Latest news with #AthensCitySchools
Yahoo
a day ago
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Hartselle, Athens ranked in top school districts in Alabama
Jun. 4—Hartselle City Schools and Athens City Schools were both ranked in the top 25 best school districts in Alabama by recently. Hartselle received the No. 10 spot out of 141 school districts. Athens was ranked No. 18. "I would say greatness breeds greatness," said Hartselle City Schools Superintendent Brian Clayton. "It's kind of hard to get away from it. Once you set a certain standard, that's what people do. It's the expectation." HCS has consistently been in the top 10 school districts in the state for multiple years, according to Niche. The website releases school rankings each year. Factors considered for the rankings include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates and teacher quality. A higher weight is placed on the academics. Teachers, culture and diversity, and self-reported surveys are considered at a lower weight. Then resources and facilities, extracurricular opportunities and sports are weighed even lower. Rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education and parent-student surveys. Hartselle was also ranked the 14th best high school in the state by U.S. News & World Report in 2024. The school district received an overall grade of an A from Niche. Its ratings for sports, extracurricular activities, resources and administration were particularly high. Its lowest performance was in the diversity area. Clayton attributed the high rating largely to great teachers, who work to develop themselves. He said the community has also come to know HCS for having high standards for staff and students. "The worst thing you can do to a kid is have low expectations of them because I always say a kid will rise to whatever the expectation is, or they will fall to whatever the expectation is," Clayton said. One specific area where HCS has focused its growth efforts over the last school year was adhering to the Alabama Numeracy Act, which sought to improve elementary-level math proficiency. The school district brought in math coaches to help improve students' mathematical understanding. Clayton anticipates Holly Sutherland, the new superintendent, who will have taken over the role completely by the end of the month, will continue to aspire to meet the community's expectations of the school. Athens City Schools also received an overall grade of an A. The areas it performed the best in were extracurricular offerings, diversity and college prep. Its lowest performance was in the teachers area. ACS has been on the rise from previous years. A ranking released by Niche in 2023 has it listed as No. 25. "This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, high-quality teaching, college and career readiness, and community," said Athens City Schools Superintendent Beth Patton. "We take great pride in being a progressive system that empowers our students for future success." Patton said that the school system feels honored by its ranking from Niche. — or 256-340-2437
Yahoo
28-05-2025
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Athens City Schools to offer free meals for children this summer
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — Athens City Schools will be offering free meals to children this summer. According to the district, the 2025 Summer Meal Program, is available for children 18-years-old and younger in Athens and Limestone County. The program is set to take place at SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary which is located at 1701 West Hobbs St, Athens, Alabama. Huntsville City Schools to offer free meals to children during summer learning activities Children will be able to take advantage of the program from June 2 until June 18. Meals during this timeframe will only be offered Mondays through Thursdays. Breakfast will be served from 8:15 a.m. until 8:45 a.m., with lunch being served from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Meals will be dine-in only, pick-up, or take-out options will not be available. If you have any questions, please call (256) 233-6600. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
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Athens City School adjust school bus transportation schedule for Thursday, May 22
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — Athens City Schools has adjusted their school bus transportation schedule for Thursday, May 22. According to the school district, school busses will not run on Lucas Ferry Road which is south of Highway 72. Busses will also not run on West Sanderfer Road which is between Jefferson Street and Lucas Ferry Road. The school district said that this is due to storm debris and ongoing road closures that were set in place due to Tuesday nights storms. Families on affected routes will need to make alternate transportation arrangements for both morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up on Thursday. Buses affected include Bus 106 (AES, CES), Bus 104 (BES), Bus 115 (AIS), Bus 108 (AMS) and Bus 109 (AMS). For more information, contact Athens City Schools at (256)-233-6600. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
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Athens teacher finalist for state teacher of year
