Americus-Sumter County Parks and Recreation Authority Schools/Education Page

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Schools in Americus and Sumter County have a long tradition of sending out graduates who go on to become champions. Hard work, learning and discipline are stressed and students are challenged to aspire to be the very best and prepare for their lives ahead. The challenge continues.....

What makes schools in Sumter County stand out? Five of them are Georgia Schools of Excellence, and one is a National School of Excellence! The county is home to the largest single-site Pre-Kindergarten program in Georgia, and Sumter is the only system in Georgia with Career Academy in two high schools. Sumter is also the former home of the 1997 Georgia Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Katie Brochu. The school system also has an outstanding and growing volunteer base - Partners in Education and Mentor Programs.

The trail starts with kindergarten, where youngsters learn in new facilities in a curriculum that also involves technology. Some of the students come away thinking that it's so much fun that they forget they are actually in a classroom! Elementary school students can study music, art, the environment, and computers. In middle school, aerodynamics, robotics, and Computer Aided Design can be taken, as well as producing videos. There are also a number of career and apprenticeship programs where the students can get hands-on experience while still in school. Academics are strongly focused in each of the schools, and there are countless programs available for gifted, along with advanced placement courses.

The school system is also lucky to have the contributions of countless volunteers who serve in schools, the library, and various other programs. A-SUCCESS stands for Americus-Sumter's United Community Concern for Each Student's Success, was spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce. It holds an awards program to recognize outstanding high school students. The school system also has a number of after-school instructional avenues available in areas such as recreation, karaate, art, swimming, and community services.

In Sumter County, excellence builds tradition, but they are not content to just continuously look back on past achievements. Their goal is to move forward and onward, for students to continue climbing the ladder, spreading their wings, and soaring toward even more and new success! The new theme for Sumter County Schools has become "Good Roads Lead To Greatness In Sumter County Schools."

The following is a brief, chronological history of the schools in the area:

1873 - Board of Education was established to provide free education




1876 - White female school opened with 120 pupiles. White male school opened with 75 pupils.




1880 - White children in grades one to ten attended Jackson Street School. Black children began their education in churches in the city.




1884 - Black children in grades one through seven attended McCay Hill School.




1897 - Americus Institute created for higher education for black children. It closed in 1932.




Furlow Grammar School, Jackson Street School, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Heights, East Americus School built during the latter part of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.




1936 - A.S. Staley High School built for higher education to the black population.




1938 - Americus High School built for white population - it was destroyed in 1964.




1956 - McCay Hill Grammar School renamed Eastview Center. School was phased out in 1991 and became the home of Crossroads Academy.




1957 - Rees Park School converted to elementary to help with overcrowding.




1963 - Cherokee Elementary School built.




1964 - Racial integration at Americus High began.




1966 - A.S. Staley High School becomes a junior high school




1971 - Furlow Grammar School closes.




1973 - Rees Park School closes.




1994 - City and county merged the two systems, which continues to this day.




2004 - Americus High and Sumter County High merge to become Americus-Sumter High School.

Listed below are the institutions of learning in Americus/Sumter County. If you would like more information on any of them, write or call! Please also feel free to visit the Sumter County Schools website at www.sumter.k12.ga.us. If you'd like information on South Georgia Technical College, visit their website at www.sgatech.org.   For more information on Georgia Southwestern State University, you may visit their website at www.gsw.edu.  For more information on Southland Academy, visit their website at www.southlandacademy.org.