2023 Niche Standout High Schools in the Atlanta Area

• Clayton County Schools, GA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  160 reviews

Senior: Elite Scholars Academy is a charter school located in Jonesboro, Georgia. I have been at Elite Scholars Academy since sixth grade, and I am now a senior. I felt like the school really pushed its other students and I academically in order to prepare us for college. There is just an atmosphere to excel and do better. The school focuses a lot of academics that sports and clubs kind of get side-lined, which I think is not the best. COVID-19 has also made school a little more tiresome because nobody really wants to do virtual school, both teachers and students. However, I do enjoy the face-to-face portions. I also feel like the seniors get the short-end of the stick because of the pandemic and we aren't really able to celebrate our last year of highschool to the fullest, which sucks. Overall, I really enjoyed attending the school and I would recommend it to students in the Clayton County area!... Read 160 reviews

• grade A

• Students 699

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Free or reduced lunch 93%

• Dekalb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  200 reviews

Freshman: Dekalb Early College Academy is a wonderful school, not just with academics. DECA provides a wonderful set of admins and teachers who truly care about their students and want the best for them. The students are all fairly behaved and are courteous to other people and things around them. I enjoy seeing the staff and students each day as we all encourage each other to achieve one main goal point. The amount of healthy competition is beautiful and pushes me so hard as a student! Also, the alumni of the school are extraordinary mentors and are very encouraging.... Read 200 reviews

• grade A

• Students 310

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Free or reduced lunch 65%

• Clayton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  134 reviews

Senior: I was the new kid when I first came to Martha Ellen Stilwell. I came in as a Junior which normally is not allowed however, they let me in and I enjoyed my time there. I loved the students and teachers. They made me feel very welcomed, and they always had faith in me. They taught me so many things I can take with me in life. They really paid attention to their students. Something I wish I could change about the school is the diversity, I think diversity is very important but we did not really have it at the school. I also wish we could change the way some of the teachers taught, sometimes the other kids don't understand as fast and there should be a way for the students to learn something with a different technique. It doesn't have to be one strict way! But, other than that the experience I had there is not one I shall forget.... Read 134 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 591

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 93%

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  510 reviews

Senior: I like the inclusive feel from the counselors and staff, especially with the incoming freshman and the graduating seniors to help create a non-polarizing environment for students. Also, the amount of extra curricular activities and opportunities offered from the school exceed my expectations and previous school I attended. The reason why this school does not have all five stars is the lack of informational communication from the school, there can sometimes be a loss of communication on school events and school activities which can be detrimental for the student based on what those events entail. Overall the school is great, you meet many friends, have opportunities, and a safe environment for high educational learning.... Read 510 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,308

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 34%

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  705 reviews

Senior: I like school! I've always wanted to attend a school with an open campus so I can replicate the feeling of a college campus. There is a lot of trust and freedom in the school, while still having the opportunity to support struggling students. I applaud the way the administration is handling the COVID pandemic. I would appreciate it if the administration hired more counselors to accommodate for such large classes. My senior class alone has close to 600 students with five counselors and two college specialized counselors. I had a five-week wait for my recommendation letter. The workload for teachers could definitely be improved. Especially since the Duluth area is becoming more popular and the amount of students each year grows.... Read 705 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,690

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 52%

• Atlanta Public Schools, GA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  22 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Charles R Drew Charter School has been interesting. Drew has a different school culture and focuses than most schools. Drew has given me a unique and more technology integrated way of learning, which is different from most. My school is diverse which is beneficial to the present 21-century changing workforce. Drew has explored me to different projects and activities to explore different types of teaching. Since, Drew is a S.T.E.A.M and a Project-Based Learning school classes offered to show me a connection between two subjects before this, the connection was not clear. One of the many I like are the different clubs offered and the variety. One thing I want to see change at Drew is the environment. Our environment at Drew can be chaotic at times. The last thing I would like to see change is for the students to have a more positive behavior and mindset.... Read 22 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 905

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Free or reduced lunch 45%

• Fulton County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  545 reviews

Senior: North springs high school has been a fine experience. The school gets the job done and has great arts program. I tried out for many musicals, went to chorus 5, ceramics 5, was a chorus class vice president and president, and participated in multiple out of school chorus competitions. I do think the school could do a better job of including all races all though there are many resources sometimes it seems they pay a lot more attention to the white kids more as a lot of the schools funding comes from them.... Read 545 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,492

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Free or reduced lunch 34%

• Gainesville City Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  288 reviews

Senior: Like any other senior here at my school, I was stressing about the future, of what I wanted to do after school. I always know in a way I wanted to continue in school, but never decide on what exactly. Gainesville has a lot of options to give so you may try out different career paths, you can take an intro class and if you like it you can continue or take another different class. But not only the class they have a variety of clubs or sports you can try or join. The only thing I would change is how helpful the counselors. They don't put much effort into helping students. They either wait until the last minute to help you or by the time they want to help you have already figured it out yourself. They need to be more effective in their job because at the end of the day it's their job to guide students and be helpful to them in their educational process. But overall Gainesville high school is a great school with many opportunities students may receive or take advantage of.... Read 288 reviews

