District News

Forsyth County Schools Shine Across All Levels in 2026 U.S. News Rankings

Forsyth County Schools continues to set a standard of excellence from the earliest grades through high school. The newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings recognize our students, teachers, and schools for outstanding achievement at every level.

Elementary Schools Leading the Way

Daves Creek Elementary ranked No. 4 in Georgia
Johns Creek Elementary ranked No. 8 in Georgia
Big Creek Elementary ranked 22nd statewide, third in the district
Brookwood Elementary ranked 29th statewide, fourth in the district
In total, seven of 23 elementary schools finished in Georgia’s top 50

Middle Schools Excelling

Riverwatch Middle School ranked No. 4 in Georgia
South Forsyth Middle School ranked No. 5 in Georgia
Piney Grove Middle School ranked No. 10 in Georgia
Seven of our middle schools are in the state’s top 64, and all 11 received state rankings

High Schools Recognized

Forsyth County high schools earned accolades in the U.S. News rankings released in August, further confirming the district’s record of excellence.

How Rankings Are Determined

U.S. News evaluated student performance on state assessments in math and reading/language arts, while considering student background and achievement in core subjects. Student-teacher ratios were used to break ties in overall scores.

What This Means for Forsyth County Schools

These rankings are more than numbers—they reflect our daily commitment to building an environment where students are safe, connected, and supported to thrive. From elementary classrooms to high school pathways, our students benefit from dedicated teachers, staff, and families who make success possible.

Safety in Every Step

A Day with Kim Driesse

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” -Charlie Chaplin

Kim Driesse, Assistant Director of School Safety

From supporting school administrators with discipline concerns to guiding them through high-stakes safety decisions, Kim Driesse’s work is rooted in service and support. As Assistant Director of School Safety, she is often the steady voice schools turn to, whether it’s navigating a difficult parent conversation, coordinating a behavioral threat assessment, or ensuring administrators are equipped with the latest training and protocols.

Beyond procedures, Driesse leads with relationships. She organizes safety training across the district and manages a team of Student Advocacy Specialists who work with Forsyth County’s most at-risk students, ensuring schools have a trusted adult to connect with the children who need it most. Known for her calm under pressure and collaborative approach, she partners daily with administrators, counselors, social workers, and law enforcement to keep students safe and cared for.

At the heart of her work is a simple goal: to provide every school leader with top-notch support, enabling them to focus on what matters most - helping students learn and thrive in a safe environment.

School Safety in Action

What does a typical day look like for you as a school safety leader—balancing preparedness, responsiveness, and community trust?

No two days look the same. On some mornings, I may serve as the hearing officer for a student tribunal, while on other days, I visit schools, monitor cameras in our command center, or review student safety reports from Chromebook searches and P3 tips. I also support administrators with discipline-related questions, coordinate safety training sessions, and respond to urgent situations as they arise. What remains consistent is my goal to be a calm and reliable resource for schools, balancing immediate needs with long-term planning, so that students and staff feel secure and supported.

How do you collaborate with staff, students, and local agencies to create a safe and welcoming environment across our schools? New Panel

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We have a strong partnership with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and their deputies are a daily presence in our schools, not only responding to emergencies but also building relationships with students and staff. Our district has also combined the Student Support and School Safety departments, which allows us to work seamlessly with counselors, social workers, and nurses, bringing together both safety and care for students who need it most. With school staff, we regularly gather feedback, provide training and resources tailored to their needs, and maintain a presence in schools as a reliable source of support. Additionally, we maintain close collaboration with Forsyth County Emergency Management and other community agencies to develop and refine our preparedness plans. These ongoing partnerships ensure that when challenges arise, we respond as a united team, keeping our schools both safe and welcoming.

Can you share a moment when your team’s safety efforts made a meaningful difference in a school’s day or culture?

One evening, we received an alert that a student had conducted an online search about suicide. Our team immediately coordinated with the school, the student’s family, and the Student Advocacy Specialist. During that process, the student disclosed that they were having thoughts of self-harm. On a Saturday, the SAS even went to the family’s home to provide direct support. Because of that collaboration and quick response, we were able to connect the student and their family with immediate help and ongoing resources. It was a clear reminder that school safety is about more than procedures; it’s about people working together to protect and support students when they need it most.

What are some of the most important—but often unseen—steps that go into keeping our campuses secure and prepared?

Much of school safety happens quietly in the background, long before an emergency ever occurs. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office provides ongoing training for our SROs, and we ensure administrators and staff are trained on safety protocols and procedures. We also coordinate emergency drills and reporting to maintain readiness, while managing the logistics that often go unnoticed, such as installing and maintaining cameras, running background checks for employees and volunteers, and overseeing systems like Raptor and employee badges to monitor who is in our buildings. Additionally, we continuously monitor student online searches and P3 tip reports to address concerns promptly. Just as necessary, we focus on training and supporting the people who work with students every day through programs like Sources of Strength, Signs of Suicide, PBIS, trauma-informed education, and skills such as DBT and CBT. Together, these ongoing, often unseen efforts create a safe, supportive environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive every day.

What advice would you give to someone passionate about school safety and considering a leadership role in this field?

My advice is to lead with integrity and humility. Technical knowledge and preparedness are essential, but what truly makes a difference is being someone that school leaders, staff, students, and families can trust. Listen more than you speak, learn the unique culture of each school, and be willing to serve in both the small tasks and the big moments. School safety leadership is not about control; it’s about building a community where everyone feels responsible for keeping our students safe.