Apr. 30—Athens High School teacher Amanda Gudmundsson, one of four finalists for Alabama teacher of the year, changed career paths because of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on New York. Because she lived right outside New York City at the time, she witnessed everything firsthand, she said. Even though she is a fifth-generation educator, her path to the classroom was unexpected. Initially, she pursued a degree in higher education administration, but her career shifted following the events of Sept. 11. She decided to become a teacher after seeing the unity and the outpouring of selflessness the attack inspired. Through teaching, she found a way to contribute to democracy and uphold the values of equality and civic responsibility, she said. She believes that with the right support, all students can succeed and make meaningful and impactful contributions to society. Now the Athens High School teacher has been named one of the top four finalists for the 2025 — 26 Alabama Teacher of the Year award. Finalists for state teacher of the year include: —Gudmundsson, Athens City Schools, secondary teacher of the year. —Aubrey Bennett Birmingham City Schools, George Washington Carver High School, secondary teacher of the year. —Katie Collins, Hoover City Schools, Bluff Park Elementary School, elementary teacher of the year. —Katherine Thomas, Homewood City Schools, Edgewood Elementary School, elementary teacher of the year. Gudmundsson, who teaches government, economics and history, was first selected by her peers as Athens High School's teacher of the year in September 2024. She was then honored as the Athens City Schools teacher of the year in November 2024. She became a state finalist after being selected from more than 150 educators across Alabama. Gudmundsson also teaches dual-enrollment U.S. history courses at Calhoun Community College, as well as honors economics and American government. In addition to her recent accolades, Gudmundsson was also named the 2025-26 high school teacher of the year by the Alabama Veterans of Foreign Wars for her efforts in promoting citizenship education and patriotism in the classroom. She said caring for the students is the critical quality in being a good teacher. "I think you have to have compassion and empathy and treat your student the way you would treat your own children," she said. "If you go with that you will come out with great results. It's more than a subject matter; I try to build them up." Because the name Gudmundsson is so long, her students have dubbed her "Mrs. G" instead. She was astonished upon being selected as a finalist for teacher of the year. "I was completely shocked but honored," she said. "It is great to be acknowledged by students, colleagues and administrators." She said she has been humbled by the selection. "I never thought I'd get this far along in the process," she said. "I just care about students but I'm not doing anything anyone else isn't doing." Still, she is honored to represent her colleagues, which is how she looks at it since she was nominated by them. She thanked her superintendent, Beth Patton, whom she says has been a classroom teacher herself and understands, and Willie Moore, her principal. "They have been behind me all the way, my colleagues, too," she said. Patton said Mrs. G's students and colleagues are rooting for her. "This recognition not only reflects her commitment to excellence in the classroom but also the passion, innovation and heart she brings to our entire school community," Patton said. "We are honored to have such an inspiring educator among us." On Friday, Gudmundsson will attend her final interview, and a winner will be chosen during a May 7 banquet in Montgomery, she said. — or 256-340-2361
Yahoo
23-04-2025
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Athens High School teacher named final four for Alabama Teacher of the Year
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — The list of 16 finalists was narrowed down to four Wednesday for the Alabama Teacher of the Year. Among the four finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year, Athens High School's Amanda Gudmundsson is listed. 'This honor reflects not just my journey, but the strength of the incredible people around me. Great teaching is never done alone—it's the product of shared passion, relentless support, and a community committed to lifting each other higher every day,' said Gudmundsson. According to the State of Alabama Department of Education news release, Gudmundsson is a 'dedicated educator' at Athens High School. In addition to her high school duties as a government, history and economics teacher, she teaches dual enrollment U.S. History courses at Calhoun Community College. Athens City Schools said she was selected by her peers as the Athens High School Teacher of the Year in September 2024 and honored as the district's Secondary Teacher of the Year in November 2024. She now stands as one of the 'top educators in the entire state,' according to the district. 'Her accomplishments don't stop there—she was also recently named the 2025–2026 Alabama VFW High School Teacher of the Year for her outstanding work promoting citizenship and patriotism in the classroom,' Athens City Schools said. She has more than 20 years in education, with 17 of those in Athens. 'Mrs. G. represents the heart, passion, and excellence that define Athens City Schools. She believes that teaching goes beyond the subject matter; it involves building meaningful relationships and changing lives,' ACS said. As a fifth-generation educator, her path to the classroom was unexpected. Initially, she pursued a degree in higher education administration, but her career shifted following the tragic events of 9/11. She witnessed everything first-hand because at that time she was living right outside of New York City. Experiencing the outpouring of selflessness and unity in the aftermath of the attacks, she was inspired to become a teacher. Through teaching, Amanda found a way to contribute to democracy and uphold the values of equality and civic responsibility. In her classroom, she encourages her students to embrace each other's differences, foster academic curiosity, and actively engage in shaping a better future for themselves and their families. State of Alabama Department of Education The other finalists for the award are Katie Collins – Hoover City School System, Dr. Katherine Thomas – Homewood City School System and Aubrey Bennett – Birmingham City School System. The next step for the four finalists is an extensive interview with the state judging committee. The 2025-2026 Alabama Teacher of the Year award will be announced on May 7 during a special event at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. For more information about the Alabama Teacher of the Year program, you can visit the Alabama State Department of Education's website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
