View All News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cherokee County School District 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.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.  

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.