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Cherokee County School District students placed at the recent regional 4-H Competition, with one student now advancing to the statewide contest.  The 4-H extra-curricular program, sponsored locally by the UGA Cooperative Extension Office, offers students the opportunity to learn new skills, improve their teamwork and leadership skills and serve their community.  Thank you to 4-H for its valued partnership!

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 Sequoyah HS delegate.  #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.

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.

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. 

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.  

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.

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

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.

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. 

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

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

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.  

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.

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.    

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!  #NSCW2024 #ElevateTheExcellence

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.

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!

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.  

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.

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
 

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

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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! 

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

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

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!

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

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

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 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. 

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

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

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 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!

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.  

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.

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

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.

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.

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 … 

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.  

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 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 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 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 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 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:  

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.

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 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.