DCHS Senior Nathan Zhu Accepted To Five of Nation’s Top Colleges

Douglas County High School International Baccalaureate Program senior Nathan Zhu has a big decision to make.

Zhu applied for admission to five of the top colleges in the country and was accepted into all five — Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Stanford, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.

He traveled to Boston last week to visit MIT and Harvard and will visit Stanford in California later this month. The deadline to make a decision is May 1, and Zhu said it’s likely he’ll wait until the last minute to make his final choice.

“I'm very honored to be accepted to these great schools,” said Zhu, whose older sister, Sammi, is a DCHS alumnus, the former District Overall STAR Student and a current sophomore at Harvard.

Zhu plans to major in engineering and calls MIT his “dream school.” He said MIT has a program where students there can cross-register for classes at Harvard and vice versa.

Being close to his sister in Boston is another reason Zhu said he’s leaning toward MIT.

Cost is another factor — Stanford has offered him $80,000 per year towards his college expenses, but the cost of living is higher in California, he said. MIT has offered him less — around $65,000 a year — but he said he hopes to get them to offer a little more in financial aid before he makes his final decision.

One of Zhu’s favorite teachers, Andrew Adams, also taught Sammi and said both siblings are driven, intelligent and humble. 

“Nathan and a lot of the other kids we've had, you know, are really kind of showcasing the impact we as teachers can have,” said Adams, who was just named DCHS’ 2024-25 Teacher of the Year.

Adams said Zhu has self-studied at Georgia Tech his last two semesters, on top of his regular class load.

“I think what helps Nathan stand out is he's shown that he's interested in learning for the sake of learning outside of the classroom through engaging with his distance learning at Georgia Tech (and) a lot of his own individual projects,” said Adams, who currently teaches Zhu in IB Biology and IB Design Technology.

And Zhu said he scored a 5 — the top score possible — on the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB and BC tests.



“I am pretty sure all of the admission officers are able to see, like they can tell, like OK, this guy isn't too bad at math,” Zhu said with a smile.

Six Douglas County Seniors Named 2024 Georgia Scholars

The Georgia Department of Education has recognized 177 graduating seniors from across the state as 2024 Georgia Scholars. Superintendent Trent North and the Douglas County School System are proud to have six students recognized for achieving this academic distinction. 

Students recognized as 2024 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education include: 

• Anthony Douglas, Douglas County High School
• Roshan Patel, Lithia Springs High School 
• Brooklyn Crabtree, Alexander High School 
• Jasin Singh, Alexander High School
• Taylor Slatton, Alexander High School
• Madison Thomas, Alexander High School

Students eligible for Georgia Scholar recognition are high school seniors who exhibit excellence in all phases of school life and in community activities. These distinguished students have taken on rigorous academic coursework, excelled in their studies, participated in interscholastic events and played an active role in their school’s extracurricular activities. Students selected as Georgia Scholars will receive a seal on their diplomas when they graduate. 

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Chelsie Goodman says the students’ stellar achievements have made the Douglas County School System proud. “I am overjoyed that six of Douglas County’s shining examples of academic greatness were recognized by the state,” she explains. “Once again, I am excited that the state has acknowledged not only the hard work of these students but also the hard work and dedication of our teachers and schools that continue to ensure our students excel every day.” 

The Georgia Department of Education coordinates the Georgia Scholar program in partnership with local districts and schools.

Mason Creek Middle Celebrates Academic Excellence with Magnet Signing Day

Parents, students and teachers proudly filled the media center at Mason Creek Middle School April 10 to witness Magnet Academic Signing Day for 31 rising freshmen. The exciting event recognizes students who have been accepted into the high school magnet program of their choice. 

Students were all smiles as their names were announced, receiving certificates and signing letters of intent for their selected magnet programs. The special occasion was orchestrated similarly to an athletic signing day, aiming to inspire scholars regarding their future aspirations for high school.  

“The Annual MCMS Magnet Signing Day is a day where we shine a spotlight on our eighth grade students who have been accepted and committed to one of the DCSS high school programs,” said Principal Dr. Tiffany Weaver of Mason Creek Middle School. “Not only do we want to celebrate our students' dedication to their academic future, we want to inspire our younger students. It’s a momentous occasion for each student as well as their parents, and we’re honored to be a part of it,” she added.  

Many of the students are advancing their high school academic endeavors at the College and Career Institute (CCI), Douglas County High School (International Baccalaureate) and Alexander High School (Liberal Arts College Preparatory). 

Congratulations to all the students who have been accepted into their desired programs!  

Community Partners Join Factory Shoals Middle in Enhancing School Garden

The Sigma Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Incorporated recently joined students and staff at Factory Shoals Middle School to transform their community garden into a vibrant space of learning. School gardens are known to encourage teamwork, individual responsibility and a commitment to success as students witness the direct impact of their efforts on the garden’s growth and productivity.  

Media Specialist Katrina Barnett expressed sincere gratitude for the sorority members' commitment and contributions, bringing their garden to life. 

“As a media specialist, I believe that a beautiful and inspiring outdoor space can greatly contribute to a positive learning environment. Their efforts have not only made our garden visually appealing but have also created a space where students can connect with nature and explore their creativity. Your efforts have made a lasting impact on our students and staff,” she added. 

Research suggests school gardens can make lasting differences in the lives of children, fostering respect and concern for the overall environment. The lessons taught through these outdoor learning laboratories transcend gardening to impact children, their families and entire communities for years to come.

WES’ Strickland Receives Ag In The Classroom Rockstar Teacher Award

Winston Elementary School second grade teacher Cherise Strickland has been recognized with the Ag In The Classroom Rockstar Teacher (AITC) Award for her work teaching the importance of agriculture to the next generation.

