2026 Northeast Georgia Student Technology Regional Competition Winners!

Congratulations to our students who competed in the 2026 Regional Student Technology Competition.

February 11, 2026

2026 District Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Hailey Zuniga, a 7th grader from Russell Middle School, for winning the Barrow County School System 2026 District Spelling Bee!

February 9, 2026

BCSS Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl 2026

The 2026 Barrow County School System Helen Ruffin Picture Book Reading Bowl was held January 23, 2026, at the Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy (BASA) with the following participating teams:

February 9, 2026

2026 GHP Semifinalists

Congratulations to Lilly Sheller of Winder-Barrow High School and Ben Stockwell of the Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy for being selected to advance to the Governor’s Honors Program semifinalist

February 9, 2026

2026 Barrow Robotics at the Northeast Georgia League Tournament

Barrow Robotics Program’s three high school FTC teams delivered an unforgettable performance at the Northeast Georgia League Tournament, hosted at East Jackson High School.

February 9, 2026

2025-2026 Bright Ideas Grants

Thank you to our District Partner in Education Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) for their continued support of our schools! For the 2025-2026 school year, all five BCSS middle schools ...

February 9, 2026

Board Briefs: February 2026

Read below for a summary of the February 2026 BCSS Board of Education Meeting. Academics & Student Success It's Time to Apply for the Pre-K Lottery! The BCSS Pre-K Lottery application window is...

February 6, 2026

S.O.U.Per Bowl

The annual S.O.U.PER Bowl Competition is underway! This district-wide event supports the Barrow Food Pantry in serving Barrow County. The top elementary, middle, and high school SOUPer Bowl winning...

February 5, 2026

Dr. Lauren Carter Promoted to Elementary Education Director 

Congratulations to Dr. Lauren Carter on her promotion to Director of Elementary Education for the Barrow County School System. The Board of Education approved the career move at their February 3,

February 4, 2026

2026 BCSS Parent Comprehensive Needs Assessment Survey

Please complete this survey as part of our annual needs assessment. Your feedback is valuable to school and district improvement planning processes for the 2026-2027 school year. This form will be ...

February 2, 2026

2026 STAR Students and STAR Teachers

Congratulations to our 2026 STAR Students and their selected STAR Teachers! STAR Students: Seth Johnson, Apalachee High School Keely Schmook, Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy Josie McElhannon, Wi...

January 22, 2026

2026 District Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Hailey Zuniga, a 7th grader from Russell Middle School, for winning the Barrow County School System 2026 District Spelling Bee!The runner-up is Jude Bastedo, a 8th grader from Ar...

January 16, 2026

Board Briefs: January 2026

Read below for a summary of the January 2026 BCSS Board of Education Meeting. Academics & Student Success Mid-Year Safety Update The Board of Education received a mid-year review on key school ...

January 9, 2026

5 Things to Know for January 2026

5 Things to Know BCSS Family, here are five things to know as we start a new month! 1) Lottery Application Windows The BCSS Pre-K Program will begin accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Pre-K L...

January 6, 2026

BCSS Attendance Policy

We value the health and safety of our students and staff and are closely monitoring the flu situation. Our current attendance policy (below) is based on state law and allows for these types of situ...

January 6, 2026

2025 District Technology Competition

145 of Barrow’s best, brightest, and boldest students competed in the school system’s sixth annual Student Technology Competition on December 11, 2025. These students presented 114 projects nominat...

January 6, 2026

Welcome Back

Dear BCSS Family, I hope this message finds you and your loved ones refreshed and rejuvenated after a restful Winter Break. As we welcome students and staff back to our schools, I want to take a mo...

January 5, 2026

2026-2031 Strategic Plan Community Feedback Update

The thoughtful and engaging process continues to develop the Barrow County School System’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. On Monday, December 8, 2025, a planning team meeting made up of school system st...

December 5, 2025

BCSS Board Briefs - December 2025

Academics & Student Success Student Calendars Approved for 2026-2027 & 2027-2028 The Barrow County Board of Education approved the student calendars for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school y...

December 3, 2025

5 BCSS Schools Recognized as Literacy and Math Leaders

The Georgia Department of Education has recognized five Barrow County School System schools for exceptional growth in literacy and/or mathematics during the 2024-2025 school year. These honors

November 13, 2025

BARROW SCHOOLS SEE GAINS IN CCRPI AT ALL LEVELS

Barrow County School System saw notable gains for the 2024-25 school year compared to prior years on the College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). The Georgia Department of Education

November 12, 2025

HB581 / 92: Public Hearings to Opt Out

The Barrow County Board of Education intends to opt out of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption for the Barrow County School District. All concerned citizens are invited

November 11, 2025

BASA's Enrollment Application is Live!

BASA is an innovative high school where we provide an inclusive learning community where everyone feels valued, empowered, supported, and prepared for the real world. Learners have many

November 10, 2025

Join Us: BOLDer Together Family Engagement Night!

