commitment to Elevating the Excellence in our schools ensures that every student has the guidance and support they need to thrive.

In honor of National School Counseling Week, join us as we spotlight CCSD’s newly named 2025 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners. Stay tuned as we feature one outstanding counselor each day! #NSCW2025 #ElevateTheExcellence

A Cherokee County School District teacher has earned a top statewide career education award! Etowah High School aerospace science instructor U.S. Air Force Sgt. (Ret.) Ciarra Malto has been named the Georgia New Teacher of the Year for Junior ROTC programs by the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Educators.  

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. 

This week, we celebrate the incredible dedication and professionalism of every CCSD counselor! Our counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic success, well-being and future readiness. Their commitment to Elevating the Excellence in our schools ensures that every student has the guidance and support they need to thrive.

In honor of National School Counseling Week, join us as we spotlight CCSD’s newly named 2025 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners. Stay tuned as we feature one outstanding counselor each day! #NSCW2025 #ElevateTheExcellence

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Woodstock Elementary School counselors Michelle Giles, Brent Harrison and Michelle Martin were surprised by Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis this morning with Starbucks cups & candy — a small “thank you” as we kick off National School Counselor Appreciation Week!

This week, we celebrate the incredible dedication and professionalism of every CCSD counselor!  Our counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic success, well-being and future readiness.  Their commitment to Elevating the Excellence in our schools ensures that every student has the guidance and support they need to thrive. 

In honor of National School Counseling Week, join us as we spotlight CCSD’s newly named 2025 Counselor of the Year Zone Winners.  Stay tuned as we feature one outstanding counselor each day!  #NSCW2024 #ElevateTheExcellence

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Cherokee County School District Reading Bowl! The annual event for students in grades 4-12 is a timed competition to encourage reading, develop reading comprehension skills, and offer a fun extra-curricular academic opportunity.  

Woodstock High School recognized Tatum Schoonmaker last night as the first CCSD student to earn firefighter certification through the firefighting career pathway at WHS, and she also is the first CCSD pathway completer to be hired by Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Little River Elementary School on Monday to present special banners to 15 CCSD schools recognized for outstanding achievement in literacy or math on the 2024 Georgia Milestones tests.

Every school year, each CCSD high school selects one Student Delegate to the School Board to represent the student voice. One Delegate is named the Student Advisor and sits with the Board at its meetings. We’ll continue to introduce you to them all this year! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our incredible support staff. Their efforts help create high-quality learning environments that inspire success. Today, we recognize Maureen Hinkelmann … 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Woodstock Middle School!

A Cherokee County School District high school student has been selected for the annual All-State Art Symposium!  Woodstock High School junior Eileen Uribe Parra is one of only 54 Georgia high school student artists selected for the competitive program to be held next month at Piedmont University.  

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.  

The Cherokee County School District is continuing a new monthly recognition for outstanding high school athletes. Congratulations to this month’s winners: Taylor Wills of Etowah High School for basketball, whose head coach is Jordan Tetley; and Sean Hamilton of Cherokee High School for basketball, whose head coach is Joe Veihman.

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

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our incredible support staff.  Their efforts help create high-quality learning environments that inspire success. Today, we recognize Shawn Lisle … 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Bascomb ES!

Creekland Middle School seventh-grader Leah Childers correctly spelled “ubiquity” and then “debutante” to claim the title as the county’s top speller at the 2025 Cherokee County School District Spelling Bee. 

The Cherokee County School District’s Police Department is dedicated to serving and protecting our students and staff every day. We’re thankful for their service! Please meet one of our newest police officers ... 

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here.

Three Cherokee County School District teams earned honors at regional First LEGO League robotics competitions to advance to super regionals!  Mill Creek Middle School’s LEGO Cats – Pink and Gold teams and Dean Rusk Middle School’s Brick Army II team all earned high enough overall scores at regionals to move on to the super regionals event this weekend.