Georgia Students Selected for 2025–2026 State Advisory Council

Big news from the Georgia Department of Education: 79 high school students from across the state have been selected to serve on Superintendent Richard Woods’ 2025–2026 Student Advisory Council. Out of more than 1,200 applicants, these students stood out for their innovative ideas, leadership skills, and passion for enhancing education.

Throughout the school year, council members will meet with Superintendent Woods to share how state policies impact their classrooms, provide feedback, and discuss broader issues such as curriculum, testing, and access to resources. They’ll also participate in service projects that give back to their communities—everything from cleanup efforts and fundraisers to student-led workshops.

“This council is about hearing directly from students—the ones experiencing our schools every day,” said Superintendent Woods. “Their ideas will help guide our work and keep us focused on what matters most: supporting every student’s success.”

For the first time, two private school students will join the council to help broaden the conversation and bring new perspectives to the table. All selected students submitted thoughtful essays on topics like graduation requirements, teacher support, and equity in rural schools.

The council includes students from every region of Georgia, representing rural, suburban, and urban communities. The first meeting will take place this November at the Georgia Department of Education’s offices.

Congratulations to all the students selected—and thank you for using your voice to shape the future of education in Georgia!

Partner Up, Power On: Forsyth Connects Community to Classroom

Forsyth County Schools is inviting local businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations to make a lasting impact through Partner Connect—a dynamic initiative that bridges community expertise with classroom innovation. Whether you're offering mentorship, guest speaking, internships, or resources, Partner Connect makes it easy to collaborate with educators and empower students across the district. This platform streamlines engagement, celebrates meaningful partnerships, and helps shape the future of Forsyth County by connecting real-world experiences to lifelong learning. Join today and be part of a movement that transforms education through community connection.

North Forsyth Grad Emma Rose Named to JA of Georgia’s Nineteen Under Nineteen

Emma Rose, a standout 2025 graduate from North Forsyth High School, has been named one of Junior Achievement of Georgia’s Nineteen Under Nineteen—a statewide honor spotlighting young changemakers who are already leading, creating, and inspiring before age 19.

Emma’s resume reads like a masterclass in ambition. She was named Engineering Student of the Year, launched her own business (Big Eeemma’s Bakery), and donated her first $500 in profits to Meals by Grace. She’s a four-year varsity basketball player, a GHSA State Runner-Up, and a student leader in multiple honor societies. Through Her Internship at Forsyth, she earned the Intern of the Year award while working in data analysis—and she still found time to serve her community through food drives and church outreach.

Now a freshman at Georgia Tech studying Architecture, Emma hopes to one day design and fund her dream bakery. She credits Junior Achievement for helping her think like an entrepreneur early on: “JA taught me how to manage responsibilities effectively,” she shared.

This year’s Nineteen Under Nineteen honorees were selected from over 50 public nominations across Georgia. Winners receive scholarships, networking opportunities with top business leaders, and a feature in JA of Georgia’s annual magazine.

Emma Rose is proof that the next generation isn’t waiting to lead—they’re already doing it.

Forsyth County Schools Earns Top National Ranking—Again!

Celebrating Excellence in Education, Year After Year

Forsyth County Schools has once again earned recognition as one of the nation's best school districts.

In the 2026 Best Schools and Districts rankings by Niche, Forsyth County Schools (FCS) earned an impressive spot—ranked top large district in Georgia, #3 overall in Georgia, and #209 nationwide out of more than 11,000 districts. That's no small feat, especially considering Niche evaluates over 93,000 public schools and 30,000 private schools across the nation.

Even more exciting? FCS has consistently received an A+ overall grade every single year since Niche began publishing these rankings in 2020. That kind of consistency speaks volumes about the dedication of our educators, staff, students, and families.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, student, or neighbor, this recognition is something we all have in common. It reflects the heart and hard work that go into making FCS a place where every learner is safe, connected, and thriving.

Let's keep the momentum going—and continue building a district we're proud to call home.

Forsyth County Schools Earns Economic Development Partnership Designation

Forsyth County Schools has been named an official Economic Development Partnership (EDP) district by the Georgia Department of Education, in collaboration with GEDA and Georgia Power. This prestigious designation recognizes the district’s excellence in aligning K–12 education with workforce development and economic growth.

Through robust Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways, expanded work-based learning, and strong industry partnerships, Forsyth County Schools equips students with real-world skills while actively contributing to regional business recruitment and retention. The EDP honor highlights the district’s leadership in preparing a career-ready, technically skilled workforce and its commitment to long-term economic vitality.

Click here to learn more about the EDP designation.

Leaders In Action

Forsyth Central High School Principal, Tracey Winkler, and Assistant Principal Louis Daniel were recently honored during the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Leadership Awards. Winkler and Daniel were recognized for their exemplary work. On hand to celebrate alongside these two leaders was Forsyth County School’s superintendent Dr. Mitch Young. #theforsythway

Congratulations, FCS Teachers of the Year!

We are proud to recognize and celebrate our Teachers of the Year! These outstanding educators were selected for their dedication, creativity, and passion for helping every student succeed. Each honoree represents the very best of Forsyth County Schools, bringing learning to life every day in their classrooms.

Forsyth County Schools Welcomes New Teachers with Mascots

On behalf of Forsyth County Schools, welcome to a new school year! We are so excited to partner with you as we begin another year of learning, growth, and connection.

Together, we’re building a safe, connected, and thriving school community for every student, every family, and every school.

Please come back often for community update on students and staff.