History
Picture of Druid Hills High School (main building, 1952)
The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) was established in 1873 when residents raised $4,200 to launch public education in the county. Named after Baron Johann de Kalb—a German officer who supported the American Revolution—the district's first schools were small, rural institutions serving local communities.
A notable milestone in DCSD’s early history was the creation of the Bruce Street School in Lithonia, the first public school for African American/Black students in DeKalb County and likely one of the first in Georgia. Although the stone school building, often referred to as "the old school building," was constructed in the late 1930s, the school’s roots in community-led education date back to the 1880s.
DeKalb High School, the district’s first high school, was established before 1900 and eventually became part of what is now Decatur High School (currently part of City Schools of Decatur). In 1952, Druid Hills High School and Tucker High School opened their doors. The first elementary school in the district was Doraville, and the first middle school was Stone Mountain.
Historically, Decatur was part of DCSD. However, in 1993, Decatur voters approved a referendum to create an independent city school system, resulting in the formation of City Schools of Decatur. Despite the separation, both districts continue to collaborate to meet the educational needs of the region’s students.
Over the years, DCSD has grown in step with the county's development and is now the 30th largest school district in the U.S. Today, it stands as the third-largest school district in Georgia, serving more than 91,000 students across 138 schools and centers. The district employs over 14,000 staff members, including 6,600 teachers, and spans 257 square miles. Students and families in the district speak more than 177 languages and represent over 155 nations. DCSD offers a wide array of traditional schools and six school choice areas: Dual Language Immersion (DLI), Montessori early learning, International Baccalaureate (IB), Theme, Magnet, and other selections. Visit the elementary, middle, high, and centers for more information.
The district is led by a seven-member Board of Education and an appointed Interim Superintendent, Dr. Norman C. Sauce III. Learn more about their roles and responsibilities here. DCSD’s Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap to guide the district's efforts from 2024-29 by clearly defining goals, priorities, and direction, and to align resources and efforts. To learn more about the district today, including its accomplishments and recognitions, click here.