Spring 2025 Essentials

A Message from Dr. Al Taylor

     It is an honor to serve as Interim Superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). As the Board of Education searches for our next superintendent, my priority is to ensure stability, build trust, and keep student success at the center of everything we do.

     During this time of transition, my team and I will be actively engaging with students, families, educators, and community partners— listening, collaborating, and focusing on key priorities:

• Strengthening relationships and building trust
• Accelerating academic achievement
• Ensuring safe and welcoming schools
• Engaging with our families and communities
• Using our resources wisely to support student success

     However, this moment for GCPS is not just about transition—it is about progress. With a clear path forward, we will build on our strengths and embrace new opportunities that will help every student thrive. Our Transition Plan outlines the steps we are taking to ensure a smooth leadership shift and continued success for GCPS. I encourage you to stay informed by visiting www.gcpsk12.org/ transition-plan for updates on our work and the superintendent search.

As we near the end of the 2024–25 school year, I want to thank you for your support and partnership. This publication highlights key district updates, upcoming events, and the impact of our E-SPLOST improvements—all of which help us create better learning environments for our students. Please be sure to monitor district and school newsletters for upcoming opportunities to engage with our Board of Education and myself about the Transition Plan, our capital program, next year’s budget, and other critical district updates.

     Looking ahead to the 2025–26 school year, I am hopeful and confident in our future. We are excited to welcome our incoming Kindergartners, the Class of 2038, as well as new and returning students this fall. The first day of the 2025–26 school year is Monday, August 4. Together, we have built a strong foundation, and I remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition that keeps student and staff success, safety, and well-being at the heart of all we do. 

Committed to excellence, together,

Dr. Al Taylor
Interim Superintendent

Spring into Summer
A GCPS Family Guide for April-August

     We’re excited to share key dates and events to help you stay informed and involved from now through the
start of the new school year. Family engagement makes a big difference in student achievement, and we
want to keep you in the loop every step of the way.

     For the latest updates and details, be sure to download the ParentSquare app for district and school information
to be sent to you directly, and visit your school website and the district website regularly for updated news, events, and resources. Let’s stay connected and make the rest of the year a great one—together!

Registration is open for 2025–26 School Year

• GCPS Pre-K Program Lottery applications close on April 27. Families will be notified on May 8 to let them know if their child has been randomly selected for GCPS Pre-K.
• Kindergarten Registration— If your child will be 5 years old on or before September 1, you can begin registration online now!
• Current GCPS students who are moving to a different address and/or changing home schools will need to complete the GCPS Transfer online registration process.
• Students enrolled under any of the following conditions must renew their form for the 2025–26 school year: Residency Affidavit, Permissive Transfer, Kinship Caregiver Affidavit, Homeless, or Foster Care.

Milestones Testing

     Georgia Milestones tests are state-required assessments that help teachers and schools understand how well students are learning
important skills. Testing will take place April 21 through May 2. Please check your school website for dates and details. Assessment reports will be available through ParentVUE.

     Speaking of ParentVUE... There’s a lot to keep up with as the 2024–25 school year wraps up. 

     Families can use the ParentVUE app to see grade book information, discipline reports, transcripts, calendars, learn about missing assignments, or keep up with fees owed or library books that are checked out. Parents can view final grades for all grade levels, and track progress toward graduation for high school students. Learn more about the app at www.gcpsk12.org/families/parent-vue.

Board of Education meetings this spring and summer

     Board meetings are typically held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Road NW in Suwanee. All meetings, except executive sessions, are open to the public. GCPS TV streams meetings live and recordings are available online.
Regularly scheduled meetings and public budget hearings will take place on these dates:

• April 17—Work session to adopt tentative budget
• May 8—First public budget hearing
• May 15—Second public budget hearing and final adoption; adoption of tentative millage rate, regularly scheduled meeting
• June 26 (4th Thursday)
• July 17
• August 21

Celebrating the Class of 2O25

Congratulations, seniors! GCPS high schools hold graduations from May 15 through May 26.
Check your school website for information about location, time, tickets, parking, and any clear
bag policies that may apply. For all high school students, May 19–21 are early release for exam days, and the last day of school for all students is May 21. Learn more about graduation dates here.

Summer learning opportunities in-person and online

     Students in grades K–8 can access the Digital Summer Support eCLASS page to participate in self-paced, online summer support opportunities in reading and math from June 2 – July 2.
     Schools will contact families of students in grades 3–5 who do not meet promotion requirements to participate in an in-person summer learning program. Students will work in flexible learning groups and teachers will share information in new ways to help students who need additional support to move up to the next grade.
    GCPS’ Face-to-Face High School Summer School is a fee-based program that allows students to take courses to get ahead or to make up a class previously failed. Courses are available to all high school students, including selected courses for rising 9th graders. Registration for the upcoming session closes on May 23, 2025.
     High school summer school will take place at Grayson High School, Norcross High School, and Seckinger High School. The first day of Face-to-Face Summer School is June 9, and the term runs to final exams on July 2. Graduates will take finals and graduate on July 1.
     Gwinnett Online Campus offers online summer school for students in grades 9–12. Students can take courses to get ahead or to make up a class they previously failed. Course fees are $250 per 0.5 credit. Rising 9th graders may register for Online Health and Personal Fitness (PE) only. Both classes are required for graduation. Students may choose to take these classes in the summer to make room for electives in their regular schedule.
Find out more at www.gcpsk12.org/summer-school.

Addressing Concerns at School

The quickest and most effective way to resolve a concern regarding your child is by addressing it at the most direct level. We care about each and every student, and believe that open and honest communication between parents and teachers is a key to student success. Most concerns are resolved at the classroom level.

A Transition Plan for Stability and Growth

     This transition plan, from Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor, is crucial for ensuring stability, continuity, and trust during the leadership transition. The plan serves as a roadmap for addressing immediate priorities while laying the foundation for long-term success and will help guide the selection of the next superintendent.

The transition plan focuses on five priorities:

• Engage stakeholders and build trust
• Accelerate academic achievement
• Enhance student and staff safety and well-being
• Community and family engagement
• Strengthen financial and operational efficiency

     To ensure accountability, progress updates will be shared regularly through weekly updates with staff, monthly summaries shared with the Board of Education, community progress updates via the GCPS website and newsletters, and a final comprehensive report at the August 2025 board meeting. You can find up-to-date information about the Transition Plan at www.gcpsk12.org/transition-plan.

2025 Area Board and Town Hall Meetings

     The Area Board and Town Hall Meetings are an opportunity for families, staff, and the community to engage with their board representative and Dr. Al Taylor, Interim Superintendent.

• April 21 – Mr. Knudsen (District II) at Collins Hill HS
• April 22 – Ms. Stone (District I) at Dacula HS
• April 24 – Dr. Johnson-Morgan (District V) at McClure Health Science HS
• April 28 – Mr. Gasper (District III) at North Gwinnett HS
• April 29 – Dr. Simmons (District IV) at South Gwinnett HS

     Recordings of these meetings will be available on the GCPS TV webpage—vimeo.com/showcase/gcps-boe. Responses to questions will be posted to www.gcpsk12.org/board.