The City of Austell, like all municipalities in Cobb County, with the exception of the City of Marietta, is served by the Cobb County School District. The Cobb District is Georgia's third largest and the 28th largest in the United States. In the 2000/2001 school year, there were approximately 95,718 students spread through 103 elementary, middle, and high schools. The system also provides an open campus high school (grades 10 through 12), a special education center (Kindergarten through grade 12), an alternative school (grades 6 through 12), and an adult education center. All schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The school system is governed by a seven member elected Board of Education, which appoints a superintendent. Local, State, and Federal funds comprise its operating budget which was approximately $589,463,835 for 2000/2001. The Board of Education has independent authority to establish a tax rate for educational support.
Comprehensive programs at the kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school levels are complemented by several programs adapted to meet the special needs of students. Student support teams offer guidance and assistance to individual students experiencing a variety of problems. The program has served as a state model and has won national recognition. To date 13 Cobb County schools have been named National Schools of Excellence and 17 Cobb County schools have been named Georgia Schools of Excellence.
Special education offers opportunities tailored to meet a student's needs. These programs for students include accelerated learning, learning for the disabled, mentally handicapped, behaviors disorders, speech and language disorders, visually and/or hearing impaired, orthopedically handicapped, and other health problems.
Enrollment Information
- Georgia law requires that students be five years old on or before September 1 to be eligible for Kindergarten. First grade students must be six years old on or before September 1.
- Georgia law requires that every child entering a Georgia school for the first time have (1) a Certificate of Immunization showing that the child has adequate protection against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus (lockjaw), polio, measles, rubella (German measles), varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B and mumps; and (2) an ear, eye and dental screening. A social security number may be requested, but is not mandatory. Every child entering kindergarten and the first grade must present a birth certificate.
- Georgia law requires that every child entering a Georgia school for the first time have (1) a Certificate of Immunization showing that the child has adequate protection against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus (lockjaw), polio, measles, rubella (German measles), varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B and mumps; and (2) an ear, eye and dental screening. A social security number may be requested, but is not mandatory. Every child entering kindergarten and the first grade must present a birth certificate.
- The Certificate of Immunization must be signed by a physician licensed under the laws of Georgia or by a qualified employee of a county health department on forms provided by the Georgia Department of Human Resources (Form 3031).
- All students entering the sixth grade must have an updated certificate showing proof of two measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations administered since the first birthday.
- A child who cannot be immunized because of a physical disability can be given a special certificate by a licensed physician or a county health department. If a child is not immunized for religious reasons, a waiver must be obtained for this exemption from the Cobb County Board of Education.
- A student transferring to a Cobb County school from another state or country must obtain a certificate from the Cobb County Health Department or a Georgia licensed physician. A parent may present a written record attested to by a licensed physician or an authorized representative of a health agency of another state or country that adequate immunizations have been received by the student. The Cobb County Health Department will place the record on file and issue a Certificate of Immunization, and the student can be admitted to school.
- School District Policy (JBCC) requires that students attend the elementary, middle, and high school that serve their residence. To determine which schools serve a residence, contact the Cobb County School District's Transportation Office at (770) 528-6500. A street address will be needed to determine the schools.