• grade B

• Students 2,181

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 57%

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  715 reviews

Junior: I've lived in the Smyrna Area my entire life, so the idea of attending Campbell High as my High school Alma Mater has been inevitable. Before attending the school, i had heard the typical things a freshman hears when they start high school, "the bad parts" of the high school experience. I started high school as a freshman in the height of the Covid lockdown, not attending till sophomore. The school in itself feels like one big community. During the covid-19 lockdown, Campbell did its best efforts to make the school feel like a community regardless of it being pure virtual students. Even if you don't know someone, something will happen within the school and all the students seem to come together. Having the largest campus and only IB Baccalaureate program in cobb county, i'm lucky to have met diverse groups of peers with diverse means of thinking.... Read 715 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,981

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 47%

• Bartow County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  201 reviews

Junior: I originally come from a school in New York, where the school needed ID's to go in, you had to walk through metal detectors, and your backpack was checked for drugs or any arms. Constant new on threats and fights at least twice a week. Where I come from, high school was definitely survival of the fittest. When I was told I would start a new school I was scared, I mean all my friends were in a completely different state, but this school was so welcoming. I actually felt safe. The environment feels so nice and the teachers are so supportive and great at interacting with the students. The school system was so stress free and supported students in any area. I have seen so much about economic help and opportunities to advance academically. I have seen and experienced so much that I probably wouldn't have experienced in my old district. I thank God because going to Cass was one of the biggest blessings I've ever had. At this point, I have no complaints.... Read 201 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,505

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 44%

• Carroll County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  284 reviews

Works Here: Villa Rica can appear to be intimidating from the outside, but on the inside it is one of the best high schools I have ever been a part of. The educational opportunities we offer, the opportunities in academics and the arts that we offer, and the preparation for post-secondary life we offer are all second to none. Our dual enrollment, AP, STEM, and other educational opportunities prepare our students to be enrolled, enlisted, employed, and engaged in their communities after graduation. Our extracurricular activities offer our students opportunities to supplement their education by showcasing their talents in the areas of academics and they arts. Our school leadership builds connections with students and teachers by building relationships from day one. If our students only know one thing, its that their teachers and administrators care about them!... Read 284 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,742

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Free or reduced lunch 48%

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  765 reviews

Alum: During my four years at NHS, I was provided with many opportunities to prepare me for my future. I took Honors/AP classes that prepared me for rigorous college-level courses. I was a student-athlete on the Varsity Volleyball team, which provided me with influential/knowledgable coaches, life-long friendships and an opportunity to display my talents. Additionally, I was introduced to extracurricular clubs such as IAADM and AALR that made a positive impact through volunteer work, donations and other forms of community service. The teachers, faculty and staff were extremely supportive and provided help/resources in all aspects of life. The music and arts department, STEM program, and other clubs/activities allowed students to display and strengthen their academic, athletic and additional talents. The facilities are well-kept and up to date. I am thankful for my time spent at Norcross High School. My experience truly made me a better person and prepared me for my future endeavors, etc!!!... Read 765 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,778

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 61%

• Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  685 reviews

Senior: Central Gwinnett High School is a different experience depending on the programs you're in. From my personal experience, most of the teachers are reasonable and nice, but there are some that are not so great at teaching. There are, however, some amazing and caring teachers that really value their students that make the experience worth it. In terms of academics, there are CP, gifted and AP classes offered. I am taking mainly gifted and AP so I can't say much about CP. AP classes do offer a lot of work and can be quite stressful. The SOTA program is definitely worth it if you're living in Gwinnett. Each conservatory is very talented and offers industry level training with teachers who are professionals in their work. Conservatories are very close knit (although drama is inevitable). SOTA and Central Gwinnett feel like totally different schools. Again, it all depends on the programs you're in.... Read 685 reviews

• grade B

• Students 2,169

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 66%

• Marietta City Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  523 reviews

Senior: Marietta High school was an amazing school and the experience was like none other. The school itself is an amazing building with a lot of natural light, improving the school experience. Marietta as a town has the most amazing school spirit, so many people living downtown come to the games and support the school. The teachers at Marietta are amazing, specifically in the "IB" program. The international baccalaureate program leaves students with amazing opportunities to grow and develop in their skills. The "IB" program is not super common so having that program in a public high school is amazing. This is helpful to the college process and applying.... Read 523 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,544

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Free or reduced lunch 52%

• Douglas County School System, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  624 reviews

Senior: It's very clean and the staff is the sweetest thing. The teachers are excellent, I realized I picked up pretty quickly when the topics were being taught and I got to say it's due to their awesome teaching methods. I wish the time to get to class was a bit longer because of the time it takes to go from building to building, but other than that my experience as been great!... Read 624 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,995

