Thirty-Four (34) schools in Atlanta Public Schools have been designated by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) as “Beating the Odds” schools for 2025.

APS saw an increase of six schools from SY2024, the greatest increase in the number of schools making the list since SY2016.

The distinction is based on data collected during the 2024-2025 school year. 

Beating the Odds (BTO) is a statistical analysis by GOSA that compares a school’s actual performance on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) with the performance of schools with similar characteristics across the state. Schools that perform higher than similar schools are considered “Beating the Odds.” 

The calculation for Beating the Odds (BTO) uses regression analysis to compare schools with similar characteristics (e.g., demographics, poverty, etc.). This approach allows GOSA to identify and recognize schools that are demonstrating stronger academic performance than projected within a single school year.

Strategic Plan, Targeted Investments Paying Off

The district’s recently adopted strategic plan, Back to Basics 2030, which places a key focus on strengthening the quality of teaching and learning and ensuring that schools had the supports necessary to succeed. One key area of focus for the system has been teacher compensation and retention. 

The school board approved a historic 11 percent average base pay increase for teachers, along with restructured salary schedules to recognize years of experience in a targeted effort to improve student outcomes. 

“We are incredibly proud of this recognition and what it represents for the future of Atlanta Public Schools and the students we serve,” said Superintendent, Dr. Bryan Johnson. “Beating the Odds is not accidental. It is the result of intentional strategic investments aligned to our district’s strategic plan and our belief that great schools and school systems begin with great people committed to a common purpose.”

Over the past three years, APS has invested more than $130 million in employee compensation to attract, develop, support, and retain high quality teachers, leaders, and staff. 

“As one of the compensation leaders in the metro Atlanta region, APS has prioritized competitive salaries, professional growth opportunities, and strong workplace support systems because we know retaining excellent educators matters just as much as recruiting them,” Lester said. “Those investments have contributed to a retention rate of over 90% and single digit Day One teacher vacancies for the past three consecutive school years, helping create stability and excellence in classrooms across the district.

“The impact of those efforts is evident in this recognition,” Lester continued. “Thirty-four (34) schools earning Beating the Odds distinction demonstrates that when you invest in people, strengthen the instructional core, and remain focused on student success, meaningful acceleration in student achievement follows.”

“My fellow board members and I are committed to responsibly providing our schools with the resources they need to make sure that our students are successful,” said Atlanta Board of Education Chair Jessica Johnson. “We intend to continue making smart investments in our instructional programming, our people, and our facilities as we progress toward making Atlanta Public Schools the best urban public school system in the nation.”  

APS BTO Schools for 2025 are: