We have a lot to be grateful for in Gwinnett County: an economy that continues to thrive; attractive, safe neighborhoods; numerous parks, shopping, and recreational availabilities; and great public schools.
Gwinnett's schools, in fact, are one of the major reasons why so many families and businesses choose to live or locate in the county. The adage that good schools build good communities couldn't be more true than it is right here in Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is widely regarded as a premier school system—but it has its sights set on becoming "a system of world-class schools."
The foundation has been laid and the path is clearly marked for bringing that vision to reality. A relentless focus on teaching and learning, coupled with solid financial stewardship and overall operational excellence, makes Gwinnett's school system a standout in the state, the region, and the nation.
The largest school system in Georgia for the last several years, GCPS' enrollment grows by about 7,000 students each year, bringing the total to date to over 156,000 students.
To accommodate the growth, community support has been needed in recent years in the form of voter approval of funding to build classrooms. That support was overwhelmingly given in 1997, 2001, and again in 2006 when voters gave voted nearly 3 to 1 in favor of special purpose local option sales taxes (SPLOST) for education.
Most important among the school system's many accomplishments is its strong showing in student academic achievement.
Gwinnett County Public Schools has continued to raise the bar year after year, and can boast of test scores that top state and national results and set new performance records in some cases. The school system has done so by combining a rigorous curriculum, the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS), with exceptional teaching and meaningful assessments to form a comprehensive instructional program. At the heart of the program is the student and his or her academic success.
Results from the most recent standardized assessments are evidence that the system's focus on teaching and learning is having the desired impact on student achievement.
It’s a fact that Gwinnett's students excel not only in the classroom but also in extracurricular activities. Whether it's in athletics, fine arts, or scholastic competitions, Gwinnett’s representatives shine!
In addition, GCPS educators and their schools continually earn recognition for outstanding achievement. The high-caliber staff, students, and programs of GCPS are reflected in the numerous state and national awards they routinely receive. For a brief sampling of recent honors, check out the school system's Web page at www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
A quality education in today's world means a world-class education, and that is what Gwinnett County Public Schools strives to deliver to every child, every day, in every classroom throughout the county.
Make it a point to learn more about your school system and its efforts to become a system of world-class schools.
