Public Education In Cobb

Cobb is served by two separate school districts: the Cobb County School District (CCSD) and Marietta City Schools (MCS). CCSD is the second largest school system in the state and educates more than 108,000 students each year. With two special education centers, one adult education center and one performance learning center—CCSD employs more than 13,000 teachers, counselors and administrators. Since 1984, CCSD has had 56 schools named Georgia Schools of Excellence and 22 named National Blue Ribbon Schools. Marietta City Schools teaches nearly 9,000 students in the district’s eight elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Though it is a small system, it has garnered more than its share of accolades over the years. U.S. News & World Report has named Marietta High School one of the best high schools in the country for four years running. The Washington Post bestowed a similar honor in 2013 by naming Marietta High to its list of the country’s most challenging high schools. MCS students consistently score in the top percentiles of the state’s standardized Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT), as well as SAT and ACT.

With so many great schools across the county, Cobb students are sure to be prepared for their college and professional careers. Here is a quick look at just some of the county’s top schools; for additional information, including zoning, be sure to check out the systems’ websites (www.cobb.k12.ga.us; www.marietta-city.k12.ga.us).

Cobb County Schools cobbk12.org
(770) 426-3300
Number of Schools:
68 Elementary
25 Middle
16 High
12 Special Programs
Charter School System
Total # of Students: 112,708

Shallowford Falls Elementary
Reading is a high priority at Shallowford Falls: In 2012 (the most recent year for which data is available), 100 percent of students met or exceeded the CRCT standards for reading. The school’s reading bowl team recently placed fourth in a divisional competition.

Timber Ridge Elementary
East Cobb’s Timber Ridge Elementary enrolls approximately 600 students in grades K through 5. In 2012 (the most recent year for which data is available), 100 percent of students met or exceeded the CRCT standards for reading.

Hightower Trail Middle
In 2003, the school was named a Georgia School of Excellence. Hightower also participates in the Partners for Education Program, which pairs local business leaders with students for one-on-one reading and tutoring.

Mabry Middle
Mabry Middle recently received the designation of No Place for Hate from the Anti-Defamation League’s Southeast Region for its efforts to promote acceptance among students and staff. It is the first middle school in the county to receive this designation.

Lassiter High
A Georgia School of Excellence four times over, Lassiter enrolls nearly 2,000 students. The school has been awarded AP Merit School status because more than 20 percent of its student body takes advanced placement exams each year, with 50 percent scoring a 3 or higher.

Walton High (charter)
This charter school consistently tops the charts for standardized test scores and AP exam scores. In 2010, Walton students earned the highest ACT scores in the state. Walton is also the only school in the county to offer a nationally certified pre-engineering program.

Marietta City Schools Marietta-city.org
(770) 422-3500
Number of Schools: 7 Elementary 1 Sixth Grade1 Middle
1 High
1 Magnet
Charter School System
Total # of Students: 8,800

Marietta Center for Advanced Academics
As the state’s first certified science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) school, the Center gives students an accelerated, technology-based education. All students must meet strict academic requirements in order to be admitted to and remain in the program.

Marietta Middle
The school moved into a new, renovated facility in 2002 that includes two gymnasiums, five computer labs and three science labs for its 1,200 students.

Marietta High
Marietta High was established in 1892 and now has a student population of nearly 2,000. Nearly 80 percent of its teachers have master’s degrees or higher, and the school recently earned recognition from the Georgia Department of Education for its AP classes and exams for the fifth year in a row.