April 30, 2021
All High Schools in Douglas County Make List of Best High Schools in Nation by U.S. News & World Report
All high schools in Douglas County earned a spot on the U.S. News & World Report’s List of Best High Schools in America, which was released April 27, 2021. Chapel Hill High School, which ranked in the top 16% of schools in Georgia, topped the list for Douglas County. Chapel Hill ranked 78 out of 472 schools.

Chapel Hill, Douglas County, Alexander and New Manchester High Schools all ranked higher than any school in several surrounding counties, including Paulding and Haralson. Chapel Hill, Douglas County and Alexander ranked higher than any school in Carroll County. Chapel Hill and Douglas County ranked higher than Carrollton High School and any school in Troup County.

“I am extremely proud of the academic success of our high schools,” said Douglas County Superintendent Trent North. “The rankings are evidence that our teachers and administrators are moving in the right direction in regard to academic rigor and college and career readiness. It is encouraging to see our success in the rankings compared to other counties with great schools.”

Nationally, Chapel Hill ranked in the top 19%, Douglas County in the top 29% and Alexander in the top 39%.

Schools are ranked based on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. College readiness measures participation and performance on AP and IB exams.

U.S. News assigns a numerical rank to schools performing in the top 75%. Schools performing below the 25th percentile are listed alphabetically with a ranking range. To view the rankings, please click here.

Pictured above are CHHS science teachers Sandy Smith and Krystle Teal. Last summer they received training on the Anatomage Table, which is used in science classes at all DCSS high schools. It is the most technologically advanced anatomy visualization system and is used by universities and medical schools.
Students Win Special Awards in
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair
Fifteen students from Douglas County advanced to the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair. The fair was a virtual event this year, and winners were announced earlier this month.

While all 15 students from Douglas County won awards, two 8th grade students walked away with special honors.

Camille Scott from Chapel Hill Middle School won the Earth & Environmental Science Junior Division Best in Category award. Her project was also chosen to advance to the Broadcom Masters, which is the national science and engineering fair for middle school.

Nathaly Alvarez-Galdamez from Yeager Middle School won a special award from the National Association of Biology Teachers in the Junior Division.
School System to Display Memorial Pinwheel Garden in Honor of Loved Ones Lost to COVID-19
Community Members Are Invited to Participate
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone across the globe. As with medical professionals, emergency responders, essential workers, and others, the pandemic made a significant impact upon those working in education. Teachers taught both in person and online simultaneously, bus drivers enforced masks on buses and ensured a hygienic ride to school, custodians took on extra cleaning responsibilities, and administrators transformed their schools to ensure social distancing and other safety protocols.

Our students and families were also required to adjust to digital learning on Fridays, the absence of some traditional activities, and new rules at school and in athletics.

Some of our staff, families, and community members suffered the greatest loss – the passing of a loved one due to COVID-19.

To commemorate the loved ones lost to COVID-19, we invite our DCSS employees, students, families, and community members to participate in a Memorial Pinwheel Garden. You may go to the link below to fill out a form with the name of your loved one.

On June 2 at 10:00 a.m., we will have a memorial ceremony on the lawn of Douglas County School System’s new central office, 11490 Veterans Memorial Hwy. All employees and community members are invited to attend.

As we end this challenging school year, we hope the COVID-19 Memorial Pinwheel Garden will provide an opportunity for personal reflection as we honor those we have lost.

West GA Living Magazine Honors
DCSS Super Seniors
Outstanding seniors from each high school in Douglas County and surrounding counties were featured in the May-June issue of West Georgia Living magazine. These leaders of tomorrow, who have garnered many accolades for their talents and academic ability, have big plans for the future. These outstanding seniors will take their talents to Georgetown University, the University of Georgia and Howard University in a few months.