Don't miss the session on Nov. 13 at Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy from 5:30pm-7pm. You will be able to participate in interactive science learning stations. Learn more! Read

November 5, 2025

BCSS Board Briefs - November 2025

Academics & Student Success Student Calendars for 2026-2027 & 2027-2028 Drafts of the Student Calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years are now posted to eBoard for public review. ...

November 5, 2025

BCSS School Nutrition Honored with 2025 Farm to School Award

Congratulations to Barrow County School System's School Nutrition team for receiving the 2025 Georgia Farm to School Award from the Georgia Department of Education. This award celebrates their

November 4, 2025

November Mental Health Sessions for Families

November 3, 2025

2026-2027 Student Transfer Requests

Georgia State Law, often referred to as HB 251, gives parents of public school students the option to request a transfer for their child to another school within their district where space is

November 3, 2025

Super Star Teacher for October 2025

Recruitment and Induction Coordinator Dr. Nicole Baker, Ms. Samanth Chang, WBHS Principal Rebbie Lichliter, Science Teacher John Cundey, Human Resources Director Meggan McNally   Congratulations

October 30, 2025

Congratulations 2025-26 REACH Georgia Scholars!

Congratulations to our 2025-26 REACH Scholars for Barrow County School System! Read

October 29, 2025

2025 Developmental Screenings for Children Ages 2 ½ - 5

Oct. 29, 2025 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Statham Elementary School 1970 Broad St., Statham To schedule a Child Find Developmental Screening for children ages 2 1/2 to 5 years old, call 770-867-4527 to

October 27, 2025

Help Write Our Story: 2026-2031 Strategic Plan

Be a part of writing the next chapters for the Barrow County School System. We are now crafting our next Strategic Plan that will help guide us during the 2026-2031 school years. Strategic

October 20, 2025

Please Join Us: Strategic Plan Community Meeting Oct. 27

Be a part of writing the next chapters for the Barrow County School System.We are now crafting our next Strategic Plan that will help guide us during the 2026-2031 school years. Strategic planning ...

October 17, 2025

BCSS Board Briefs - October 2025

Academics & Student Success 2025 BCSS Graduation Rate Reaches Record High 92.7% Congratulations to the Barrow County School System Class of 2025 for achieving the highest graduation rate in BCS...

October 15, 2025

Attendance Matters: Attend & Achieve

When students miss school, not only do we miss them - they miss out. Consistent attendance is critical for your child’s learning, growth, and long-term success. There is a new Georgia law that

October 12, 2025

Student Code of Conduct Reminder

BCSS Families,   As we near the middle of the first half of the 2025-26 school year, we ask you to please review the Student Code of Conduct once again with your child. We need your help to stress

October 12, 2025

Safety Message from BCSS & BCSO

BCSS Family,  We need your help, please. Over the weekend, Barrow County Sheriff Deputies responded to reports of students who said they were “playing a game” that involved them wearing masks and

September 2, 2025

Multi-Agency Safety Training at HES

Barrow County first responders and multiple law enforcement agencies will participate in a multi-agency functional training exercise at Holsenbeck Elementary School during the Teacher Planning Day

August 27, 2025

BOE Attends Annual SRO Training

Each summer, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers (SROs) conduct multiple scenario-based training exercises in our schools. The exercises help ensure they are prepared and

August 6, 2025

Safety & HB268 Update

The Barrow County School System is continuing to work to enhance and refine school safety and comply with new and existing state laws. A presentation during the July 29 Board of Education Work

August 6, 2025

Don't Miss Out on School Benefits

We encourage all families to complete our School Benefit Application each year to see if your student qualifies to receive extra benefits for school, like free or reduced meals and more listed

July 7, 2025

2025 Summer Meals

We encourage all families to take advantage of the opportunity to provide children with nutritious meals at no cost during June 2025. Visit Winder-Barrow High School during the days and times

May 23, 2025

Summer 2025 Tech Update: Returning Devices

BCSS Families, please read below for information from our IT Department concerning the process to return district-issued devices for the summer. 1:1 Chromebooks: Elementary School

May 19, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Eveny Diaz

As we near the end of the 2024-2025 school year, we are so excited to celebrate another senior who exemplifies perseverance, determination, resilience, and growth, Ms. Eveny Diaz.  At the start of

May 6, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Makenzie Pilgrim

Makenzie Pilgrim is an Apalachee student who is doing absolutely phenomenal work this school year. She is currently excelling in her Early Childhood Education courses at Lanier Tech and is well on

April 21, 2025

Online Mental Health Resources for Families

Through the Cook Center for Human Connection, there are videos available for you to get guidance concerning mental health concerns that children may experience. ParentGuidance.org is an online

April 1, 2025

REACH GA Scholarship Selection Criteria

If your rising 8th grade is interested in the REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia Scholarship, this is the selection criteria to know. Must provide documentation of ONE of

March 31, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Jessia Carter

For sophomore Jessia Carter, the transformation she has undergone in the past two years demonstrates her determination and resilience.  Her story is characterized by perseverance, support, and

