Greetings!

It’s hard to believe we are already approaching the halfway point of the semester. Across our schools, students and families are settling into the rhythms of fall—celebrating homecoming, exploring STEM nights, competing on athletic fields, performing on stages, and finding countless other ways to connect with their school communities. I hope you’re also taking time to get to know your child’s teachers, leaning into your PTOs and GO Teams, and enjoying that welcome stretch of the school year when routines are established and our schools are humming.

There is a lot happening across APS, and I’m excited to share a few updates from around the district and our community.

• Board Meeting on Monday, October 5 at 2:30 pm. Staff will provide an update on strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism, implementation of APS Forward, and a financial report. The agenda is here and you can stream the meeting live here.
• E-SPLOST Renewal Vote is Coming. Atlanta voters’ investment in the future of public education through E-SPLOST refreshes the bus fleet, modernizes technology and infrastructure, improves safety and security, and provides high-quality learning environments across the district. E-SPLOST remains one of the district’s most important tools for meeting the long-term needs of APS students and schools. More details are here.
• Fall Break. Take a moment to rest and recharge the week of October 12-16. The entire district calendar is here.

APS students achieved record results on AP exams this year, taking 6,829 exams—up from 5,651 in 2025. A record 4,138 exams earned a score of 3 or higher, an increase of 741, or 22%, from last year, bringing the districtwide qualifying rate to 61%. Even more encouraging, every APS school with AP results increased its number of qualifying scores. Exams taken by Black students earned 1,027 scores of 3 or higher—more than triple the 306 earned in 2023. More detail is here.

Free Food Distribution

APS families can receive free groceries at the Student Support Hub (601 Dr. Thomas Cole Jr. Way, SW). The next food distribution is Monday, October 26 from 10:30 am to 12 pm.

Capital Improvement Projects Planning

Stay abreast of progress on design work for major APS capital projects, including Midtown and Maynard Jackson High Schools.

Tune in for the State of the District

Celebrate key accomplishments and hear the Superintendent’s vision and goals for APS. The State of the District will be livestreamed on APStv on October 21 at 6 pm.

New Screen Time Policy In Place

Starting this school year, Atlanta Public Schools established new screen time limits for students during the school day, treating digital tools as a supplement to instruction.

Ken.Zeff@atlanta.k12.ga.us

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