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our incredible support staff.  Their efforts help create high-quality learning environments that inspire success. Today, we recognize Devoreaux Bizzard … 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year for E.T. Booth MS!

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis and the school’s leadership team.  This month, the visit was to R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy.

A Cherokee County School District teacher has been honored with the nation’s top award for agricultural educators!  Etowah High School teacher Ashley Rivers, who leads the school’s Career Pathway agriculture program, is one of only six teachers nationwide to win the 2024 National Association of Agricultural Educators’ Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award.  

A Cherokee County School District teacher has been honored as the region’s top art educator!  Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy teacher Dr. Lisa Spence has earned the National Art Education Association’s Southeastern Region Elementary Art Educator Award.

A Cherokee County School District student is a regional essay contest winner!  E.T. Booth Middle School eighth-grader Arcadian Freund is the Cherokee County winner for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s 23rd annual essay contest open to all metro Atlanta middle schoolers.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence
 

Our district's commitment to Elevating the Excellence is made possible by the outstanding contributions of our incredible support staff.  Their efforts create and support high-quality learning environments that inspire success.  Today, we recognize Liz Ray … 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year for ACTIVE Academies!

Cherokee County School District’s top “mathletes” participated in the fourth annual CCSD Elementary School Math Competition, with Avery Elementary School named the overall champion!

A Cherokee County School District career education teacher has earned national recognition!  Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stephen Bergey, senior aerospace instructor for Etowah High School’s Career Pathway in Air Force Junior ROTC - Government and Public Administration, was honored this month by the National Association of Career and Technical Education as the Region II winner of its New Teacher of the Year Award.

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!

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence
 

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its new class of REACH Georgia Scholars!  REACH Georgia is a statewide mentorship and college scholarship program for middle and high school students.  This is CCSD’s third year of participation with support from the Cherokee County Educational Foundation; four eighth-graders have been selected for this year’s class.

Every school year, each CCSD high school selects one Student Delegate to the School Board to represent the student voice. One Delegate is named the Student Advisor and sits with the Board at its meetings. We’ll continue to introduce you to them all this year! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District is continuing a new monthly recognition for outstanding high school athletes.

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.  

A Cherokee County School District student named to a statewide student council represented her school and district today at a statewide education event.

The Cherokee County School District’s Student Advisor and Student Delegates to the School Board gathered today for their second roundtable meeting with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis.

Two Cherokee County School District teachers have been named 2025 Georgia STEM Scholars!  Karina Dean of Hickory Flat Elementary School and Cat Klingbeil of Freedom Middle School earned the honor that is presented annually by the Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers (GYSTC).  Only 25 elementary and middle school teachers from a pool of statewide nominees were recognized as 2025 Don Cargill STEM Scholar Award winners.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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 partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy 2024 Partner of the Year: Rotary Club of Woodstock.

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

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence
 

A Cherokee County School District student has earned a countywide award for his dedication to the environment.

Nine Cherokee County School District students earned honors this month for outstanding technology skills!

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Woodstock ES 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Brandon Williams! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Sixty-four Cherokee County School District student athletes have signed commitment letters to compete at the college level!

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Etowah HS 2024 Partner of the Year: EF2 Realty Team Powered by Keller Williams Realty Partners.

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

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence
 

Six projects by Cherokee County School District students are headed to the Regional Social Studies Fair.

More than 900 Cherokee County School District students have earned national AP Scholar awards!

The Cherokee County School District has again earned a top state honor for serving farm-fresh meals to students!

Eight Cherokee County School District high school seniors have been named National Merit Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation!  

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy PTA Executive Board! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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. 

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to ACTIVE Academies 2024 Partner of the Year: His Hands Church.

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

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis and the school’s leadership team.  This month, the visit was to Carmel Elementary School.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

CCSD schools across the county showed their appreciation for military veterans in many ways-- including patriotic programs, breakfasts, parades, and special lessons. 

