Forsyth County Schools


Forsyth County Schools is a public school district in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States, based in Cumming. FCS serves over 55,000 students and is the largest employer in the county with over 8,000 full-time employees and substitutes. Out of 180 school districts, FCS is the fifth largest school system in Georgia.

History

The district was established in 1873. At that time, there were a total of 1,456 students, with 114 being black or African American and 1,342 being white. The district's oldest school still in operation is Big Creek Elementary School built in 1939.

Schools

There are 23 elementary, 11 middle and 8 high schools as of the 2024–2025 school year.
In Georgia, FCS has 10 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 12 Governor's Office of Student Achievement award-winning schools, is an Advanced Placement Honor Roll District, has the highest credit rating from Moody's and SP and the highest SAT score. Among Metro-Atlanta and large districts, FCS has the highest ACT score, highest CCRPI score, highest county graduation rate and the highest financial efficiency rating.
FCS provides learning opportunities for students, including the opportunity to earn high school credit in middle school, AP credits and college dual enrollment courses in high school, the STEM Academy at Forsyth Central High School, and an International Baccalaureate program at South Forsyth High School. The district was the first in Georgia to make up inclement weather days with online learning.
High schools:
Middle schools:
  • DeSana
  • Hendricks
  • Lakeside
  • Liberty
  • Little Mill
  • North Forsyth
  • Otwell
  • Piney Grove
  • Riverwatch
  • South Forsyth
  • Vickery Creek
Elementary schools:
  • Big Creek
  • Brandywine
  • Brookwood
  • Chattahoochee
  • Chestatee
  • Coal Mountain
  • Cumming
  • Daves Creek
  • Haw Creek
  • Johns Creek
  • Kelly Mill
  • Mashburn
  • Matt
  • Midway
  • New Hope
  • Poole's Mill
  • Sawnee
  • Settles Bridge
  • Sharon
  • Shiloh Point
  • Silver City
  • Vickery Creek
  • Whitlow

    Technology

FCS is internationally recognized for being a leader in instructional and operational technology. This includes 1:1 computing ratios and internal broadcasting systems in all schools, as well as each classroom being equipped with permanent interactive boards. All full-time teachers are provided notebook computers, email, and websites/social media tools. Parents are provided with online communication tools so that they may monitor students' assignments and grades 24 hours a day. The district was among the first in the nation to utilize BYOT, which allows students to bring their own technology to use in the classroom. All students and teachers use the online learning management system Canvas, an Instructure product.

Administration

Board of education

The board of education is the governing body of the school system. Members are elected by the public to represent one of five districts to which they serve staggered four-year terms.
, the members of the board are:
  • Wes McCall
  • Trisha Hoyes
  • Dorian Usherwood
  • Chris Grimes
  • Mike Valdes
For 2025, Valdes serves as chair and McCall serves as vice-chair.

Superintendent

James Mitchell Young is the Forsyth County Schools superintendent. He began serving as the deputy superintendent on June 1, 2021, and then later replaced Jeff Bearden as the superintendent on July 1, 2024.