APS Regions and Clusters

Atlanta Public Schools and the Cluster Model

Stable communities and stable school clusters often result in stable, quality schools.

As a result, beginning in 2012-2013, Atlanta Public Schools will operate according to a cluster model. We will form 9 clusters composed of dedicated elementary schools feeding into dedicated middle schools and ultimately into dedicated high schools. Our expectation is that every school within every cluster will follow a rigorous curriculum. All students will have access to music, arts, foreign language and core academic programs that are high quality and well coordinated – from start to finish, from kindergarten through Grade 12. We believe the cluster model will decrease the dropout rate and instruction, especially as we begin implementing the Common Core State Standards across the curriculum this school year.

While periodic diseconomies between clusters may, at times, surface, we believe that the defined clusters should remain stable throughout the planning period.

Learn more about APS Regions and Clusters.