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

Three Cherokee County School District teams have earned national Air Force Junior ROTC Raiders championship titles!

Congratulations to the School Nutrition team at Johnston ES for winning the Georgia Tray of the Week by public vote!

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Knox ES STEM Academy 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Knox ES STEM Academy PTA Executive Board! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Microsoft Education has recognized 43 Cherokee County School District teachers and leaders as among the world’s best instructional technology educators!

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Arnold Mill Elementary School 2024 Partner of the Year: Atlanta Area Council, BSA (Scouting America).

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

Thirteen Cherokee County School District schools have been named Math Leaders by the Georgia Department of Education in recognition of exceptional achievement or growth in student math skills.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Six Cherokee County School District schools have been named Literacy Leaders by the Georgia Department of Education in recognition of exceptional achievement or growth in student reading skills.

Every school year, each CCSD high school selects one Student Delegate to the School Board to represent the student voice. One Delegate is named the Student Advisor and sits with the Board at its meetings. We’ll introduce you to them all this year! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Creekland Middle School, for the fourth consecutive year, won the Cherokee County School District Middle School Academic Bowl! Dean Rusk Middle School’s team placed as runner-up at the event, which was organized by CCSD’s Academics & Accountability division and sponsored by the Cherokee County Educational Foundation.  

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Holly Springs ES STEM Academy 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Mt. Zion Baptist Volunteer Team! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Woodstock High School 2024 Partner of the Year: Chick-fil-A Towne Lake.

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

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis and the school’s leadership team.  This month, the visit was to Johnston Elementary School, where she and School Board member Kelly Poole today met with Principal Lori Etheridge and Assistant Principal Amy Walker to learn about School Improvement Plan development and enjoyed a CCSD School Nutrition lunch from the cafeteria.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

We are proud of our CCSD alums and how they continue to #ElevateTheExcellence! Check out what this #CCSDNotable has accomplished!

All aboard!  Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis joined CCSD school bus driver “Mr. Ronnie” Townsend on his route to Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy this morning as part of her celebration of Bus Driver Appreciation and National School Bus Safety Week.  

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Liberty Elementary School: Sue Banker! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District’s inaugural Superintendent’s Middle School Student Advisory Board gathered today for its first meeting.  The board formed by Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis is made up of one student leader from each grade level – sixth, seventh and eighth -- from each of CCSD’s middle schools.

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Indian Knoll Elementary School 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Jeanette Smith! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District’s inaugural Superintendent’s Elementary School Student Advisory Board gathered today for its first meeting.  The board formed by Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis is made up of one fifth-grade student leader from each of CCSD’s elementary schools.

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Bascomb Elementary School 2024 Partner of the Year: Hotworx Woodstock (Towne Lake).

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 Police Department is dedicated to serving and protecting our students and staff every day. We’re thankful for their service! Please meet one of our newest police officers ... #CCSDElevateTheExcellence #SafeCherokee

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

A Cherokee County School District student has been named to the State School Superintendent’s 2024-25 Student Advisory Council!  River Ridge High School junior Udi Gitau is among the 74 high school students from across the state selected for the prestigious role.

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Teasley Middle School: Officer Eddie Gibney! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

An Etowah Innovation Zone mom is the winner of this year’s annual CCSD School Nutrition Parent Recipe Contest!  Vinutha Ramachandrachar earned the top prize for her Parsley Salad recipe.

A Cherokee County School District high school is partnering with Georgia Public Broadcasting and PBS News Hour for a career skills-building program!

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Johnston Elementary School 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Carli Stockton! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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

The Cherokee County School District’s Police Department is dedicated to serving and protecting our students and staff every day. We’re thankful for their service! Please meet one of our newest police officers ... #CCSDElevateTheExcellence #SafeCherokee

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Woodstock Elementary School 2024 Partner of the Year: Whataburger.

