The new school year kicks off in early August for Athens area. Here's what families need to know

Vanessa Countryman, Athens Banner-Herald
Updated ·4 min read

August is headed our way and so it's time for kids to stuff their backpacks, pack their lunches, and get ready for the start of the 2024-25 school year in the Athens area.

“We are gearing up to welcome our students, staff, and families back to (the Clarke County School District) for the first day of school on August 1 and we couldn't be more excited," noted Clarke County schools Superintendent Robbie Hooker in an email. "As we head into the second year of our district-wide strategic plan, we continue to work hard to live our mission, realize our vision, and honor our core beliefs in all we do. We know that we will have an amazing year by continuing to focus on our three guiding principles − thriving students, optimized talent, and connected culture."

The public schools in Clarke County begin on Thursday, Aug. 1, and public schools in Oconee County begin classes Wednesday, Aug. 7 for the 2024-25 school year.

"We are excited about the start of the school year because of the special opportunities it always brings," noted Oconee County Superintendent Jason Branch in an email. "Nothing compares to the feeling of the first day of school. Students, staff, parents, and community members all embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. We are extremely proud of our past accomplishments, but we are even more excited about the achievements and celebrations that are on the horizon."

Private schools first days

  • St. Joseph Catholic Parish School starts: Monday, Aug. 5

  • Athens Christian School starts: Friday, Aug. 9

  • Prince Avenue Christian School starts: Monday, Aug. 5

  • Athens Academy starts: Tuesday, Aug. 13

More: St. Joseph Catholic Parish School achieves historic STEM Certification

Other counties

  • Barrow County schools begin Thursday, Aug. 1

  • Madison County Schools begin Friday, Aug. 2

  • Oglethorpe County starts school on Thursday, Aug. 8

  • Jackson County starts school on Thursday, Aug. 1

Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

Clarke County open house schedule

Tuesday, July 30:

  • Whit Davis Elementary: 9-10:30 a.m., 2-5 p.m.

  • Coile Middle: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Barrow Elementary: 1-3 p.m.

  • Gaines Elementary: 2- 4 p.m.

  • Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary: 3-5 p.m.

  • J.J. Harris Elementary: 3-5 p.m.

  • Fowler Drive Elementary: 3:30-7 p.m.

  • Winterville Elementary: 4-6 p.m.

  • Hilsman Middle: 4-6 p.m.

  • Athens Community Career Academy: 9-11 a.m.

  • Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • CCSD Learning Center: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

  • Timothy Road Elementary: 3-5 p.m.

  • Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary: 3-5 p.m.

  • Cleveland Road Elementary: 3-6 p.m.

  • Whitehead Road Elementary: 4-6 p.m.

  • Howard B. Stroud Elementary: 4-6 p.m.

  • Barnett Shoals Elementary: 4-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31:

  • ELC East and ELC West: 1-2:30 p.m.

  • Bettye H. Holston Elementary: 4-6 p.m.

  • Clarke Middle: 2-3:30 p.m.

Cedar Shoals High School open house

  • Freshman Academy Open House: Tuesday, July 30, 9-11 a.m.

  • New student orientation: Tuesday, July 30, 2-4 p.m.

  • Open house (all grade levels): Tuesday, Aug. 13, 6-7:30 p.m.

Clarke Central High School open house

  • Freshman Academy Open House: Monday, July 29, 9-11 a.m.

  • New student orientation: Monday, July 29, 1 p.m.

  • Open House (all grade levels): Tuesday, Aug. 13, 6-7:30 p.m.

Oconee County open house schedule

Monday, August 5- Colham Ferry Elementary, Dove Creek Elementary, High Shoals Elementary, Malcom Bridge Elementary, Oconee County Elementary, Oconee County Primary and Rocky Branch Elementary:

  • Last names A-H: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

  • Last names I-Q: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

  • Last names R-Z: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Monday, August 5- Dove Creek Middle, Malcom Bridge Middle and Oconee County Middle:

  • Last names A-D: 9-10 a.m.

  • Last names E-O: 10-11 a.m.

  • Last names P-Z: 11 a.m. - noon

North Oconee High and Oconee County High

  • Monday, August 5: Noon - 3 p.m.

What school supplies do families in Oconee and Clarke counties need?

While most school supply lists vary by school and grade levels, they can be found on the schools websites directly.

In the meantime, the Athens Banner-Herald looked over several school supplies from Clarke and Oconee counties. Here were some of the most common items:

  • Pencils

  • Full-sized backpack

  • Composition notebooks

  • Notebook paper

  • Folders with prongs/pockets

  • Pencil box/pouch

  • Glue sticks

  • Crayons and/or colored pencils

  • Headphones

For more information, please visit clarke.k12.ga.us or oconeeschools.org.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Back to school: Athens area schools begin 2024-25 August classes