Georgia became the first state to charter a state-supported university when the general assembly approved the incorporation of the University of Georgia on January 27, 1785. A year earlier, the legislature had set aside 40,000 acres of land as an endowment for an institution of higher learning. Abraham Baldwin, a Connecticut native and Yale University graduate, was elected president of the university at the inaugural meeting of the board of trustees in 1786.
The University of Georgia was officially established in 1801 on 633 acres in northeastern Georgia. Josiah Meigs was named president. The first class graduated in 1804 from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Today, the university offers degrees in agriculture, law, pharmacy, forestry, journalism, veterinary medicine, international affairs, public health, business, environmental sciences, and many other fields.
Other colleges soon followed. In 1931, all of the state-supported institutions of higher learning were placed under the University System of Georgia, which consists of a board of regents and a chancellor. Each individual institution has its own executive officers.
Founded in 1831, LaGrange College is the oldest private college in Georgia. Located approximately 65 miles southwest of Atlanta, the four-year liberal arts and sciences college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. In 1833, Baptist-affiliated Mercer College was founded in Macon.
The earliest African-American colleges and universities in Georgia were established immediately following the Civil War. Atlanta University began in 1865, Morehouse College in 1867, Clark College in 1869, and Spelman College in 1881. In 1988, Clark College and Atlanta University merged as Clark Atlanta University. All are separate institutions with separate trustees, faculty, and traditions. Morehouse is for men only, Spelman is for women, and Clark Atlanta is coeducational. Together with Morehouse School of Medicine and the Interdenominational Theological Center, these schools make up the Atlanta University Center, the world’s largest consortium of African-American private institutions of higher education.
Students considering higher education in Georgia have an incredible variety of choices. Encompassing 35 colleges and universities, the University System of Georgia is one of the largest public university systems in the country. Two of the schools—the University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology—are among the top 20 public research institutions in the United States. In addition, students can choose among 33 public technical colleges and more than 40 private colleges and universities, including prestigious Emory University and Agnes Scott College.
International students make up a significant percentage of the state’s college population. In 2007, more than 19,344 students from 194 countries were enrolled in University System of Georgia institutions.
One of the big advantages of living in Georgia is the HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship. Created during Governor Zell Miller’s term, HOPE is a merit-based scholarship funded by the Georgia Lottery. Any student who graduates from a high school in the state with at least a B (3.0) average is eligible for full tuition and fees, plus $300 a year for books, at any public university, college, or technical school in Georgia. The scholarship is renewed every year that the student maintains a B average. The scholarship also pays up to $3,000 for tuition at private schools.
Here is a list of selected Georgia colleges and universities, including brief descriptions and recent information on tuition and enrollment. Tuition figures are for undergraduates for a full academic year, including fees. Out-of-state tuition is included for state-supported institutions. Enrollment figures are for undergraduates. Financial figures are for 2007–2008, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, and are subject to change.
Agnes Scott College 141 East College Avenue, Decatur, Ga. 30030 (404-471-6000; www.agnesscott.edu). Founded in 1899 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Agnes Scott College is an independent liberal arts college for women. Undergraduate students represent 43 states and 23 countries. Approximately 40 percent study abroad before they graduate. Tuition is $27,387; enrollment is 910.
Albany State University 504 College Drive, Albany, Ga. 31705 (229-430-4600; www.asurams.edu). This historically African-American institution was founded in 1903 as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institution by Joseph Winthrop Holley to provide religious and industrial education for African-Americans in southwestern Georgia. In 1996, it became Albany State University. It offers seven undergraduate degree programs, including nursing, education, and criminal justice. Tuition is $3,470 for Georgia residents and $12,074 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 3,668.
Atlanta College of Art 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30309 (404-733-5001; www.aca.edu/). Established in 1905, the Atlanta College of Art offers courses in art, design, cinematography, photography, computer graphics, and web design. Tuition is $18,400; enrollment is 330.
Atlanta Intercontinental University 6600 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, 500 Embassy Row, Atlanta, Ga. 30328 (888-379-5888; www.aiuniv.edu/). With campuses in Dunwoody and Buckhead, AICU provides flexible scheduling for students seeking an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business, criminal justice, health-care management, design, or information technology. Tuition is $26,386.