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

Ahoy! It’s National School Lunch Week, and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis set sail today for Knox ES STEM Academy to celebrate its cafeteria crew for its savvy service. This week’s theme is “School Lunch Pirates … Find Your Treasure!” and the Knox lunchroom is decked out with a pirate ship among its festive decor.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

#CCSDSuperSupporters are making a difference in our schools! We appreciate our students’ families for partnering with us to #ElevateTheExcellenceCCSD.  Your contributions are noticed and valued! Shining the spotlight on …

Congratulations to Woodstock Elementary School on the opening of two new playgrounds this week!  Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis joined Principal Ann Driver to officially cut the ribbon on the new play structures, which were made possible through support of the school's PTA and community partners.

The Cherokee County School District is continuing a new monthly recognition for outstanding high school athletes.

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Little River Elementary School: Chandler Woodruff! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Dean Rusk Middle School 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Dean Rusk MS PTSA Executive Board! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Mill Creek Middle School 2024 Partner of the Year: Lee Holman Horace Mann Insurance.

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

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!

The Cherokee County School District’s graduation rate for the Class of 2024 rose to 93.5%, a new high that also continues to top the state average.

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating Georgia PreK Week with special activities including guest readers!

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!

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

Four Cherokee County School District students have been selected for the competitive All-State Theatre Program.

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!

The College Board has honored 128 Cherokee County School District students with National Recognition Programs Awards!

In honor of National School Custodian Day, this week 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! 

In honor of National School Custodian Day, this week 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!  #CCSDElevateTheExcellence #ThankACustodian

A Cherokee County School District school for the fourth consecutive year has earned a global honor for effectively using technology for teaching and learning.  Indian Knoll Elementary School has been selected by Microsoft as a 2024-25 Microsoft Showcase School in honor of its successful use of educational technology to benefit students and teachers.

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Hickory Flat Elementary School: Olivia Byess! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

A Cherokee County School District elementary school has earned national recognition for physical education programs!  Free Home Elementary School is one of only 879 schools nationwide to be named to the current list of America’s Healthiest Schools.

In honor of National School Custodian Day, this week 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!  #CCSDElevateTheExcellence #ThankACustodian

A Cherokee County School District school has earned a statewide award for excellent school cafeteria programs!  R.M. Moore Elementary School STEM Academy is a winner of the second annual School Nutrition Cafeteria of Excellence Award presented by the Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition division.  

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Freedom Middle School 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Daniela McBride! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Today is National School Custodian Day, and for the next week we’ll be 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!  Today’s recognition is of ACTIVE Academies Head Custodian Joyce Edwards.

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Free Home Elementary School 2024 Partner of the Year: Vulcan Materials - Cherokee.

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

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Hickory Flat Elementary School hosted a Community Helpers Day for kindergarten classes Wednesday morning, inviting seven different speakers to share about their jobs with the students.

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

Congratulations to Bascomb Elementary School for winning a grant from the Sprouts Farmers Market foundation!  The $8,500 donation will help Bascomb enhance its school learning garden and purchase cooking equipment so teachers and students can learn about using what they grow in recipes and meals.

Four Cherokee County School District high school seniors today were named 2025 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.

A Cherokee County School District high school choral group has been selected to perform at two statewide events!

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.  

Our amazing teachers are Elevating The Excellence in our schools … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

A Cherokee County School District student named to a statewide student council met this week with the Superintendent of Schools.

A Cherokee County School District student has been published in a national research journal.

A Cherokee County School District school has been honored by the National PTA for excellence!

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

The Cherokee County School Nutrition program has earned a statewide honor for serving locally grown food!

The Cherokee County Student Delegates to the School Board this week began their year of service!

Two Cherokee County School District students recently participated in a statewide leadership program.

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

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. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Clayton Elementary School 2024 Volunteer of the Year: Susan Williamson! #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

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

A Cherokee County School District student has been named a Gatorade Player of the Year!

A Cherokee County School District student has earned a national scholarship and ambassador role for his outstanding video production skills!

A Cherokee County School District choral group has been selected to perform at a statewide event!

