CHATTOOGA COUNTY, Ga. — For students in Chattooga County, they get to experience a different kind of schedule compared to most students in Georgia.
That’s because instead of the traditional 5-day school schedule, they only have to go to class four days a week.
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Friday marked the first day of school for Chattooga County Schools. Superintendent Dr. Michelle Helie says this is about the earliest the district in northwest Georgia will ever start.
“In order to get every Monday off in a calendar, you have to come back to school a little earlier, so we actually go 38 weeks instead of 36 to get the instructional days in that are required by the DOE,” she told Channel 2 Action News This Morning.
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The district switched to a 4-day school week few years ago and is one of only a few Georgia districts to have it.
The 4-day school week across all five schools in the county helps save on energy and transportation costs, student attendance and teacher retention.
“I never heard anyone complain about the four days, even though we do go longer, we had to make up for it,” one teacher told Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach.
Having Mondays off also allows families and teachers to schedule appointments or let students work a job.
“It’s good for our students because it gives them an extra day to work sometimes, especially if they’re working to help support their family in some way,” Helie said.
Haralson County Schools also does a 4-day schedule. The district returns on August 4.
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Georgia's top elementary schools What are the best elementary schools in Georgia? Niche.com ranked the top schools based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, student-teacher ratio, student diversity, teacher quality, grade school ratings, and the overall quality of the school district. (WSB-TV)
25 - Colham Ferry Elementary School Colham Ferry Elementary School is in Oconee County. (Cox Media Group)
24 - Timber Ridge Elementary School Timber Ridge Elementary School is in Cobb County. (Cox Media Group)
23 - Kelly Mill Elementary School Kelly Mill Elementary School is in Forsyth County. (Cox Media Group)
22 - New Glennwood Elementary School New Glennwood Elementary School is part of Decatur City Schools. (Cox Media Group)
21 - International Charter School of Atlanta International Charter School of Atlanta is in Fulton County. (Cox Media Group)
20 - Westchester Elementary School Westchester Elementary School is part of Decatur City Schools. (WSB-TV)
19 - High Shoals Elementary School High Shoals Elementary School is in Oconee County. (Cox Media Group)
18 - Kedron Elementary School Kedron Elementary School is in Fayette County.
17 - Shiloh Point Elementary School Shiloh Point Elementary School is in Forsyth County. (Cox Media Group)
16 - Daves Creek Elementary School Daves Creek Elementary School is in Forsyth County.
15 - Rocky Branch Elementary School Rocky Branch Elementary School is in Oconee County.
14 - Oakhurst Elementary School Oakhurst Elementary School is part of Decatur City Schools. (Cox Media Group)
13 - Johns Creek Elementary Johns Creek Elementary is in Forsyth County.
12 - Sharon Elementary School Sharon Elementary School is in Forsyth County. (Photo: Forsyth County Schools)
11 - Haw Creek Elementary School Haw Creek Elementary School is in Forsyth County. (Cox Media Group)
10 - Yi Hwang Academy of Language Excellence Yi Hwang Academy of Language Excellence is in Gwinnett County. (WFTV)
9 - Settles Bridge Elementary School Settles Bridge Elementary School is in Forsyth County. (Cox Media Group)
8 - George W. Whitlow Elementary School George W. Whitlow Elementary School is in Forsyth County. (Cox Media Group)
7 - Midway Elementary School Midway Elementary School is in Forsyth County.
6 - Brookwood Elementary School Brookwood Elementary School is in Forsyth County.
5 - Malcom Bridge Elementary School Malcom Bridge Elementary School is in Oconee County. (WHIO)
4 - Atlanta Classical Academy Atlanta Classical Academy is part of Atlanta Public Schools. (Cox Media Group)
3 - Big Creek Elementary School Big Creek Elementary School is in Forsyth County. (Photo: Forsyth County Schools)
2 - Buford Academy Buford Academy is part of Buford City Schools and includes grades 1-2. (Google)
1 - Buford Senior Academy Buford Senior Academy is part of Buford City Schools and includes grades 3-5. (Google)
Best Public High Schools in Georgia What are the best public high schools in Georgia? Niche.com ranked the top schools in Georgia, based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality, and high school ratings. SAT/ACT scores have been removed from this year's rankings to reflect a general de-emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process.
30 - Starr's Mill High School Located in Fayette County, Mill Creek High School has 1,357 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, according to Niche. (Wikipedia)
29 - Mill Creek High School Located in Gwinnett County, Mill Creek High School has 2,782 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, according to Niche.
28 - Peachtree Ridge High School Located in Gwinnett County, Peachtree Ridge High School has 3,155 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, according to Niche. (Wikipedia)
27 - Kennesaw Mountain High School Located in Cobb County, Kennesaw Mountain High School has 1,695 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, according to Niche. (Wikipedia)
26 - Wheeler High School Located in Cobb County, Wheeler High School has 2,401 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, according to Niche. (Wikipedia)
25 - Atlanta Classical Academy Located in Fulton County (Atlanta Public Schools), Atlanta Classical Academy has 697 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, according to Niche.
