Area Information

The Heard County School System

For photos and complete information on individual schools, follow the links throughout the text below. 

The Heard County Board of Education is the second largest employer in the county. Of the certified personnel, 62 percent have master's degrees or higher and all are involved in advanced training through staff development. The system offers local salary supplements and benefits and retains well-qualified employees.

Students in Heard County are provided with countless advantages, many of which are locally funded. Additional teachers above state allotment provide for typically small classes and allow Heard County to boast one of the lowest pupil teacher ratios in the state. Teachers for art, music, and physical education are provided in all schools, and every school has a gymnasium. Guidance counselors are available to work with individual students and with groups at all grade levels.

To strengthen the instructional programs, each school has a well-equipped automated media center staffed by a media specialist. Technology also adds instructional support; the system's 2,200 students have access to over 600 computers with more being added yearly. In addition, record keeping such as attendance and grade reporting is computerized allowing teachers more time for instructional tasks with students.

The Heard County School System is proud of its strong curriculum, which emphasizes basic skills instruction and includes supplementary/support components. At all grade levels, pre-kindergarten through 12, advancing and updating the curriculum is an ongoing process in Heard County. Heard County Comprehensive High School offers full instructional programs in college preparatory, vocational education, and special education. Advanced Placement courses are offered in English, Calculus and United States History

With strong community support, Pre-K - 5 grade students are involved in academic and physical education, music, band, art, speech gifted, remedial and special education. Field trips to a variety of sites broaden experiences in science, literature, social studies and many other areas of the curriculum. Accelerated Reader is a popular computerized reading management program available to students in grades 2-8.

Specialized Educational Programs

Students in Heard County Schools are afforded a variety of educational programs designed to enable individual students to develop to their fullest potential. These programs are available to students in each school and range from support programs for students who need remedial education to Advanced Placement Courses for students who need greater academic challenges. Included in the specialized programs are programs for intellectually gifted students as well as programs and related services for students with disabilities.

Throughout the school system a continuum of specialized education programs and related services is available for children with disabilities. Services are available for students in all disability categories. These services range form regular class placement with special modifications in the student's home school to full day programs in centralized facilities. Some services such as those for individuals with hearing impairments, or with serious emotional disabilities are provided through shared service agreements with neighboring school systems. The type of service provided to each student is determined by the development of an Individualized Educational Program. Students and parents are afforded all due process safeguards as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Centralhatchee Elementary School

Rich in history and located in a small, quaint, and friendly community, Centralhatchee Elementary School is a wonderful place to learn. Recently named TOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in the State of Georgia in CCRPI scores, this little school is a two-time National Blue Ribbon School. 

Today, nestled underneath huge shade trees, a fast Novell computer network connects students and staff in Pre-K-5 classrooms. Students are actively involved in Accelerated Reading, Accelerated Math, the Georgia Association of Educators Spelling Bee, as well as, enrichment activities in the classroom. Additionally, students participate in programs such as Book-It, Jump Rope for Heart, 600-MinuteReadingProgram, and various other activities which encourage students to achieve.

In addition to the regular curriculum, classes are offered in physical education, music, art, and computer.  Classes for gifted students, remedial education, and special education are available.  The Media Center provides students, faculty, and staff with current reading materials and assistance with computer, resource, and research skills.  Educational satellite and cable television programs air on the school's distribution system to enhance the educational experience of each student.

A very active Parent-Teacher Organization and School Council ensure that parental involvement is encouraged.  Centralhatchee Elementary prides itself in offering a pleasant learning environment for its' students.

Ephesus Elementary School

A dedicated faculty and staff, as well as, supportive parents ensure that the students at Ephesus Elementary School receive quality education.  In addition to the regular curriculum, classes are offered in physical education, music, band, and art.  Students also attend classes in the computer lab to reinforce both academic areas and technology skills.  Classes for gifted students, remedial education, and special education are available.

The Media Center provides students, faculty, and staff with current reading materials and assistance with computer, resource, and research skills.  Educational satellite and cable television programs air on the school's distribution system to enhance the educational experience of each student.  Each morning the students view a student-produced tv show called "Good Morning Ephesus" on the school's tv/satellite distribution system.