March 28, 2025

2025 Governor's Honors Program

Congratulations to Barrow County School System's 2025 Semifinalists and Finalists in the Governor's Honors Program (GHP)! We are thrilled to announce the following BCSS students were named

March 21, 2025

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Project AWARE successfully conducted its inaugural Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course. This significant event brought together School Resource Officers (SROs), school nurses, special

March 20, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Tiffany Gonzalez Ramirez

Tiffany Gonzalez Ramirez is an Apalachee senior who has come a long way since she started high school. Despite falling a little off track early in her high school career, Tiffany has excelled and

March 17, 2025

2025 AP Honor Schools

Congratulations to Apalachee High School, Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy, and Winder-Barrow High School for being recognized as Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of

February 28, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Jason Ramos

Senior Jason Ramos has a bright future ahead of him with a goal of attending Lanier Technical College’s firefighter program. At the beginning of this school year, it did not seem this goal would

February 24, 2025

BCSS IT Expert Shares Tech Lessons with Students

[Written by: Dan Woschitz | Westside Middle Engineering & Technology Teacher] Barrow County School System's Innovation Support/Network Administrator Kevin McCage spoke to Dr. Stewart's Career

February 20, 2025

Project AWARE

The Barrow County School System has dedicated teams who collaboratively focus on student mental health concerns. Our School Social Workers, Counselors, Project Aware Program Manager, and Clinicians

February 20, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Eric Garcia & Wuilmer Guerra

Eric Garcia and Wuilmer Gerra are two Apalachee seniors who are making great strides towards graduation while gaining industry skills at Lanier Technical College. They are both also doing excellent

February 3, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Samantha Martin

As a junior at Winder Barrow High School, Samantha Martin is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and having a strong support system.  As with many students, her educational journey

January 21, 2025

Grad Track Spotlight: Gavin Grider

Many students struggle with the transition from middle school to high school. Gavin Grider was no exception. Due to his poor grades and attendance, faculty began intervening very early during

December 9, 2024

Grad Track Spotlight: Beau

After the shooting at Apalachee on September 4, 2024, a group of teachers and staff from Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan reached out to some of the AHS staff members to offer support. Oxford

December 9, 2024

BOLDer Together: Family Engagement & Understanding MAP Scores

During the November session of the BOLDer Together Engagement Series, families learned innovative skills to foster creativity in learning, thanks to the fantastic team from ArtsNow. This session

November 19, 2024

2023-2024 AP Exam Update

Advanced Placement (AP) exam results for the 2023-2024 school show about 10% more Barrow County School System students took the tests than during the previous school year. Students need to score a

August 6, 2024

Tech Update: End of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

BCSS Families, please read below for information from our IT Department concerning the end of the Bring Your Own Device/Technology program and what it means for your student. The essential

July 1, 2024

Recent Graduate Transcript Requests

To have your transcript sent to your college by July 1, your request must be submitted by 4 p.m. June 26.   In-State Requests (Georgia Schools) If you are a graduating senior requesting

May 17, 2024

Laura Jones Named State Finalist for 2024 Governor's Honors Program

Laura Jones has been selected to represent Apalachee High School as a 2024 State finalist for Biology/Enviromental Science in the Governor's Honors Program. State Finalists will attend a four-week

April 18, 2024

AHS Reach Georgia Scholars Help the Community through Clarion Club

The REACH Georgia scholars at Apalachee High School are piloting a new program this year called Clarion Club offered through the non-profit Because One Matters. Because One Matters provides

March 27, 2024

Classroom Management Professional Learning

Barrow County School System (BCSS) educators appreciated the opportunity to hear from Brian Mendler as part of their professional learning. Bear Creek Middle School administrators scheduled the

January 5, 2024

REACH Georgia 2023-24 Signing Day

The Barrow County School System hosted a celebration on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 as the 2023-24 REACH Georgia Scholars signed their commitment forms. REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can

November 13, 2023

Bridging Cultures & Creating Community

The Barrow County Newcomer Academy's student-led, Spanish Podcast about Latin culture and experiences focused on bridging cultures and creating community. The Newcomer Academy serves high school

May 25, 2023

2023 Georgia Governor's Honor Program Finalists

The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for skilled, knowledgeable, and talented high school sophomores and juniors. GHP provides students with academic,

May 1, 2023

Barrow Book Boxes

Thank you to District Partner in Education Zaxby's and their "Urgency to Serve Grants" for helping to make "Barrow Book Boxes" a reality! During the 2021-2022 school year, 38 students from the

June 14, 2022

Professional Learning Day Opportunities

Professional Learning (PL) Days for staff may mean no school for students but the learning continues for instructional and support staff. The days offer opportunities for staff to participate in

November 3, 2021

Four Middle School Students REACH for a Brighter Future

The future just got brighter for students named as Barrow County School System’s 2020 REACH Scholars. REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia is the State of Georgia’s first

September 16, 2019