Clayton State University and Atlanta Public Schools Launch Atlanta Early College at Clayton State University

(September 18, 2026) - Clayton State University and Atlanta Public Schools (APS) are joining forces to launch Atlanta Early College (AEC) at Clayton State University, a new initiative designed to expand access to higher education and create an accelerated pathway to college completion for APS students.

Through the partnership, eligible APS students will have the opportunity to begin taking Clayton State University courses while still in high school, allowing them to simultaneously work toward their high school diploma and college credentials. The initiative is designed to reduce barriers to college completion while helping students build the academic skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed in higher education and beyond.

“The Atlanta Early College Program creates an intentional and immersive pathway that expands high school and college experiences, by providing coordinated academic support, and empowering students to see themselves as college students. Through this partnership, we are preparing them not only to earn college credit, but also to succeed in higher education and complete a degree. The AEC at Clayton State goes beyond providing access and possibilities, it's designed to produce outcomes that lead toward meaningful careers,” said Dr. Georj L. Lewis, president of Clayton State University.

Atlanta Early College at Clayton State University will serve APS juniors and seniors through two academic pathways. Students selected for the Associate Degree Pathway can work toward an Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Clayton State University while completing their APS high school diploma. Students in the Transitional Pathway can earn up to 45 hours of college credit; however, all students will receive a certificate in Artificial Intelligence by the end of the program.

College courses will be offered through Clayton State University, with instruction available in person on the university’s Morrow campus as well as through online and hybrid formats. Clayton State will also provide facilities and academic and student support to help participating students successfully navigate the college experience.

“Atlanta Early College at Clayton State University gives our students another powerful pathway to turn their potential into opportunity. Students will be challenged academically while receiving the support and exposure necessary to envision themselves not simply attending college, but succeeding and graduating,” said Dr. Bryan Johnson, Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools.

APS will lead student recruitment, application and recommendation process and will provide participating students with dedicated program leadership, counseling, transportation and meal services. APS and Clayton State will also work together to provide advising and other support throughout the program.

To prepare students for the transition to college-level coursework, the partnership also includes a Smart Start Early College component, a two-week, non-residential college-readiness experience. Students will participate in academic readiness activities, personalized coaching, cultural enrichment and student engagement experiences, followed by continued academic support throughout the duration of the program.

The first Atlanta Early College at Clayton State University cohort is expected to begin in August 2027. Recruitment efforts, including information sessions and outreach to students and families, will take place during the 2026–27 academic year.

The partnership advances a shared commitment by Clayton State University and Atlanta Public Schools to expand access to rigorous postsecondary opportunities and create clearer pathways from high school to college, career and long-term upward mobility for generations to come.

About Clayton State University

Founded in 1969, Clayton State University, a member of the University System of Georgia, is a student-centered institution committed to expanding access, advancing social mobility and preparing graduates for meaningful, career-connected success. Through a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, Clayton State provides clear pathways to opportunity for students from all backgrounds.

Located on a 214-acre campus in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State serves as a vital engine for workforce development and community impact in metro Atlanta and beyond. The University is ranked No. 21 among Top Performers on Social Mobility – Regional Universities South by U.S. News & World Report. Clayton State competes in NCAA Division II athletics and is home to Spivey Hall, a premier performance venue in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

About Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students across 87 learning sites, including 59 neighborhood schools, five partner schools, 19 charter schools, two citywide single-gender academies, and two alternative programs.

To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, where there is Excellence Everywhere, follow us on social media –Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at  https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/