Augusta State University 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, Ga. 30904 (800-341-4373; www.aug.edu/). Located in the second-largest city in the state, Augusta State University offers an extensive liberal arts curriculum combined with practical, hands-on experience. Tuition is $3,404 for Georgia residents and $12,008 for out-of-state students.
Berry College P.O. Box 490159, Mount Berry, Ga. 30149 (706-232-5374; www.berry.edu/). Martha Berry founded this private liberal arts college in 1902 for the purpose of giving educational opportunities to rural Georgians. Located near Rome, Berry College offers more than 30 undergraduate majors and dual-degree programs in engineering and medicine in association with the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. Tuition is $20,570; enrollment is 2,008.
Beulah Heights University 892 Berne Street SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30316 (404-627-2681; www.beulah.org/). Beulah Heights is a Bible college offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in biblical education and urban studies. Tuition is $6,530; enrollment is 650.
Brenau University 500 Washington Street SE, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 (770-534-6299; www.brenau.edu/). Brenau is a private liberal arts college for women that also offers coeducational evening, weekend, and online courses. Tuition is $17,700; enrollment is 696.
Brewton-Parker College 201 David-Eliza Fountain Circle, Mount Vernon, Ga. 30445 (912-583-2241; www.bpc.edu/). Founded in 1904, Brewton-Parker is a four-year Christian college affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention. It offers five baccalaureate degrees, including Christian studies. Tuition is $14,050; enrollment is 1,050.
Brown-Mackie College 6600 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30328 (770-510-2310; www.brownmackie.edu/). Part of a national chain of colleges, the institution in Atlanta offers five baccalaureate degrees in areas such as criminal justice, business administration, and health care management. Tuition is $9,303.
Carver Bible College 3870 Cascade Road SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30331 (404-527-4520; www.carver.edu/). Carver was established in 1943 to meet the needs of black students seeking an education in theology. It offers Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as associate’s degrees. Tuition is $6,000.
Clark Atlanta University 223 James P. Brawley Drive SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30314 (404-880-8000; www.cau.edu/). Part of the Atlanta University Center, Clark Atlanta is a predominantly African-American liberal arts institution offering bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Tuition is $16,100; enrollment is 3,681.
Clayton State University 2000 Clayton State Boulevard, Morrow, Ga. 30260 (678-466-4000; www.clayton.edu/). U.S. News & World Report has ranked Clayton State University as having the most diverse student population among baccalaureate-level colleges and universities in the South. Founded in 1969, the rapidly growing institution is also a pioneer in mobile computing; it was the third public university in the nation to require that each student have access to a notebook computer. Tuition is $3,582 for Georgia residents and $12,186 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 6,000.
Columbus State University 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, Ga. 31907 (706-568-2001; www.colstate.edu/). Founded in 1958 as a junior college, this school became the four-year institution known as Columbus State University in 1965. Columbus State offers more than 50 undergraduate programs and more than 35 master’s or specialist’s programs ranging from art and premed to criminal justice. Tuition is $3,514 for Georgia residents and $12,118 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 7,224.
Covenant College 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Ga. 30750 (706-820-1560; www.covenant.edu/). A Presbyterian-affiliated institution with a strong emphasis on theology, Covenant College was founded in Pasadena, California, in 1955 and moved to Lookout Mountain in 1964. Major courses of study include English, business, psychology, education, prelaw, premed, prenursing, and biblical studies. Tuition is $22,830; enrollment is 1,287.
Dalton State College 650 College Drive, Dalton, Ga. 30720 (706-272-4436; www.daltonstate.edu/). Established in 1963, Dalton State College offers a variety of courses in business, education, nursing, technical education, and liberal arts. Tuition is $2,088 for Georgia residents and $7,704 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 4,349.
Emmanuel College 118 Spring Street, Franklin Springs, Ga. 30639 (706-245-7226; www.ec.edu/). Founded in 1919 by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Emmanuel College is a private, four-year Christian college with an evangelical foundation. Undergraduate majors include Christian ministries, education, psychology, music, and science. Tuition is $11,566; enrollment is 656.
