Education in Clayton County is a challenging and rewarding process that prepares students for the workforce, college, and beyond. From Pre-K to doctoral studies, Clayton County offers nationally recognized public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and many institutions of higher learning to help the community build a foundation for a bright future.
Clayton County Public Schools
With more than 50,000 students, Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is the sixth-largest school system in Georgia and ranks among the 100 largest school districts in the U.S. CCPS is fully accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED).
The system has 38 primary/elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 12 high schools, two district-approved charters, one alternative education center, one psychological education center, and one multi-purpose education center. Among its 70 schools are five school-wide magnet schools, 12 magnet programs, one state-certified STEM program, one Cognia-certified STEM program, and two International Baccalaureate Candidate schools.
The school district is highly diversified with 90 different ethnicities and countries represented. Seventy-two (72) different languages are spoken, with Spanish and Vietnamese being the two languages other than English spoken most at home. The district is proud to have high schools that are consistently ranked among the best in Georgia as published by US News and World Report.
Career & Technical
Technical and career education is provided to Clayton County residents by Atlanta Technical College. This college, part of the Technical College System of Georgia, serves 4,770 students and has a 97 percent job placement rating. The 100+ programs of study include 15 tuition-free career programs.
In 2019, the college opened ATC South in Clayton County, which serves as an extension of the main campus, providing students access to resources such as the campus store, business office, testing center, enrollment services, financial aid, economic development, and a student lounge onsite. ATC South course offerings include cosmetology, healthcare, allied health sciences, logistics, computer sciences, and general education classes, along with a host of online and hybrid courses.
Private Schools
There are several private schools in Clayton County, most of which are affiliated with a specific religious doctrine: Atlanta Adventist International School (K-8), Camelot Christian Academy (PK-6), Evangel Temple Christian Academy (K-12), Hope Christian Academy (PK-12), Owens Christian Preparatory Academy (6-12), and Woodward Academy’s Busey Campus (K-12).
Colleges & Universities
Clayton County is also the home of Clayton State University, which enrolls nearly 6,000 students in 7 associate degree programs, 45 bachelor’s degree programs, and 12 graduate degree programs. The 214-acre campus in Morrow is in a park-like setting with six lakes and several wooded trails. Clayton State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees.
Because of Clayton County’s location in metro Atlanta, there are more than 80 colleges within 100 miles, including Georgia State University, the largest university in the state, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. For-profit vocational colleges in Clayton County include the Interactive College of Technology and United Education Institute (UEI), both in Morrow, Ga.