CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- As the busses rolled out of Clayton County’s Mount Zion High School, students and parents reacted with shock about the SACS decision despite months of controversy and speculation.

“I’m surprised that we lost. I’m surprised the outcome came out this way. I really expected it to be turned around, or at the most, probation,” said parent Joann Mitchell-Stringer.

All were concerned for the students’ futures. A lot of parents were angry at the Clayton County school board.

“They didn’t do the work that was supposed to be done. They did it in the last 60 days and they had six months to do this improvement,” said parent Mary Ellen Mueller.

A loss of accreditation means the 50,000 Clayton County students could have trouble getting into some colleges or universities or getting scholarship money.

“If we come from a non-accredited school, colleges in different states may look down on us and they may not accept us,” said student Brishanna Kendrick.

“I think it really is the school board’s fault and it shouldn’t be on us,” said student Linnette Jones.

The talk Thursday among students and parents was mostly about moving out of Clayton County to other districts.

“My mom is thinking of moving. She probably even is trying to get me into other schools, like Woodward or something,” said Jones.

“I’ve spent the day looking at other options whether to pull her out of this school, put her in a home program, or put her in one of the Christian academies around here,” said Linnette Jones’ mother.

If Clayton County meets the SACS mandates by Spring, this year’s seniors could still graduate with an accredited diploma.

Because of legislation passed earlier this year by the governor, both juniors and seniors would be able to hold on to HOPE scholarships.