If you live in Atlanta’s south side and you’ve heard people talk about the “new schools at Carver”, they’re almost always referring to the modernized campus of The New Schools at Carver, a group of small, themed high schools that share one site just south of downtown.
This guide walks through what Carver is, how the “new schools” are organized, what to expect as a student or parent, and how it fits into the broader Atlanta Public Schools (APS) landscape.
The New Schools at Carver are located in southeast Atlanta, close to the BeltLine Southside Trail and the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, High Point, and Lakewood.
Campus location:
This campus is part of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and serves high school students in nearby attendance zones, as well as some students who attend through choice or specialized programs.
Carver is not just one traditional high school. It’s a campus with multiple small schools, sometimes called “academies” or “pathway schools.”
While the exact names and focus areas can evolve over time, Carver typically includes separate, themed schools such as:
The concept is to give students a smaller-school environment with a specific focus, while still being on a shared campus with common resources like:
Because names and academies can shift with APS redesigns, it’s smart to call the main office or check current APS materials to confirm which “new schools” are currently operating at Carver and what each one is called.
Carver has long been an important high school campus for south Atlanta neighborhoods. Over the past couple of decades, APS has focused on:
The “New Schools at Carver” model grew out of that effort. In general, the goals for these new schools include:
Smaller learning communities
Students are grouped into academies where staff can know them more personally.
Career-focused pathways
Each school emphasizes a set of careers or fields, like arts, STEM, or health sciences.
More tailored support
College counseling, internships, and dual enrollment can be more connected to each academy’s theme.
For families in Atlanta, this means if your student is zoned for Carver, you may have multiple program options on one campus instead of just a single general high school track.
Though details change over time, here’s how the campus typically works in Atlanta:
Each academy functions as its own school-within-a-school:
However, students often share:
Most Carver academies serve:
Some students may enter a specific academy as freshmen; others may join a themed academy after a 9th-grade “transition” year, depending on how APS has structured the program that year.
Names and focus areas can change, but Carver’s “new schools” typically fall into a few broad themes:
A Carver arts-focused school might highlight:
This can appeal to students interested in creative careers or who want a more arts-rich high school experience within APS.
A STEM-focused academy at Carver might offer:
These pathways are aimed at students who may pursue engineering, coding, or technical careers after graduation.
A career-focused academy may include:
These schools often connect students with certifications, work-based learning, or internships around Atlanta.
Some Carver academies emphasize:
The idea is to prepare students for two- or four-year college while still in high school.
Below is a simple summary of what families in Atlanta can typically expect from the Carver campus structure.
| Feature | What It Usually Means at Carver (Atlanta) |
|---|---|
| Multiple academies | Several small schools on one campus, each with a themed focus |
| Shared campus | Common facilities like cafeteria, fields, auditorium, bus transportation |
| Themed programs | Arts, STEM, health, early college, or similar specialized tracks |
| Grade levels | Primarily 9–12 |
| Smaller communities | Students grouped by interest to allow closer relationships with staff |
| College & career focus | Pathways, dual enrollment, and counseling aligned to post-high school plans |
Because APS sometimes restructures academies, it’s best to verify current offerings directly with the school or district.
Carver primarily serves families in southeast Atlanta, including parts of:
If you’re unsure whether your child is zoned for Carver:
You can contact Atlanta Public Schools:
APS District Office
130 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line: (404) 802-3500
Ask for Student Assignment/Enrollment and provide your Atlanta address to confirm your zoned high school.
Some students may also attend a Carver academy through school choice, lottery, or transfer processes, depending on APS policies for that year.
If you are considering The New Schools at Carver for your student in Atlanta, here are practical steps:
✅ Step 1: Call APS at (404) 802-3500 or visit an APS enrollment center to see:
Once you know Carver is an option, reach out to the campus:
You can also ask when they host:
These events are especially helpful if you live in neighborhoods like Pittsburgh or Lakewood and want to compare Carver to other nearby APS high schools.
For many Atlanta families, logistics are critical:
While experiences vary by academy, a typical Carver student in Atlanta can expect:
Because Carver is in urban Atlanta, students also benefit from proximity to city resources, such as:
If you live in Atlanta, the New Schools at Carver are one part of a wider APS high school network that includes:
When you evaluate Carver, consider:
For many south Atlanta families, the Carver campus is attractive because it offers multiple themed options without having to leave the neighborhood.
Here are simple, Atlanta-specific steps to move forward:
Visit the campus in person.
Walking the Carver grounds and seeing classrooms gives a clearer sense of each academy’s culture.
Talk to current families and students if possible.
Many parents in neighborhoods like Pittsburgh and Lakewood Heights share information through neighborhood associations and community groups.
Ask detailed questions about support services:
Check how the school communicates.
Find out whether they use robocalls, emails, apps, or printed newsletters so you can stay informed about APS calendar changes, testing dates, and events.
Keep an eye on APS updates.
APS sometimes restructures or renames academies at major campuses like Carver. Review district materials each year to confirm which “new schools” are operating and what they offer.
If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and trying to understand what “New Schools at Carver” means, think of it as a modernized, multi-school high school campus designed to give south-side students strong college and career pathways without leaving their community. For the most accurate, up-to-date details, your best next step is to call APS or the Carver campus office and ask about the current academies, enrollment options, and programs.
