District profile / Georgia
Atlanta Public Schools
49,945
Students
2024-25 school year
87
Schools
2024-25 school year
$18,492
Spending per student
FY2020-21 · 54% above the Georgia median
12.1
Students per teacher
2024-25 · Georgia median 13.9
Atlanta Public Schools is a public school district based in Atlanta, Georgia, serving 49,945 students in 87 schools. By enrollment it ranks #7 of the 160 Georgia districts with 1,000 or more students, larger than about 96% of them. Its schools average 574 students each, fewer than the Georgia median of 662. Its superintendent is Bryan Johnson. It spends about $18,492 per student on day-to-day operations, 54% more than the Georgia median. It has roughly 12.1 students per teacher. We've matched 29 news stories to the district.
How Atlanta compares
AtlantaGeorgia median, districts with 1,000+ students
Spending and staffing
Where the money comes from$1.13 billion in revenue · FY2020-21
Federal 8%State 17%Local 74%
| Measure | Atlanta | Georgia median | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current spending per student | $18,492 | $11,989 | FY2020-21 |
| Instruction spending per student | $10,804 | $7,267 | FY2020-21 |
| Total spending | $1.04 billion | n/a | FY2020-21 |
| Total revenue | $1.13 billion | n/a | FY2020-21 |
| Teachers (full-time equivalent) | 4,111 | n/a | 2024-25 |
| Total staff (full-time equivalent) | 9,746 | n/a | 2024-25 |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 13.9 | 2024-25 |
| Students per counselor | 305 | 425 | 2024-25 |
Spending: NCES school district finance survey (F-33), FY2020-21. Staffing and enrollment: NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25. Via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. The Georgia median compares districts with 1,000 or more students.
Leadership
Moves tracker →Bryan Johnson
Source: Georgia School Superintendents Association member directory, checked 2026-10-05. Report a change
Recent news: Metro Atlanta superintendent to depart at end of year (WSB-TV, November 11, 2026)
In the news
29 stories matchedTeaching & learning
Another metro Atlanta school district proposes consolidating five schools amid declining enrollment
School safety
Metro Atlanta schools: Lockdowns lifted after threats
School safety
Potential threats put 3 Atlanta schools on lockdown
Leadership
Metro Atlanta superintendent to depart at end of year
School safety
Former NFL player brings mental health talks to metro Atlanta schools
School safety
Atlanta schools evacuated after fake bomb threats
School safety
4 Atlanta schools in the clear after bomb threats prompted evacuation
School safety
Atlanta schools evacuated and locked down after Monday morning threats
Budget & finance
Metro Atlanta school district set to benefit from $925 million sales tax renewal
Teaching & learning
Metro Atlanta school district launches new program for out-of-district students
Infrastructure
Atlanta Public Schools completes $18M high school renovation
Infrastructure
Atlanta Public Schools completes renovations at South Atlanta High School
School safety
A shooting in south Atlanta prompted a brief lockdown of area schools Wednesday afternoon, according to an Atlanta Public Schools spokesperson. #atlantanewsfirst #crimewatchatlanta
Teaching & learning
Guest Column: Urge Atlanta students to get As, but protect them from breathing F-rated air
Leadership
Atlanta Public Schools superintendent talks priorities in district address
School safety
Atlanta Public Schools highlights bus safety features
Teaching & learning
Atlanta Public Schools expands career, college pathways for high school students
Teaching & learning
Metro Atlanta schools claim most of Georgia’s top spots in new U.S. News rankings
Budget & finance
Atlanta Public Schools pushes for $100K average teacher salary, highlights record graduation rate
Infrastructure
‘Just Aren’t Enough Kids’: Choice Schools Feel Effects of Low Birth Rates, Too
Teaching & learning
What percentage of students in Atlanta Public Schools are proficient in reading?
Teaching & learning
Man who fell to death at Six Flags Over Georgia was beloved father, Atlanta Public Schools employee
Teaching & learning
Six Flags death: Metro Atlanta school district mourns longtime educator
Teaching & learning
Man killed in roller coaster incident at Six Flags identified as Atlanta Public Schools employee
Teaching & learning
Six Flags victim was ‘cherished’ educator with Atlanta Public Schools
Teaching & learning
Atlanta Public Schools student hit on e-bike
Teaching & learning
Metro Atlanta school district to take over arena management at end of year
Infrastructure
Atlanta Public Schools community protests district’s communication over school closures
Teaching & learning
Atlanta Public Schools launches new literacy pilot to help young students read faster
Peer districts in Georgia
Compare side by side →| District | Students | Schools | Spending per student | Students per teacher | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth CountyCumming | 54,864 | 42 | $10,321 | 15.7 | #5 |
| Clayton CountyJonesboro | 51,055 | 67 | $11,027 | 14.8 | #6 |
| Atlanta Public SchoolsAtlanta · this district | 49,945 | 87 | $18,492 | 12.1 | #7 |
| Henry CountyMcDonough | 43,012 | 53 | $10,537 | 15.8 | #8 |
| Cherokee CountyCanton | 42,031 | 37 | $11,358 | 14.4 | #9 |
Similar-size districts nationally
| District | Students | Spending per student | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Public SchoolsSeattle, WA | 50,773 | $17,985 | 16.5 |
| Mobile CountyMobile, AL | 49,946 | $10,755 | 17.7 |
| Corona-Norco UnifiedNorco, CA | 49,487 | $12,310 | 24.0 |
| St. Lucie CountyPort St Lucie, FL | 49,308 | $10,361 | 19.4 |
Peers are the districts closest in enrollment, so they can still differ in many other ways. Enrollment, school counts and phone numbers are from the NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25.
Printed from Superintendent's Corner: https://superintendentscorner.com/district-ga-atlanta-public-schools