The Underground District: The side of Fulton you don’t see

On November 29, 2016, Fulton County Schools gave their annual State of our Schools address. And just like any other year it appears as if Fulton County Schools is one of the best districts in the state. And who can really argue that it isn’t? FCS has 8 High Schools ranked #27 and higher in Georgia, according to US News. 11 High Schools in Fulton can boast a 6 or higher on Greatschools. A majority of Fulton Schools are better than a majority of schools in the entire state. 11 out of 17 high schools seem great on paper, but in reality it doesn’t benefit everyone equally. All of the aforementioned statistics only belong to half of a district, the half you see gaining accolades for FCS year in and year out. The only half you’ll see when searching “Fulton County Schools” on Google. The hidden half, a district within a district, isn’t mentioned on the FCS website, isn’t featured on local or national news, and is largely hidden under the academic weight of Milton, John’s Creek, and Alpharetta. This district, separated from the north by Atlanta, is South Fulton. And I, an honors student at the 17th ranked school in Fulton County, can tell you that the 96,000 students of Fulton County are not all represented equally.
All of the aforementioned statistics only belong to half of a district
Let’s start with a little story. We’ll go back 30 years in time, to a place called College Park. It was a rare middle class Black community with good performing schools. The gems of this community were Feldwood High and Collins High which merged in 1988 to form Banneker High School. As students graduated, they moved to more successful communities. The wealthy and middle class of College Park had moved on, while less wealthy people moved to College Park. You’d think this wouldn’t be so bad. Even though these new children have less resources, the school isn’t any different. The Teachers and Staff were still just as caring, right? I’m can’t tell you exactly what happened, but the school alumnis tell me about is certainly not the school I encountered when I moved to South Fulton in 2015.
Banneker High is now the worst High School in Fulton. I could use statistics like the deplorable 51% graduation rate, or the low 16% AP Participation, or the 13% Math Proficiency, to prove my point, but I’d rather use personal experience.
The day I walked in Banneker, the school was severely understaffed, the staff was dysfunctional, and the school had it’s 4th new principle in four years. Nothing got done.
Schedules wasn’t fixed until a month in school, seniors’ recommendation letters wouldn’t be completed, and councilors could hardly be reached. I’m not even mentioning the absolute lack of a learning environment as students are allowed to do whatever with little consequence.
Not to discredit North Fulton students, but the students at Banneker succeed despite of, not because of.
The angriest part about all of this though are the good students. These students are the absolutely most hard working I’ve ever seen at any school in my life. Not to discredit North Fulton students, but the students at Banneker succeed despite of, not because of. The teachers at Banneker care about their students. The only thing missing are the black suits at Fulton County Schools. They send their top employees in to scout the building and try to find out why the majority are failing, but what they don’t look at is, why are the students that are passing so successful? We come from the same background, we face the same challenges, but a few of us have role models that push us forward. Whether it be a teacher or a fellow student, we all strive to be recognized. That’s what’s missing. It’s culture. You can’t make parent’s do the work for the students, you have to motivate the students to do it themselves. You have to create an environment of excellence that other students can look up to. I can guarantee you that the honors students of Banneker get no recognition. None of us in South Fulton do. We’re the hidden among the hidden. But we are the key to success in South Fulton. Until Fulton County Schools recognizes this, it will only be as effective as it’s worst performing school, no matter how many in North Fulton succeed.
