May 12, 2026
Academic Lettering Program
Students become eligible for an Academic Letter during the Fall of their sophomore year.
Academics Home
Academics at BCSS
The BCSS Academics team works collaboratively with all schools and system leaders to support the key focus areas identified through our Barrow County School System Strategic Plan/Balanced Scorecard and our System Charter.
BCSS Academics At a Glance
17
Total schools
3
Programs
15,100
Students
16:1
Student to teacher ratio
91%
Average graduation rate
44
Clubs and Extracurriculars
Academics News
February 18, 2026
2026 Valedictorians & Salutatorians
Congratulations to the 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorians.
February 18, 2026
2026 STAR Students & Teachers
These outstanding seniors earned the highest SAT scores in their schools and rank within the top 10% of their class. It was inspiring to hear their stories and learn about the teachers they selected.
Academics Department Contacts
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Dr. Katherine Brown
Chief Academic Officer
Email: katherine.brown@barrow.k12.ga.us
Dr. Katherine Brown has nearly 20 years of experience in education, including teaching, enrichment and gifted education specialist positions, and school administration. She is focused on providing differentiated learning experiences for students that foster a lifelong love of learning.
Dr. Brown has received several honors and awards, including being selected as the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals District 2 President and a New Principal Coach and Bootcamp Leader. She also earned the Georgia Council for Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of Promise Award and National Association for Gifted Children Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Award. While teaching in Barrow County, her classroom was filmed by the Georgia Department of Education as a model for teachers.
Dr. Brown and her husband are both educators. They have four children and love traveling to national parks and monuments. A favorite of theirs is camping at the Dry Tortugas National Park.
EDUCATION:- B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education | Valdosta State University, 2005
- M.Ed. Educational Psychology | University of Georgia, 2007
- Ph.D. Educational Psychology | University of Georgia, 2011
Dr. Brown’s professional certifications include:
- Clear and Renewable T-7 Certificate-Early Childhood Education, Pre-K-5
- Georgia Educational Leadership Building Level Certificate
- Dyslexia Endorsement (Awarded Summer 2025)
- Gifted Education Endorsement
Pre-K, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education
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Shawn Puckett
Academics Administrative Assistant
Email: shawn.puckett@barrow.k12.ga.us