Emory University 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30322 (404-727-6036; www.emory.edu/). Recognized as one of the most prestigious private universities in the country, Emory is home to nine major academic divisions, including professional schools of medicine, theology, law, nursing, public health, and business. Author Salman Rushdie and the Dalai Lama have been among the school’s recent visiting professors. Tuition is $34,336; enrollment is 6,646.
Fort Valley State University 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, Ga. 31030 (478-825-6211; www.fvsu.edu/). This predominantly African-American university offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 50 majors and master’s degrees in education and counseling. Tuition is $3,558 for Georgia residents and $12,162 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 2,558.
Georgia College & State University 231 West Hancock Street, Milledgeville, Ga. 31061 (478-445-5004; www.gcsu.edu/). Founded in 1889 as Georgia Normal & Industrial College and later named Georgia College for Women, this school became Georgia College & State University in 1996. It offers more than 36 undergraduate degrees and 25 graduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, business, education, and health sciences. Tuition is $5,066 for Georgia residents and $17,688 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 5,125.
Georgia Gwinnett College 1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043 (678-407-5000; www.ggc.usg.edu/). In 2005, Gwinnett College became the first new state college created in Georgia since 1970. GGC presently offers a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in biology, psychology, and information technology. It also offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Tuition is $78 per credit hour for Georgia residents and $312 per credit hour for out-of-state students; enrollment is 3,000.
Georgia Institute of Technology 225 North Avenue NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30332 (404-894-2000; www.gatech.edu/). Georgia Tech, as it is popularly known, is one of the top 10 research universities in the nation. Founded in 1885 as a trade school, it has evolved into an institution with majors in engineering, the sciences, and technology. Tuition is $5,642 for Georgia residents and $23,366 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 12,562.
Georgia Southern University P.O. Box 8024, Statesboro, Ga. 30460 (912-681-5611; www.georgiasouthern.edu/). Boasting students from every state in the union and 80 foreign countries, Georgia Southern is one of the most diverse universities in the state. It offers majors in more than 120 areas of study; the Chemistry Department in particular receives high marks. Tuition is $4,082 for Georgia residents and $12,954 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 16,425.
Georgia Southwestern State University 800 Georgia Southwestern University Drive, Americus, Ga. 31709 (800-338-0082; www.gsw.edu/). Founded in 1906, Georgia Southwestern is located near Plains, the hometown of former president Jimmy Carter. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving was established in honor of the former first lady. Other programs at the university include the Southwest Georgia Writing Project, the Center for Asian Studies, and the Association for Third World Studies. Tuition is $3,526 for Georgia residents and $12,130 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 2,218.
Georgia State University 33 Gilmer Street, Atlanta, Ga. 30303 (404-413-2000; www.gsu.edu/). Located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia State University originally was intended for commuters and older students. Now that dormitories have been added, the school is focusing on more traditional students. Graduate programs include business, law, education, health and human sciences, and liberal arts. Tuition is $5,484 for Georgia residents and $18,772 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 19,913.
Kennesaw State University 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144 (770-423-6000; www.Kennesaw.edu/). The third-largest university in Georgia’s system, Kennesaw State offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s programs. Nursing students from KSU have one of the highest passing rates on the statewide licensing exam. The executive MBA program in the Coles College of Business is the second largest in the country. Tuition is $3,806 for Georgia residents and $12,678 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 18,269.
LaGrange College 601 Broad Street, LaGrange, Ga. 30240 (706-880-8005; www.lagrange.edu/). Founded in 1831 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church, LaGrange is the oldest private college in Georgia. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it among the top 10 comprehensive colleges and considers it one of the “best values” in higher education. Tuition is $18,500; enrollment is 1,091.
Life University 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, Ga. 30060 (770-426-2884; www.life.edu/). Life is primarily known for its chiropractic curriculum, but the university also offers courses in business, biology, biopsychology, nutrition, computer information management, and sports health care. Tuition is $7,380; enrollment is 495.
Macon State College 100 College Station Drive, Macon, Ga. 31206 (478-471-2800; www.maconstate.edu/). Founded in 1968 as a junior college, Macon State has grown into the largest undergraduate college in central Georgia. Tuition is $2,046 for Georgia residents and $7,374 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 6,500.
Mercer University 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, Ga. 31207 (478-301-2650; www.mercer.edu/); Atlanta campus: 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30341 (678-547-6111). This Baptist-affiliated university has 10 colleges and schools, including education, engineering, business and economics, nursing, pharmacy, theology, medicine, and law. Tuition is $28,600; enrollment is 4,213.
Morehouse College 830 Westview Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30314 (404-681-2800; www.morehouse.edu/). Founded in 1867, Morehouse is the nation’s only private historically African-American college for men. Two of its most famous graduates are Martin Luther King, Jr., and film director Spike Lee. Tuition is $19,429; enrollment is 2,800.
North Georgia College & State University 82 College Circle, Dahlonega, Ga. 30597 (706-864-1800; www.ngcsu.edu/). One of six senior military colleges in the United States, North Georgia has produced 36 generals and admirals. Tuition is $3,810 for Georgia residents and $12,414 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 4,595.
Oglethorpe University 4484 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30319 (404-261-1441; www.oglethorpe.edu/). Since 1835, Oglethorpe University has provided a coeducational liberal arts education to a diverse student body. Today, students from 34 states and 31 countries are represented. Tuition is $24,542; enrollment is 1,100.
Paine College 1235 15th Street, Augusta, Ga. 30901 (706-821-8200; www.paine.edu/). Established in 1882, Paine is a private, church-affiliated liberal arts college with a predominantly African-American enrollment. Tuition is $10,694; enrollment is 917.
Piedmont College 165 Central Avenue, Demorest, Ga. 30535 (706-548-8505; www.piedmont.edu/). A small liberal arts college, Piedmont is noted for its “Writing and Speaking Across the Curriculum” program, which requires students to take courses that emphasize written and verbal communication skills. Tuition is $16,500; enrollment is 1,100.
Reinhardt College 7300 Reinhardt College Circle, Waleska, Ga. 30183 (770-720-9191; www.reinhardt.edu/). Founded in 1883, Reinhardt is a private, religious liberal arts college that offers 40 baccalaureate degrees in subjects ranging from business and communication to education and music. Tuition is $14,970; enrollment is 1,028.
Savannah College of Art and Design P.O. Box 2072, Savannah, Ga. 31402 (912-525-5100; www.scad.edu/); Atlanta campus: 1600 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga. 30309 (404-253-2700). This private college prepares students for careers in visual and performing arts, architecture, and building and design. Tuition is $24,390; enrollment is 7,521.
Savannah State University 3219 College Street, Savannah, Ga. 31404 (912-356-2181; www.savstate.edu/). Founded in 1890, Savannah State is the oldest public historically black college in Georgia. In addition to traditional courses, it offers environmental and marine science degrees in which students do lab work on the coastal waterways. Tuition is $3,486 for Georgia residents and $10,372 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 3,044.
Shorter College 315 Shorter Avenue, Rome, Ga. 30165 (706-291-2121; www.shorter.edu/). Named Cherokee Baptist Female College when it opened in 1873, this school was renamed Shorter Female College in 1877. The name was changed again when the college began admitting men in the early 1950s. The Princeton Review has ranked Shorter as a “Best Value College.” Tuition is $15,160; enrollment is 1,040.
South University 709 Mall Boulevard, Savannah, Ga. 31406 (912-201-8000; www.southuniversity.edu/). Established in 1899, South University has campuses in Savannah; Montgomery, Alabama; West Palm Beach and Tampa, Florida; and Columbia, South Carolina. It also offers a wide range of online programs. Tuition is $15,300; enrollment is 963.
Southern Polytechnic State University 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, Ga. 30060 (678-915-7281; www.spsu.edu/). Founded in 1948, SPSU offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in disciplines ranging from business administration to computer science to software engineering. Tuition is $3,872 for Georgia residents and $13,590 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 4,000.
Spelman College 350 Spelman Lane, Atlanta, Ga. 30314 (404-681-3643; www.spelman.edu/). Consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country, Spelman is a private, historically black college for women. Tuition is $18,615; enrollment is 2,290.
Thomas University 1501 Millpond Road, Thomasville, Ga. 31792 (229-226-1621; www.thomas.edu/). Thomas is a small private college offering degrees in business, technology, and education. According to college officials, 94 percent of the graduates find jobs in their fields of study within 90 days of graduation. Tuition is $11,040; enrollment is 800.
