why equity matters in education

At redefinED atlanta, we are committed to transforming education and ensuring that every student in metro Atlanta has access to an equitable and high-quality public K-12 learning experience. One of the core values driving our mission is the belief that a great education is essential to a life of well-being, opportunity, and self-determination. All kids in Atlanta deserve the chance to attend a public school that helps them reach that dream.

Understanding equity

Equity in education goes beyond equal distribution; it involves providing each student with the resources and support they need to thrive, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, or zip code. In the context of Atlanta’s public school systems, ensuring equity means addressing historical disparities and creating an inclusive environment where every student has an equal opportunity to succeed.

The importance of equity in Atlanta's school system

Closing Achievement Gaps: Equity in education is crucial for closing achievement gaps that persist among students in Atlanta public schools. It’s been noted by the Georgia Department of Education that there are notable disparities in academic achievement based on socioeconomic factors. Focusing on equitable practices can bridge these gaps and ensure that all students, regardless of their circumstances, have the tools and opportunities needed to excel academically.
Promoting Inclusivity: Equity fosters a sense of inclusivity within Atlanta public schools. Data from the Atlanta Public Schools Equity and Inclusion Dashboard highlights the positive impact of an inclusive environment on student engagement and well-being. When students feel seen and valued for who they are, it positively impacts their academic performance and overall satisfaction with their educational experience.
Preparing for the Future: In a rapidly changing world, it is essential to equip all students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success. We know that an equitable education system prepares students for the challenges and opportunities they will face in the future, ensuring they are able to achieve economic stability and a life of choice and opportunity.

A Stark Reality: Racial Inequities and Limited Opportunities for Atlanta Public Schools

Today, Black children make up the vast majority of students in Atlanta Public Schools. It wasn’t intended to be that way.

The Atlanta City Council created APS in 1872, yet for close to 100 years children in Atlanta attended segregated schools. It wasn’t until 1961—seven years after the U.S. Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional—that Black students first desegregated Atlanta’s all-white high schools.

There hasn’t been much progress since then. Today, a child’s race is likely to indicate what part of Atlanta they will live in and whether they will live in poverty. White students predominantly attend schools in the north part of the district, and Black students mostly attend schools in the south. There are dramatic racial inequities in the city, and opportunity is limited. The percentage of Black children living in poverty is 12 times that of white children, and the percentage of Latinx children is 10 times that of white children. 7

APS operates as one school district spread across nine clusters, each with elementary and middle schools that feed into one high school. This idea of a unified school district conceals extraordinary inequities across the clusters.

For example:

The student mobility rate in the Douglass Cluster (35%) is 2.5x that in the Midtown Cluster (14%).
Median household income in the North Atlanta Cluster ($100,000) is nearly 5x that in the South Atlanta Cluster ($22,464).
The graduation rate is 92% in the North Atlanta Cluster as compared to 74% in the Washington Cluster.
There are even inequities within Clusters: the graduation rate is 92% at the Carver Early College as compared to 58% at Carver High School.

10 facts about Atlanta public schools

one:

Atlanta Public Schools has 103 learning sites, including 58 neighborhood schools, six partner schools, 17 charter schools, two citywide single-gender academies, and three alternative programs. ³

two:

District enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is approximately 51,000 students. ¹

three:

Almost 3%, or 2,000 students, in APS are English Language Learners. ¹

four:

As of 2019, more than 78% of students in Atlanta Public Schools qualified for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL). ¹

five:

Atlanta Public Schools has one of the largest racial achievement gaps in the country, which reflects one of the largest racial income gaps in the country. ¹

six:

The graduation rate in 2020 between Black and white students is nearly 20 points with 96.7% of white students graduating compared to 77.2% of Black students. Hispanic student graduation rates increased to 82.8%, but still almost 15 points behind their white peers.¹

seven:

Almost 30% of students in APS will move at least once during the school year. In the district’s lowest performing schools that number can be as high as 60%.¹

eight:

APS assigned 94% of all out-of-school suspensions and expulsions to Black students, which is a number disproportionately higher compared to Black student enrollment. ⁷

nine:

The rate of white students enrolled in gifted and talented courses for K-12 was six times that of Black students and 4 times that of Latinos. ⁴

ten:

75% of white students are enrolled in AP class compared to only 16% Black and 25% Latino students.⁷

Previous slide

Next slide

Join Us in Making a Difference

Equity in education truly matters. As we strive to redefine education in metro Atlanta, we invite you to join us in the journey towards equity. Your support and involvement can contribute to building a brighter future for all students in Atlanta’s public schools. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of our youth and the prosperity of our community.

APS cluster facts

Hover (desktop) or click/tap (mobile) to see data

	Carver	Douglass	Jackson
Enrollment	3,715	4,911	4,693
Enrollment by race	97% Black 2% Hispanic	95% Black 4% Hispanic	73% Black 16% White 7% Hispanic
Enrollment by Free and Reduced Lunch	78.5%	80%	68%
Graduation Rate	58% (Carver) 92% (Carver Early College)	76%	82%
Student Mobility Rate	33%	35%	16%
Median Household Income	$22,464	$41,895	$52,171
Three-year Average CCRPI Score	58%	54%	64%

	Mays	Midtown*	North Atlanta
Enrollment	3,943	7,667	5,237
Enrollment by race	92% Black 7% Hispanic	41% White 28% Black 23% Hispanic	53% White 28% Black 8% Hispanic
Enrollment by Free and Reduced Lunch	79%	79%	79%
Graduation Rate	78%	91%	92%
Student Mobility Rate	19%	14%	13%
Median Household Income	$29,156	$76,000	$100,000
Three-year Average CCRPI Score	64%	87%	82%

* Grady High School was renamed to Midtown High School in 2020 after Grady high school students petitioned to change the name due to Henry Grady’s white supremacist views.

	South Atlanta	Therrell	Washington
Enrollment	3,393	3,943	3,018
Enrollment by race	92% Black 7% Hispanic	92% Black 7% Hispanic	96% Black 2% Hispanic
Enrollment by Free and Reduced Lunch	82%	79%	79%
Graduation Rate	81%	80%	74%
Student Mobility Rate	25%	21%	26%
Median Household Income	$22,464	$29,156	$24,792
Three-year Average CCRPI Score	62%	61%	60%

Sources:

APS Insights. “Data Explorer.” APS Insights, https://apsinsights.org/data-explorer/, 2021.
Atlanta City Council. “Council Members: At a Glance: Census.” Atlanta City Council, https://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/council-members, 2021.
Atlanta Public Schools. “About Our Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools, https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/37053, 2020-21.
Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative. “Racial Wealth Gap.” Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, https://www.atlantawealthbuilding.org/racial-wealth-gap, 2020.
United States Census Bureau. “2010 Census.” U.S. Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/data/api.html, 2021.
United States Census Bureau. “American Community Survey 2015-19.” U.S. Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/data-profiles/, 2019.
Schott Foundation. “Loving Cities Index: Atlanta, Ga.” Schott Foundation, https://lovingcities.schottfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/atlanta.pdf, 2020.
Georgia Department of Education. “Data Reporting.” Georgia Department of Education, https://www.gadoe.org/Pages/Home.aspx, 2020.
Neighborhood Nexus. “City of Atlanta.” Neighborhood Nexus, https://neighborhoodnexus.org/maps-and-data/profiles/atlanta-neighborhood-profiles/, 2021.