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 53%

• Paulding County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.4 out of 5  266 reviews

Junior: Paulding County High School is fantastic! I receive the support from all of my teachers that I need to be successful. They also provide a significant number of extracurricular activities that keep me engaged with what is going on at the school.... Read 266 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,906

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 46%

• Hall County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  144 reviews

Alum: I would consider Johnson as one of the most diverse high school in the hall county district. They live by the creed encouraging us to be honest, respectful, and personally responsible. Every teacher and the school's IB program is phenomenal! Amazing soccer team as well. Further construction on the school buildings is needed as the school population continues to grow.... Read 144 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,371

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Free or reduced lunch 61%

• Barrow County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  344 reviews

Senior: I loved Apalachee! It has been a a great experience attending Apalachee High School. I appreciated all the help my teachers and peers offered me throughout my years there! Overall it is a great school. However, football is the sport that gets the most recognition by the school even though it is our least successful program. My classmates and I have been urging for more funding to go towards our other sports as well. Other than that, Apalachee is a great school!... Read 344 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,917

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 40%

• Hall County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  151 reviews

Junior: I like the array of opportunities that are given to hard-working students that want to pave their future ahead of time. I have been given the wonderful possibility of dual enrolling which allows me to get a head start on what I would like to pursue in life. The variety of colleges we can dual enroll in are astounding, and we have plenty of access to so many different classes! Personally, I do not believe that my high school is lacking in any essential characteristics; therefore, I do not believe there is much to be improved. I feel very safe at my school with the ensured security, and I feel like I have a wonderful learning environment where I can focus on making my future brighter.... Read 151 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,261

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 39%

• Hall County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  149 reviews

Senior: The teachers are what make an impact at West Hall High School. Although, the courses are not as varied as other Hall County Schools, the way in which each teacher encourages students to succeed is phenomenal. The tolerance for inappropriate behavior is non, so some students do not feel as honored by the staff due to their lack of maturity, but the room for personal growth is high at this school. The new Fine Arts building also is going to help make the Arts community in West Hall even better in order to impact the community on a larger scale. The collaboration between the school and the community is huge and it allows students to make many connections for their future.... Read 149 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,142

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Free or reduced lunch 46%

• Cobb County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  706 reviews

Freshman: In my experience I am always getting the education and support that I need! The teachers are very supportive and put in their best effort to give students the best resources and education possible! Not to mention how big the campus is! There’s so many sports, clubs, and so much more here at this school. If you want your child to be in a diverse environment, then this is the place for you. The diversity is amazing and this school is truly for each and every student that is ready to learn!... Read 706 reviews

• grade B

• Students 2,401

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Free or reduced lunch 55%

• Bartow County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.49 out of 5  248 reviews

Junior: Woodland… where do I even begin to talk about Woodland. I’m going into my junior year and I don’t think I would prefer to do it somewhere else. Woodland truly has set me up for success! Not only has Woodland had open arms for me and every other student who has attended but woodland has made it their job to put us first! From a nice smile in the hallway to getting us ready to graduate. One thing that I love about woodland is how soon it prepares you for the rest of your life. Woodland makes it their priority to always keep us ready for what’s coming next, whether that be the next grade or the start of our life. My mom always asks me when I come home “So how’s Woodland treating you” ? My response has NEVER changed… I always smile and say “It’s my home”. I’ve never been more proud to be a Woodland wildcat, the administration truly care about what happens to us and that inspires me and every other student to be on our very best behavior.... Read 248 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,485

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 43%

• Barrow County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  343 reviews

Alum: Winder Barrow High School is, in general, a great school for high school students to attend. It is located in Winder, Georgia, which is fortunately a low-crime area. There is an officer on campus at all times, which helps students to feel safe while attending school. The teachers at this institution do their best to make classes interesting for students in order to regulate positive engagement. There is a wide variety of extra curricular activities for students to participate in such as basketball, football, tennis, cheerleading, chorus, theatre, ROTC, and so much more! The campus is always clean, and the staff is friendly. The cafeteria food is always properly prepared and especially yummy.... Read 343 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,911

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Free or reduced lunch 34%

• Carroll County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  191 reviews

Alum: Central High School has the best teachers working there, wanting all students to succeed! They offer really excellent AP credits and ways to take dual enrollment classes through the University of West Georgia. There is an excellent band program, variety of clubs, and lots of sports to get involved in. They definitely help prepare you for college!... Read 191 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,176

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Free or reduced lunch 43%

• Henry County Schools, GA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  361 reviews

Alum: I have recently graduated Woodland High School a few weeks ago! I am proud to say that I have attended for the past 4 years and they were amazing! It is very diverse and the teachers actually care about your education and want to help you. The counselors are amazing at what they do and keep you on track for graduation. The only thing I would change is the few pep rally’s and we need more student engaged activities. But overall I enjoyed Woodland and the friends that I have made over the years. Go Wolf Pack! Pack Pride!... Read 361 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,434

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Free or reduced lunch 38%