Toccoa Falls College 325 Chapel Drive, Toccoa Falls, Ga. 30598 (706-886-6831; www.tfc.edu/). Established in 1907, Toccoa Falls College is an independent coeducational institution with the mission of training men and women for work in Christian ministries and other professions. Tuition is $13,825; enrollment is 925.
Truett-McConnell College 100 Alumni Drive, Cleveland, Ga. 30528 (706-865-2134; www.truett.edu/). After more than a half-century as a two-year college, Truett-McConnell was approved as a four-year institution in 2002. Today, the college offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in music and Christian studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in education with a concentration in early childhood education. Tuition is $13,100; enrollment is 473.
University of Georgia Terrell Hall, Athens, Ga. 30602 (706-542-8776; www.uga.edu/). Although UGA is famous for its football teams, it is also one of the South’s top academic institutions. Since its founding in 1784 as the first state-chartered university in the United States, it has produced 19 Rhodes Scholars. Tuition is $5,622 for Georgia residents and $20,726 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 25,335.
University of West Georgia 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, Ga. 30118 (678-839-5000; www.westga.edu/). The University of West Georgia has undergone dramatic growth and changes since its beginnings in 1906 as an agricultural and mechanical college. UWG now offers 109 different courses of study, including biology, business, music, and nursing. Tuition is $3,918 for Georgia residents and $12,790 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 8,475.
Valdosta State University 1500 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, Ga. 31698 (229-333-5791; www.valdosta.edu/). This South Georgia university offers students the option of completing their degrees partially online, in work-study programs, or with a year of study abroad. Tuition is $4,038 for Georgia residents and $12,910 for out-of-state students; enrollment is 9,826.
Wesleyan College 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon, Ga. 31204 (800-447-6610; www.wesleyancollege.edu/). Established in 1836 as Georgia Female College, Wesleyan owns the distinction of graduating the first woman in Georgia to receive a medical degree. Tuition is $16,500; enrollment is 600.
University System of Georgia Two-Year Campuses
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, Ga. 31793 (229-391-5000; www.abac.edu/).
Atlanta Metropolitan College 1630 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30310 (404-756-4000; www.atlm.edu/).
Bainbridge College 2500 East Shotwell Street, Bainbridge, Ga. 39818-0990 (866-825-1715; www.bainbridge.edu/).
Coastal Georgia Community College 3700 Atlanta Avenue, Brunswick, Ga. 31520-3644 (912-264-7235; www.cgcc.edu/).
Darton College 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, Ga. 31707 (229-317-6000; www.darton.edu/).
East Georgia College 131 College Circle, Swainsboro, Ga. 30401 (478-289-2017; www.ega.edu/); Statesboro campus: 1525-A Fair Road, Statesboro, Ga. 30460.
Gainesville State College 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, Ga. 30566 (678-717-3641; www.gc.peachnet.edu/); Oconee campus: 1201 Bishop Farms Parkway, Watkinsville, Ga. 30677.
Georgia Highlands College 415 East Third Avenue at Glenn Milner Boulevard, Rome, Ga. 30161 (800-332-2401; www.highlands.edu/).
Georgia Perimeter College Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 89000, Atlanta, Ga. 30356 (www.gpc.edu/); Clarkston campus (678-891-3500); Decatur campus (678-891-2470); Dunwoody campus (770-274-5200); Newton campus (770-278-1215).
Gordon College 419 College Drive, Barnesville, Ga. 30204 (770-358-5000; www.gdn.peachnet.edu/).
Middle Georgia College 1100 Second Street SE, Cochran, Ga. 31014 (478-934-6221; www.mgc.edu/).
South Georgia College 100 West College Park Drive, Douglas, Ga. 31533 (912-260-4206; www.sgc.edu/).
Waycross College 2001 South Georgia Parkway, Waycross, Ga. 31503 (912-449-7600; www.waycross.edu/).
Young Harris College 1 College Street, P.O. Box 68, Young Harris, Ga. 30582 (800-241-3754; www.yhc.edu/).
Community Colleges and Technical Schools
Andrew College 501 College Street, Cuthbert, Ga. 39840-5550 (229-732-2171; www.andrewcollege.edu/).
