Education
Education

When is the first day of school in metro Atlanta districts?

Virginia-Highland Elementary
Fourth-grader Noelle Ewuakye thinks about her favorite movie after being asked by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, who was touring Compton Elementary School in Powder Springs on the first day of class Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.   (Ben Gray / Ben@BenGray.com)
Virginia-Highland Elementary
Compton Elementary School Principal Beth Lair looks over Charlie Vega’s letter to his future self on the first day of class Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Powder Springs.   (Ben Gray / Ben@BenGray.com)
Hope Wiggins, 10, works on a letter to her future self on the first day of class at Compton Elementary School in Powder Springs on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.   (Ben Gray / Ben@BenGray.com)
Investigator Khristia Bynum ensure a safe crossing. Parents and students arrive for the first day of school at Springdale Park Elementary School in Atlanta on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Bob Andres for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Parents and students arrive for the first day of school at Springdale Park Elementary School in Atlanta on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Bob Andres for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Compton Elementary School Principal Beth Lair walks the halls with Superintendent Chris Ragsdale on the first day of class Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Powder Springs.   (Ben Gray / Ben@BenGray.com)
Virginia-Highland Elementary
Parents and students arrive for the first day of school at Springdale Park Elementary School in Atlanta on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Bob Andres for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Ashley and fifth grader Sam Pollet walk to school for the first day of school at Springdale Park Elementary School in Atlanta on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Bob Andres for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Parents and students arrive for the first day of school at Springdale Park Elementary School in Atlanta on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Bob Andres for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Marietta High School TP
Marietta High School TP
Marietta High School TP
Marietta High School TP
Harmony Elementary First Day
Harmony Elementary First Day
Harmony Elementary First Day
Harmony Elementary First Day
1 / 20
Virginia-Highland Elementary Principal Terry Harness greets parents and students on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 1, 2023. (Steve Schaefer/steve.schaefer@ajc.com)
By AJC Staff – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
July 18, 2023

Here’s when some of metro Atlanta’s largest school districts will begin their first day of school:

Atlanta Public Schools: Tuesday, Aug. 1

Cherokee County: Tuesday, Aug. 1

Clayton County: Wednesday, Aug. 2

Cobb County: Tuesday, Aug. 1

City of Marietta, Wednesday, Aug. 2

DeKalb County: Monday, Aug. 7

City of Decatur, Tuesday, Aug. 1

Douglas County, Wednesday, Aug. 2

Fayette County: Thursday, Aug. 3

Forsyth County: Thursday, Aug. 3

Fulton County: Monday, Aug. 7

Gwinnett County: Wednesday, Aug. 2

City of Buford: Wednesday, Aug. 2

Henry County: Wednesday, Aug. 2

Rockdale County, Tuesday, Aug. 1

ExplorePhotos: Freddie Falcon welcomes DeKalb County students back to school
ExploreGwinnett County’s Harmony Elementary School celebrates 100 years
ExploreWhat's new this school year in metro Atlanta?
ExploreGeorgia colleges and universities: Fall 2023 first day of classes for colleges near metro Atlanta

About the Author

AJC Staff
More Stories

Keep Reading

“They are not criminals, and we should not be criminalizing them,” DeKalb Superintendent Devon Horton said during a news conference April 29, 2025, regarding the incident in which three students allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with a teacher. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

DeKalb superintendent: Students who allegedly hit teacher ‘are not criminals’

The district has been working to teach students conflict resolution skills.

Antisemitic party invite raises uproar at Savannah college

Jewish students at the Savannah College of Art and Design were shocked when they saw what appeared to be an antisemitic party invitation on social media.

BlackRock invests $1 million in Georgia workforce training

A two-year grant from the BlackRock Foundation will go to Georgia's technical schools to increase workforce training.

Featured

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, accompanied by Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith, provided an update to the press during a media tour at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. They discussed the new Simulation Center, which will enable officers to train for various crime scenarios, including domestic disputes, commercial robberies, and kidnappings. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez/AJC

After protests, lawsuits, and millions spent, Atlanta training center opens today

The state-of-the-art center became a flashpoint for activists, who formed a movement called “Stop Cop City.” One protester was shot by police and dozens more face charges.

A beloved Southern condiment is sandwiched between regions

Ownership of Duke’s Real Mayonnaise hasn’t been so stable lately. The most recent sale was in February to Northern-based private equity firm Advent International.

Antisemitic party invite raises uproar at Savannah college

Jewish students at the Savannah College of Art and Design were shocked when they saw what appeared to be an antisemitic party invitation on social media.