Atlanta Public Schools students are making progress and in some instances outpacing their peers in other large urban districts, according to the results of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “the nation’s report card.”

Atlanta Public Schools is the only large city school district to make significant progress in fourth grade reading, with a 6.9-point increase from 2022 to 2024.  Additionally, 

• APS is the only large urban district to see an increase in fourth grade reading for students performing in the 75th percentile or above (high-performing students) from 2022 to 2024.

• The district’s gain in reading was significantly greater than the state of Georgia, other large urban school districts, and public schools nationally which significantly declined. 

• APS also experienced a significant increase in fourth grade mathematics performance, with nominally greater gains compared to Georgia, large urban school districts, and public schools nationally.

• In eighth grade reading, APS students’ performance held steady with a score change comparable to Georgia. 

“The district’s strong performance on NAEP is a testament to the board, administration, and staff remaining steadfast in the pursuit of their goals for improving outcomes for all students in the district,” said Council of Great City Schools Executive Director Ray Hart.

While he is encouraged by the results, APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said there is still more work to be done.

“This is evidence that the hard work of our principals, teachers, and students is paying off,” Johnson said. “While we are certainly proud of these results, we also realize that we still have a significant journey ahead of us. Our goal is to become consistently the top performing urban school district in the country. With the resources and talent we have in Atlanta Public Schools, I am confident that we will achieve that goal.”