Athens Technical College 800 U.S. 29 North, Athens, Ga. 30601 (706-355-5000; www.athenstech.edu/).
Augusta Technical College 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Augusta, Ga. 30906 (706-771-4000; www.augustatech.edu/).
Central Georgia Technical College 3300 Macon Tech Drive, Macon, Ga. 31206 (478-757-3400; www.centralgatech.edu/).
Chattahoochee Technical College 980 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30060 (770-528-4545; www.chattcollege.com/).
Columbus Technical College 928 Manchester Expressway, Columbus, Ga. 31904 (706-649-1800; www.columbustech.edu/).
DeKalb Technical College 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, Ga. 30021 (404-297-9522; www.dekalbtech.edu/).
Georgia Military College 6280 Bryant Street, Union City, Ga. 30291 (770-306-6400; www.gmc.cc.ga.us).
Griffin Technical College 501 Varsity Road, Griffin, Ga. 30223 (770-228-7348; www.griffintech.edu/).
Gwinnett Technical College 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043 (770-962-7580; www.gwinnettech.edu/).
Northwestern Technical College 265 Bicentennial Trail, Rock Spring, Ga. 30739 (800-735-5726; www.northwesterntech.edu/).
Savannah Technical College 5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, Ga. 31405 (912-443-5700; www.savannahtech.edu/).
Southwest Georgia Technical College 15689 U.S. 19 North, Thomasville, Ga. 31792 (229-225-4096; www.southwestgatech.edu/).
West Central Technical College 997 South Ga. 16, Carrollton, Ga. 30116 (770-836-6800; www.westcentraltech.edu/).
Newcomers moving to Georgia with school-age children should contact the school superintendent’s office in the county or city school system where they will be living. According to the Georgia Department of Education (www.doe.K12.ga.us), registration is usually held in the spring. Dates vary from system to system, so contact the local school district for specific information. Each school system also has its own calendar of opening and closing days and holidays.
Each school system determines the acceptance of credits and the placement of transfer students from other schools or home study programs. Parents who plan to move to Georgia should consider having their student’s current school forward records to the school he or she plans to attend.
Georgia state law requires attendance in a public or private school or a home study program for students from six to 16. The school year includes 180 days of instruction. A child must be six years old on or before September 1 to enter first grade, or five years old before September 1 to enter public kindergarten. Public kindergarten is available but not mandatory. A prekindergarten program for students who are four years old on or before September 1 is offered. School systems require verification of age before enrollment.
Immunizations and Health Records
Before entering a Georgia public school, students must provide certification of eye, ear, and dental examinations. They must use Form 3300 from the Georgia Department of Human Resources at the time of enrollment or within 120 days. Forms are available at public health departments and doctors’ offices.
A child entering school for the first time in Georgia, or entering after an absence of more than 12 months in any school year, is required to complete the Form 3231 immunization certificate from the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Immunizations are required for tetanus, measles, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox. Some exceptions on religious or other grounds may be accepted. Check with the local school superintendent’s office.
Students entering sixth grade must have two doses of vaccine for measles, mumps, and chicken pox and one dose of Rubella vaccine. More information is available at www.health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization/index.asp.
All third-grade students are required to pass the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) in reading before they can be promoted to the fourth grade. All fifth-grade students must pass the CRCT in reading and math before they can be promoted to the sixth grade. Students are required to pass standardized assessment tests in the eighth grade before promotion to ninth grade and in the 11th or 12th grade before receiving their diplomas. More information is available through the Georgia Department of Education (www.doe.K12.ga.us).
Georgia state law for homeschooling requires parents to submit a declaration of their intent to their local school superintendent 30 days after the home study program is established and by September 1 each year after that. The declaration must include names and ages of students, location of the home school, and the dates the parents designate as their school year.
At least 180 days of instruction (four and a half hours daily) are required. Attendance records must be submitted to the superintendent monthly. Parents have to complete annual progress reports and retain them for three years. Parents who teach their children must have at least a high-school diploma or a GED. Private tutors with the same minimum qualifications also can be used. Homeschooled students are required to take a national standardized achievement test every three years, starting at the end of the third grade. The state does not require that parents submit the results to school officials.
For more information, visit www.homeschoolingingeorgia.com.