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Data and Figures Reveal Shifts as Metro Atlanta Schools Prepare for July 31 Start
Chronic absenteeism falls to 19.5 percent while tuition at state colleges rises between 1 and 3 percent this fall.
How we reported this
Atlanta Public Schools and two other large metro districts open classes on July 31, 2026, according to district calendars tracked by state education reporters. Georgia's chronic absenteeism rate stands at 19.5 percent for the most recent reporting period, the lowest figure recorded since the 2019-20 school year.
Attendance and Cost Metrics
The drop in chronic absenteeism reflects fewer students missing 10 percent or more of school days across Georgia districts. State data show the rate has improved from higher pandemic-era levels without returning to pre-2020 figures. Atlanta Public Schools plans to close the George Washington Carver STEAM Academy after the 2026-2027 school year under a restructuring plan aimed at cutting costs and adjusting enrollment numbers.
Georgia public colleges and universities will raise tuition by 1 percent to 3 percent for the fall semester. Fulton County Schools is introducing a tuition-based enrollment option at select high schools, creating a new revenue stream tied directly to per-student payments. These changes coincide with the Georgia Early Literacy Act, which mandates use of science-of-reading materials in early grades, and a statewide classroom cellphone ban that could extend to high schools.
Next Steps for Families and Districts
Parents can review individual school calendars on district websites to confirm exact start dates and bell schedules. Districts will release updated enrollment projections and budget documents that incorporate the tuition increases and the planned closure of Carver STEAM Academy. State education officials continue to track attendance data monthly to measure whether the 19.5 percent absenteeism rate holds through the coming year.
School leaders will distribute new literacy curriculum lists required under the Early Literacy Act and issue cellphone policy notices before the July 31 opening. Families in Fulton County can obtain details on the tuition-based high school program through the district's enrollment office. Updated figures on college costs and district attendance will appear in fall reports from the Georgia Department of Education.