24 - Lassiter High School Located in Fulton County, Lassiter High School has 2,005 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, according to Niche. (Lassiter High School PTSA)
23 - Savannah Arts Academy Located in Chatham County, Savannah Arts Academy has 801 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. (Google)
22 - Brookwood High School Located in Gwinnett County, Brookwood High School has 3,803 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, according to Niche.
21 - Cambridge High School Located in Fulton County, Cambridge High School has 1,602 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, according to Niche. (Fulton County Schools)
20 - Midtown High School Located in Fulton County (Atlanta Public Schools), Midtown High School has 1,696 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, according to Niche. (WSBTV.com News Staff)
19 - Paul Duke STEM High School Located in Gwinnett County, Paul Duke STEM High School has 1,509 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. (Wikipedia)
18 - Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Located in Richmond County, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School has 747 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. (Google)
17 - FCS Innovation Academy Located in Fulton County, FCS Innovation Academy has 1,507 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, according to Niche.
16 - North Oconee High School Located in Oconee County, North Oconee High School has 1,432 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, according to Niche.
15 - Denmark High School Located in Forsyth County, Denmark High School has 2,527 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, according to Niche.
14 - McIntosh High School Located in Fayette County, McIntosh High School has 1,762 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. (Google)
13 - Johns Creek High School Located in Fulton County, Johns Creek High School has 1,789 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, according to Niche.
12 - South Forsyth High School Located in Forsyth County, South Forsyth High School has 2,634 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, according to Niche. (Google Maps)
11 - North Gwinnett High School Located in Gwinnett County, North Gwinnett High School has 3,033 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, according to Niche. (Google Maps)
10 - Buford High School Located in Gwinnett County (Buford City Schools), Buford High School has 1,985 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, according to Niche. (Nelson Hicks)
9 - Walton High School Located in Cobb County, Walton High School has 2,705 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, according to Niche. (Google Maps)
8 - Milton High School Located in Fulton County, Milton High School has 1,999 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. (Google)
7 - Alpharetta High School Located in Fulton County, Alpharetta High School has 2,024 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. (Google)
6 - Chattahoochee High School Located in Fulton County, Chattahoochee High School has 1,730 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. (Google)
5 - Northview High School Located in Fulton County, Columbus High School has 1,591 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. (Google)
4 - Lambert High School Located in Forsyth County, Lambert High School has 3,249 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, according to Niche. (Google Maps)
3 - Columbus High School Located in Muscogee County, Columbus High School has 1,161 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1. (Google)
2 - Alliance Academy for Innovation Located in Forsyth County, Alliance Academy for Innovation has 1,145 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1. (Google)
1. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Located in Gwinnett County, Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology has 1,304 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, according to Niche.
Top 25 Private High Schools What are the best private high schools in Georgia? Niche.com ranked the top schools, based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents. Ranking factors include the quality of colleges that students consider, student-teacher ratio, private school ratings, and more. SAT/ACT scores have been removed from this year's rankings to reflect a general de-emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process. Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education, Niche users, and the schools directly.
No. 25: Holy Spirit Preparatory School Holy Spirit Preparatory School is in Atlanta. (Holy Spirit Preparatory School Facebook)
No. 24: Lakeview Academy Lakeview Academy is in Gainesville, Ga.
No. 23: Genesis Academy Genesis Academy is in Oakwood.
No. 22 Mount Vernon School The Mount Vernon School is in Sandy Springs.
No. 21: Mount Paran Christian School Mount Paran Christian School is in Kennesaw.
No. 20 Savannah Country Day School Savannah Country Day School is in Savannah.
No. 19: Darlington School The Darlington School is in Rome.
No. 18: Lyndon Academy Lyndon Academy is in Holly Springs.
No. 17: Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta Holy Innocents' Episcopal School is in Atlanta.
No. 16- Mount Pisgah Christian in Johns Creek, GA Mount Pisgah Christian is in Johns Creek.
No. 15: Heritage Preparatory School Heritage Preparatory School is in Atlanta.
No. 14: Greater Atlanta Christian in Gwinnett County Greater Atlanta Christian is in Norcross.
No. 13: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is in Rabun Gap. Photo: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School FB page
No. 12: Notre Dame Academy in Duluth Notre Dame Academy is in Duluth.
No. 11 The Lovett School The Lovett School is in Atlanta. (File photo: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
No. 10 Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, Ga. Pinecrest Academy is in Cumming.
No. 9: Augusta Prep Augusta Preparatory Day School is in Augusta.
No. 8: Woodward Academy in College Park Woodward Academy is in College Park.
No. 7: Athens Academy Athens Academy is in Athens. (Athens Academy Facebook )
No. 6: The Walker School The Walker School is in Marietta.
No. 5: The Paideia School in Atlanta The Paideia School is in Atlanta.
No. 4: Atlanta International School The Atlanta International School (not pictured) is in Atlanta. (Cox Media Group)
No. 3: The Westminster School The Westminster School is in Atlanta.
No. 2: Fulton Science Academy Private School Fulton Science Academy Private School is in Alpharetta.
No. 1 Pace Academy Pace Academy is in Atlanta. (pace Academy)