The Cherokee County School District celebrated school nurses today with the presentation of the fourth annual CCSD School Nurse of the Year Awards!

Cherokee County School District students won gold in the statewide summer Special Olympics!

Two Cherokee County School District schools have earned top state honors for excellence in education.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating the winners of its second annual School Nutrition Team of the Year awards!

The Cherokee County School District this week celebrated its Class of 2024 summer graduates with a commencement ceremony!

Cherokee County School District educators and volunteers have been honored by the Georgia PTA with its top statewide awards!

Four Cherokee County School District teachers have earned national recognition, with one being named the nation’s top teacher in his field!

Three Cherokee County School District schools have earned national awards for character education!

Three Cherokee County School District students have earned community aviation scholarships dedicated to the memory of a longtime pilot.

A Cherokee County School District school has earned top honors from a statewide organization dedicated to safety!

Nine Cherokee County School District students recently earned honors for their technology skills!

The Cherokee County School District congratulates the winners of its sixth annual Minecraft Student Build Challenge!

Two Cherokee County School District schools have earned the renewal of national certification for excellence in teaching digital citizenship!

A Cherokee County School District teacher has earned national recognition for her work in career education!

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating the winners of the second annual Sixth-Grade Spring STEM Essay Contest!

Another group of Cherokee County School District educators has earned Georgia’s Dyslexia Endorsement!

Four Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduates have earned Positive Athlete Georgia scholarships!

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating six of its outstanding Special Education team members!

All four of the Cherokee County School District’s high school Air Force Junior ROTC programs have earned national honors for excellence for the past school year, with one program earning the highest award achievable!

Two Cherokee County School District students earned honors in a national science competition!

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce this week announced the 2024 group of Cherokee County's Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch, including two honorees from the Cherokee County School District.

Cherokee County School District student artists earned statewide honors in the PTA Reflections fine arts contest, with one student earning a national prize!

Two Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduating seniors have earned community scholarship awards for future teachers!

A Cherokee County School District student has been named to a statewide student council! 

Thirteen Cherokee County School District teachers have been honored as 2024 Golden Apple Award winners, and a Class of 2024 graduate earned a scholarship to support her pursuit of a teaching career!

Two Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduates have earned National Merit college-awarded scholarships!

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

It’s OK to be a little emotional today … or even a lot.  I know how full my heart felt the day my two children celebrated this milestone.  

A Cherokee County School District student has earned first place in a statewide art contest!

A Cherokee County School District student athlete has earned a statewide honor from Positive Athlete Georgia! 

The Cherokee County School District and School Board celebrated the Class of 2024 Valedictorians and Salutatorians at its 24th Annual Scholar Recognition Banquet.

The message below from Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis is to our graduating Class of 2024 seniors.  You can see each of their names posted below by clicking on the name of their school.

Members of Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2024 have committed to military service, including five selected for prestigious U.S. Service Academies!

The Cherokee County School District congratulates its Class of 2024 School Board Delegates on completing their year of service!

Congratulations to the valedictorians and salutatorians for the Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2024! 

Congratulations to Cherokee County School District 2024 Coach of the Year ... Phil Thomas, head coach of River Ridge High School's state champion boys soccer team!

Cherokee County School District students earned top honors at an international career skills competition!

Two Cherokee County School District students earned statewide honors at Georgia’s Career and Technical Instruction Competition!

Three Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduating seniors have earned $25,000 college scholarships from a community foundation!

A Cherokee High School Class of 2024 graduate has won the annual Maritza Mott Scholarship!

A Cherokee County School District team advanced to the state finals of a national high school economics competition!

It’s national Teacher Appreciation Week, and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis wrapped up the celebration with a visit Friday morning to Boston Elementary School.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating 52 graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in skilled professions!

The Cherokee County School District celebrated its future educators this week!

Little River ES cut a ribbon last week for its new sensory room provided by its PTA.  The Sensory Space Room, designed with an outer space theme, includes features that allow students a place to decompress and self-regulate.  