To read each student's story, please click here.
Jaden Cobb
Douglas County HS
Tiolulope Popoola
Lithia Springs HS
Wesley Smith
Alexander HS
Madison Bradley
New Manchester HS
Joann Obioma
Chapel Hill HS
We Need Your Opinion
We ask you, our parents, employees and community members, to please take a few moments to share your experiences and thoughts about the Douglas County School System.
Your answers are an important factor in helping to shape the future DCSS communications and to ultimately benefit the students, teachers, parents and community of Douglas County. The survey deadline is Friday, May 7.

Thank you in advance for your time!

Coming May 3: Registration for Kindergarten and Kindergarten Camp!
Kindergarten registration opens soon for our youngest scholars. Beginning Monday, May 3, click the link below for the kindergarten registration webpage. There you will find information about the documents needed for registration and a link to the online registration form.

In July, our incoming kindergartners have the opportunity to attend camp at their school for four days. They will learn their way around the school, participate in fun activities, enjoy breakfast and lunch and get to know the kindergarten teachers. They will be ready to learn on the first day of "real" school!

After you register your child for kindergarten and receive an application number, you may go to the Kindergarten Camp link, which will be available on the registration page beginning May 3. You must be registered for kindergarten and have the application number before you can register for Kindergarten Camp.

We are very excited to welcome the Class of 2034 to the DCSS family!


Thank a Teacher
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3-7

Let's shower our teachers with love next week! Knowing that our students and parents care about them means the world to our teachers.

Consider sending a text, email or card letting your child's teacher know that they are making a difference.
Time for Testing!
Georgia Milestones testing begins May 3. Students need a good night's sleep, a hearty breakfast and lots of encouragement as they begin testing.

Grades 3-5
May 3: Language Arts, Section 1
May 4: Language Arts, Sections 2 and 3
May 5: Math, Sections 1 and 2
May 6: Science, Sections 1 and 2 (5th Grade Only)
May 10: GMAS Make-up Day

Grades 6-8
May 3: ELA, Section 1
May 4: Language Arts, Sections 2 and 3
May 5: Math, Sections 1 and 2
May 6: Science, Sections 1 and 2 (8th Grade Only)
May 10: Social Studies, Sections 1 and 2 (8th Grade Only)
May 11: GMAS Make-up Day
May 11: EOC for Algebra I (8th Graders in Algebra I)
May 12: EOC Make-up for Algebra I

Grades 9-12
May 3: American Literature, Section 1
May 4: American Literature, Sections 2 and 3
May 5: Algebra, Sections 1 and 2
May 6: U.S. History, Sections 1 and 2
May 10: Biology, Sections 1 and 2
May 11: Make-up Day
Nora Nesbitt is an outstanding Fairplay Middle School Jaguar who always has a smile on her face and gives 100% effort in everything she does. She is a diligent student who is respected by her teachers and peers. Nora has earned all As all three years she’s been at Fairplay. Her teachers describe her as caring, honest, helpful, dependable and compassionate. While at Fairplay, Nora has participated in Chorus, Jr. Beta and cheerleading. We wish Nora the best as she continues her educational journey, and we look forward to hearing great things about her!
Upcoming Events
May 3: Kindergarten Registration Begins for 2021-2022
May 3: BOE Work Session
May 13: 6th Grade Orientation (Changed from May 6)
May 17: BOE Meeting
May 25, 26: Half Days for All Students
May 26: Semester Ends
May 26: Report Cards, Elementary Schools
May 26: LSHS Graduation, 8:00 p.m., LSHS Stadium
May 27, 28: Post Planning
May 27: DCHS Graduation, 8:00 a.m., NMHS Stadium
May 27: CHHS Graduation, 8:00 p.m., CHHS Stadium
May 28: AHS Graduation, 8:00 a.m., AHS Stadium
May 28: NMHS Graduation, 8:00 p.m., NMHS Stadium
May 31: Holiday for All
June 1, 2: Professional Learning
June 2: COVID Memorial Pinwheel Garden Ceremony, 10:00
June 4: Report Cards Mailed, Middle and High Schools
June 21: BOE Work Session/Board Meeting
Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below!
Douglas County School System |770-651-2000 | response@dcssga.org | dcssga.org