Board members from Douglas County Farm Bureau, including South Douglas Elementary music teacher Natalie Murray, presented Strickland with a certificate and flowers at Winston’s staff meeting on April 11.

Strickland will also get an all-expenses paid trip to Utah this summer to participate in the National AITC Conference.

“She has done amazing things with incorporating Ag in her classroom this year, from raising chicken eggs, growing seedlings to plant in the school garden, to participating in the virtual Adopt-a-Cow Program through the Discover Dairy organization,” Murray said.  

The contest is now in its fourth year. Murray said she started it after getting a chance to attend the national conference when it was in Arkansas about five years ago.

Murray said the contest will be available to teachers in DCSS every school year. 

“DC Farm Bureau also offers a wide variety of books and resources absolutely FREE to any teacher wanting to incorporate Ag in their classroom,” Murray said.

Brandy Foran Named DCSS Bus Driver of the Year

Six-year veteran bus driver Brandy Foran takes pride in taking care of the hundreds of students she gets safely to and from school each day.

Foran was rewarded for her dedication to her job during a ceremony on April 11 when she was named the Douglas County School System’s 2023-2024 Bus Driver of the Year.

She received a check for $250, a plaque and other gifts from DCSS Director of Transportation E.W. Tolbert as part of the honor.

“Brandy Foran is always helpful, always ready to assist another driver, very knowledgeable and could not ask for a better person,” Tolbert said.

Foran said she started driving a bus because it allowed her to work around her children’s school schedules. 

She said she works 11-12 hours a day and puts about 1,000 miles a week on her bus.

Her day starts at 6 a.m. when she runs her first route picking up students going to Bill Arp Elementary and ends around 6 or 7 p.m. when she’s finished with her last two routes taking students home from the After School programs at Arbor Station and Yeager.

“Safety, taking care of the kids, letting them know that there's another adult that's going to be always seen, knowing that they'll be able to get home safely,” Foran said when asked about what makes her a good bus driver. “Knowing I know where they live. They don't have nothing to worry about. Those kinds of things. Just reassurance that they're safe — that's the biggest thing.”

Classroom Corner

DCSS Celebrates Perfect ACT Score, College Signings

The Douglas County School System is full of outstanding juniors and seniors who are excelling in academics, athletics and the arts. 

At Douglas County High School, Mason Mifflin is setting the standard of excellence. The junior scored a perfect score on his ACT. 

Meanwhile, at Alexander High School, several students will continue their athletic careers at the college level. Kamdyn Frazier recently received a cheerleading scholarship from Xavier University in New Orleans, while Katrina Buckalew received a soccer scholarship from Albany State.  

And at Chapel Hill High School, three student athletes celebrated their athletic achievements. Lucas Davis (football), Jordan Owens (cross country, track and flag football) and Alex Teal (football and track) will all play sports at the next level with scholarships from Warner University in Florida. 

Student Spotlight

Janiya Campbell is an outstanding fifth grade student at South Douglas Elementary. The young scholar’s fifth grade teachers describe her as a well-rounded student who excels academically and socially.  

“She is a friend to everyone and makes those around her feel welcome and included.”

Janiya strives for academic success every day. In fact, she is looking forward to middle school as she eagerly awaits the opportunity to dissect things in science and gain more insight about dates and presidents in social studies. Science is Janiya’s favorite subject because she enjoys hands-on activities and experiments.  

In addition to being an academic scholar, Janiya participates in many extracurricular activities including chorus, roadrunners and garden club.  

Outside of school she enjoys gymnastics, art, dance, traveling, and singing at church. Although her favorite place to visit is the mountains, she has traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas and Niagara Falls. 

Janiya aspires to launch her own book club in the future and is even contemplating publishing her own book one day! South Douglas Elementary is so proud to call Janiya a Bear Cub!

Chapel Hill Girls Tennis Team Reaches State Playoffs for Third-Straight Season

The hard work and dedication are paying off for Chapel Hill High School’s girls tennis team.

Led by a crop of junior singles players, the Lady Panthers have made it to the state playoffs in three-straight seasons and earlier this week got to host a state playoff match for the first time in Carrie Gable’s seven years as coach.

“It was a big deal for them,” said Gable, whose team finished second in the region and hosted Flowery Branch on Tuesday in the first round of state action. 

Madison Andrews at No. 1 singles and Lailah Rahman at No. 2 singles both won their playoff matches.

“They are both extremely competitive players and honestly they are neck-and-neck,” Gable said. “Madison is the boisterous one, she’s hitting the winners that are barely going over the net. And you have Lailah, who has a consistent stroke every single time.”

Riley Orndorff at No. 3 singles and Gabrielle Walker at No. 1 doubles are among Gable’s other junior standouts. Alexandra Telfort at No. 1 doubles is the only senior on the team. Telfort has played all four years of high school and will be missed next season.

Sophomores Natalie Turner and Caitlyn Williams at No. 2 doubles are also standouts who will be back.

“I’m hoping we can go all the way next year,” Gable said.

Key Dates

• April 24: Progress Reports (elementary & middle schools)
• May 22: Report Cards (elementary schools

Family Resources

2024 Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration will begin on Wednesday, May 1st. Click here to Register Online.

DCSS Community Bulletin Board

Looking for a great weekend event, after-school care, or a new activity? Check out DCSS' Community Bulletin Board at the link above to learn all about events and activities occurring in Douglas County.

Douglas SEES

DCSS offers several resources for student health, wellness and support through the Douglas SEES website. Visit the link above to learn more about the resources available to students and families.

DCSS Family Health Center

DCSS' Family Health Center is a resource for families and staff within the school system. The center is located on the lower level of Burnett Elementary School and offers several services. Click here to learn more.