It’s national Teacher Appreciation Week, and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis continued the celebration with a visit Thursday to Creekview High School.  

Cherokee County School District students placed in the elementary and high school statewide Science Olympiad competitions and in the middle school regional contest!

Cherokee County School District students placed in the state’s top student architecture career skills competition!

Three Cherokee County School District graduating seniors have earned the prestigious 2024 National Merit Scholarship!

A Cherokee County School District student has earned a $5,000 scholarship from a school district partner!  Cherokee High School Class of 2024 graduating senior Jenna Cuomo has earned this year’s Waste Management/Pine Bluff Landfill Scholarship. 

It’s national Teacher Appreciation Week, and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis continued the celebration with a visit today to Holly Springs ES STEM Academy. She surprised teachers with a selection of “her favorite things for her favorite people” from a sunshine cart stocked with treats as she thanked them for all they do for our students! 

It’s national Teacher Appreciation Week, and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis kicked off the occasion at Cherokee High School this morning! 

Cherokee County School District students earned honors at an annual statewide literary competition, including eight first-place wins.

A Cherokee County School District student has won the Georgia Award of Excellence!

A Cherokee County School District student is advancing to a national business skills competition!

Two Cherokee County School District students won a top prize at the statewide 2024 Georgia Social Studies Fair!

Student Treasures book publishing company on Friday recognized second graders at Sixes Elementary for producing the company's 17 Millionth book. 

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its 2024 Yes I Can Award winners!

A Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduating senior is this year’s winner of the Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship presented by the Cherokee County School District’s School Nutrition Association!

A Cherokee County School District student team earned third place in an international engineering competition!  

Two Cherokee County School District leaders this week were honored by a community nonprofit organization for supporting children in need. 

Cherokee County School District’s top young singers recently performed with the district’s 2024 Elementary School Honor Chorus!

Cherokee County School District student athletes have been honored by Positive Athlete Georgia with 13 regional awards.

The Cherokee County School District congratulates the winners of the 2024 Elementary School Academic Bowl!

Cherokee County School District winter guard teams have excelled at national and regional competitions!

Cherokee County School District students earned top honors at the elementary school State Science Fair!

Twenty-eight Cherokee County School District student athletes this month signed commitment letters to play competitive sports at the college level … for a total of 130 signing this school year!

The Cherokee County School District's Library Media Specialist of the Year has been named the regional winner!

Cherokee County School District students, educators and volunteers were honored by the PTA with regional awards!

Cherokee County School District middle schoolers recently tested their STEM knowledge through a countywide competition, and one team advanced to earn third place in the state.  

The next few weeks will provide the Cherokee County community a showcase of teen talent as CCSD high schools put on spring productions, beginning tonight. 

Two additional Cherokee County School District high school students have been selected for the prestigious Georgia Governor’s Honors Program! 

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!

Twelve Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduating seniors will be honored next month by the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame!

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis, members of her staff and the school’s Principal and administrative team.  This month, the visit was to Little River Elementary School today, where the group met with Principal Joni Adams, spoke with students and staff and enjoyed a CCSD School Nutrition lunch from the cafeteria.  

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. 

Six Cherokee County School District student artists were selected for the prestigious Atlanta High School Art Exhibition!

Three Cherokee County School District schools have earned national digital citizenship recognition!

Bascomb Elementary School, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy and Holly Springs ES STEM Academy all recently earned Common Sense School re-certification from the national nonprofit organization Common Sense.  

A Cherokee County School District student has earned national recognition for career readiness skills!  Woodstock High School sophomore Jax Singleton was named one of 20 national Army Educational Outreach Program Veterans Appreciation Challenge finalists by Future Engineers.

A new online tutoring program now is available for high school students at no cost!

 The Etowah High School team of senior Brianna Doville and sophomores Nami Alcaniz and Lily Riggins was one of only eight high school culinary teams statewide selected to participate in the Georgia Department of Education’s School Nutrition Division Student Chef Competition. 