Students are actively involved in Accelerated Reading, Accelerated Math, the Georgia Association of Educators Spelling Bee, as well as, enrichment activities in the classroom.  Additionally, students participate in programs such as Book-It, Jump Rope for Heart, 600-Minute Reading Program, and various other activities which encourage students to achieve.

Field trips to a variety of sites broaden experiences in science, literature, social studies and many other areas of the curriculum.  Olympic Day is one of the most anticipated activities each year.  From the early morning torch run from Franklin, to the last event of the day, students enjoy the activities which culminates studies of countries and preparation as athletes.  

In the early part of the century, students in the Ephesus Community met in a one room school house near the Ephesus Baptist Church. Some residents remember attending this school as children. (circa 1907).

Heard County Elementary School

Heard County Elementary, formerly Mary Johnson School, Pre-K-5, has grown steadily for the past several years in size and course offerings.  Students receive physical education, art, technology, accelerated reader, or music each day.  Students who excel may be chosen to participate in art enrichment, technology fair, or chorus.  Also, the media center is an important part of the school that teachers use as an extension of their classroom.  Accelerated Reader is a part of the media program.

The school participates annually in Book It, Jump Rope for Heart, the American Heart Association, Accelerated Reader, Read to Succeed, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and the Leukemia Society.  The school sponsors Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and 4-H.  The school offers before and after school tutoring as well as an after school program.

Heard Elementary has an active Parent-Teacher Organization, School Council and Student Advisory Committee.  The faculty, staff and administration are committed to providing the best possible education for the students ofHeardCountyElementary School.

Heard County Middle School

Heard County Middle School houses students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.  The campus, completed in 2002, includes a gymnasium, football and softball fields, state of the art track, and a ropes course.  The ropes course gives students and adults the opportunity to function as part of a team, developing physical strength, stamina, dexterity, and confidence.  It is an integral part of the physical education curriculum at the middle school as well as being available to groups from other county schools and the community.

Students are invited to participate in activities and clubs at the middle school, including: BETA, Spelling, Science, Newspaper, Academic Team, Junior Y-Club, FBLA, SGA, Art, Chess, and 4-H.  Students may also participate in middle school Band, Softball, Football, Basketball, Wrestling, Baseball, Track and Cheerleading.

Middle School students use an automated circulation system in the media center, read for comprehension with the Accelerated Reader Program, research projects with recommended book selections, and utilize the Encarta Encyclopedia on CD-ROM and the Galileo database.  Also, Heard Middle is proud of their Wireless Laptop Lab, new Computer Lab, and new Hands-on Science Encore Lab.

HCMS has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the fourth consecutive year, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and is proud to have been recognized as a "Distinguished Title I School" in 2007.

Heard County Comprehensive High School

An accredited high school since 1920, Heard County Comprehensive High School is a community school in which administration, teachers, and staff work together to achieve PRIDE.  School staff, parents, and students all work together to accomplish the schools mission of Producing Responsible Individuals and Develop Excellence.  The only high school in Heard County, HCHS is a community school which demonstrates pride in every activity on campus.  Students are recognized and rewarded for academic, athletic and club-related accomplishments.  Opportunities for excellence in learning include block scheduling, applied curriculum, a Certified Business Industry Program, Cooperative Business Education programming, Advanced Placement, Joint Enrollment, Job Shadowing, and Youth Apprenticeship programs making HCCHS a great place to learn for grades 9-12.

In addition to rigorous studies in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Fine Arts, students may participate in several clubs and extra-curricular activities such as FHA, BETA, FBLA, FCA, VICA, Computer, Art, 4-H, Track, Annual Staff, Drama, Spanish, Y-Club, Wrestling, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Track, Cheerleading, Color Guard and Jazz Band.

The Business Education Department is Industry Certified - and honor that shows excellence.  Local industries and businesses have extended their generosity on many occasions, making HCCHS part of a friendly and progressive community.

Heard Technical Education Center

An affiliate of West Georgia Technical College, this satellite campus opened in Fall, 2002 offering adult technical education opportunities including Adult Literacy/GED Certification programs, computer technology and commercial truck driver certifications.  Future expanded programming will include 2D CAD Design certification programs and certified welding training.  The Tech Center is located in the Franklin Business Park on GA Hwy. 34 East in Franklin