A Cherokee County School District student has been recognized for his astronomy advocacy!

Eight Cherokee County School District high school seniors have been selected for the prestigious Georgia Scholar recognition! 

A Cherokee County School District high school Junior ROTC drone team placed in regional competition!

Five Cherokee County School District students are advancing to the state level of the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition!

Cherokee County School District young musicians recently performed together for the district’s second annual Middle School Honor Band program.

The 2024 Coach of the Year finalist for each of the CCSD Innovation Zones was named on Tuesday, with the county winner slated to be announced later in May.

Cherokee County School District students earned honors at the state Technology Student Association career skills competition, with top winners advancing to nationals!

Cherokee County School District students placed at the recent regional 4-H Competition, with one student now advancing to the statewide contest.

Nine Cherokee County School District students recently earned honors for their technology skills!

Four Cherokee County School District students recently graduated from a regional leadership program.

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

Cherokee County School District students recently demonstrated their science skills at a countywide competition!  More than 525 students from elementary schools throughout CCSD competed in the Cherokee County Science Olympiad, which offered 18 science challenges and the third annual CCSD Speed Building Competition.

Ten Cherokee County School District high school students have been selected for 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 in Statesboro.  

Whitney Morberg’s title at Etowah High School is school counselor, but that’s just her not-so-secret identity.  She’s actually a superhero.  She doesn’t don a cape and rescue students from the challenges of their lives -- she instead guides them to resources and opportunities so they can rescue themselves with her helping hand.

The Cherokee County School District has increased its Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives, to 41 this school year.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’re profiling each of the three new programs … this profile focuses on the Web Development program offered at River Ridge and Woodstock High Schools. 

Cherokee County School District high school and middle school students won seats in the prestigious Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Band, Chorus and Orchestra.

Two Cherokee County School District schools recently were recognized for their support of the Georgia Department of Education’s Georgia Schools Care project.

It’s Agriculture Week in Georgia and numerous CCSD schools celebrated the occasion with special activities.  R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy on Thursday welcomed the owners of Hunter Cattle Company, CCSD School Nutrition’s provider of grass-fed, grass-finished beef, for a special celebration.

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis, members of her staff and the school’s Principal and administrative team.  This month, the visit was to Boston Elementary School on Wednesday, where the group met with Principal Jessica Currie, visited classrooms and enjoyed a CCSD School Nutrition lunch from the cafeteria.  

Cherokee County School District students earned top honors at statewide career skills competitions!  High school students in various Career Pathway programs have the opportunity to join SkillsUSA co-curricular teams and participate in statewide learning and leadership events and competitions.

Woodstock HS student Tatum Schoonmaker, a senior in the school’s Fire and Emergency Services/Firefighting pathway, recently participated in a live burn training exercise with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services and its current recruit class.

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 District’s School Nutrition program is featured in a statewide culinary video series to showcase its innovative recipes!  CCSD School Nutrition Culinary Specialist Jessica Emmett is the focus of this month’s Georgia Department of Education’s Culinary Connections video broadcast that is shared with all school districts statewide.  

Cherokee County School District high school students last school year increased their participation and success in Advanced Placement college-level courses, earning international honors for their schools.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its latest class of AP Capstone graduates, including the first cohort from River Ridge High School and a perfect score by a Sequoyah High School student!

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

The Cherokee County School District Class of 2023 ACT scores increased and continued to exceed national and state averages!

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

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.  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 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 … 

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on General Automotive Technology, which is offered at Cherokee High School and Sequoyah High School.  Another automotive program, Transportation: Collision Repair - Painting and Refinishing, is offered at 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 regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

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.  Beginning this spring, the program also will be offered after school at Creekview HS through dual enrollment with Chattahoochee Tech.  It is one of five different Healthcare Science Career Pathway programs available in CCSD schools … 

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.