MyBackpack for Atlanta Public Schools: A Practical Guide for Families and Students

If you’re part of Atlanta Public Schools (APS), you’ll hear the term “MyBackpack” a lot. It’s the district’s main online portal where students, parents, and teachers access digital tools, schoolwork, and resources in one place.

This guide explains what MyBackpack is, how to log in, what you can do with it, and how it fits into day-to-day school life in Atlanta—whether you’re new to APS, transferring from another district, or just trying to understand what your child is using.

What Is MyBackpack in Atlanta Public Schools?

MyBackpack is the APS online learning portal. Think of it as a digital backpack where students carry:

• Classwork and homework
• Learning apps and textbooks
• Communication tools from teachers and schools

It is used across most APS schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools in the City of Atlanta—such as schools in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, Southwest Atlanta, East Atlanta, and the Westside.

Who Uses MyBackpack?

• Students: To access assignments, submit work, and use learning apps.
• Parents/Guardians: To help students log in, monitor work, and understand what’s being assigned.
• Teachers: To post class materials, link to resources, and communicate digitally.

How to Access MyBackpack (APS)

Most APS students use MyBackpack every week, and many use it daily, especially in upper grades.

Step-by-Step: Student Login

APS usually provides student login information at school:

1. Go to the APS student portal (commonly reached from the APS website).
2. Select MyBackpack from the portal page.
3. Enter your APS username and password.
4. Click Sign In.

If your child is new to APS or has never logged in before, their homeroom teacher, media specialist, or school front office can provide or reset login details.

If You Forget the Password

If a student forgets their MyBackpack password:

• Contact the school’s front office or media center.
• The school technology coordinator or staff member can reset student logins.
• Older students may be able to reset passwords through APS tools, but younger students usually need school staff assistance.

Parents cannot reset MyBackpack passwords directly; it is done through APS systems.

Where MyBackpack Fits with Other APS Systems

Parents in Atlanta often get confused between MyBackpack, Infinite Campus, and other tools. Here’s how they typically work together:

Key point:
If you’re helping with schoolwork, homework, or online learning, you’ll mainly use MyBackpack.
If you’re checking grades, report cards, or attendance, you’ll usually use Infinite Campus.

What You Can Do in MyBackpack (Atlanta-Focused Overview)

Exact apps and tools in MyBackpack can vary by school level (elementary vs. high school) and by school choice, but most APS students will see a mix of:

1. Access Digital Textbooks and Curriculum

Many APS classes use digital textbooks or e-resources. Through MyBackpack, students may access:

• Reading and language arts platforms
• Math practice and digital textbooks
• Science and social studies resources
• Test preparation tools used across APS

This is especially helpful if your child forgets a physical textbook at a home in Kirkwood, Grant Park, or Cascade, but still needs to study that night.

2. View and Submit Assignments

Teachers in many APS schools use MyBackpack (and the tools inside it) to:

• Post assignments
• Provide links to readings or videos
• Collect student work online
• Give feedback on online submissions

Some classes may connect through a learning platform (often linked inside MyBackpack) where students:

• Upload documents
• Complete quizzes
• Submit essays or projects

💡 Tip: Have your student open MyBackpack each afternoon after school and quickly check for new or upcoming assignments.

3. Use Learning Apps by Grade Level

Depending on whether your child attends an APS elementary, middle, or high school, MyBackpack may include:

• Early elementary tools: Basic reading, phonics, counting, and math practice.
• Upper elementary and middle: More advanced reading, math skill builders, science tools, and writing platforms.
• High school: Content for specific courses (algebra, biology, US history, AP or honors classes) plus college and career tools.

Teachers in APS neighborhoods like Morningside, Old Fourth Ward, or Southwest Atlanta often rely on these apps to reinforce classroom lessons or provide extra practice at home.

4. Communicate and Stay Organized

In some APS classrooms, MyBackpack connects to tools where students can:

• See announcements from teachers
• Access class documents (syllabus, rubrics, project guidelines)
• View upcoming due dates for certain online tasks

This helps students stay on top of work, especially in larger middle and high schools.

Getting MyBackpack Help in Atlanta

If you’re in the Atlanta area and having trouble with MyBackpack, there are several local options.

1. Start with Your Child’s School

Each APS school has staff who regularly support student technology use.

Common local contact points:

• Front office: General questions, where to go for login help.
• Media center / library: Often the first stop for student tech and MyBackpack issues.
• Homeroom or advisory teacher: Can confirm how and when MyBackpack is used.
• School technology coordinator: Manages devices, logins, and access in many APS buildings.

Visit or call your child’s school during office hours. Most APS schools are located within city neighborhoods and are generally reachable by MARTA bus or short drives from central Atlanta areas.

2. Atlanta Public Schools Main Offices

If you’re not sure which school to contact, or your child has just enrolled, you can reach out to the APS main office:

• Atlanta Public Schools District Office
  130 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: Typically listed on district materials and can connect you to departments that support student technology and enrollment.

When you call, you can ask to be directed to:

• Information Technology or student technology support
• Student Services or Enrollment for new families who have not yet received login details

3. Ask at APS Enrollment Centers or Events

If you enrolled your child at an APS enrollment center, back-to-school fair, or neighborhood registration event, staff there can usually explain:

• When MyBackpack access will start
• Which login information your child will receive
• How your child’s specific school uses MyBackpack

MyBackpack for New and Transferring APS Families

If you’ve just moved to Atlanta—from another Georgia district or out of state—you may find APS’s digital setup a bit different.

After You Enroll

Once your child is officially enrolled in an APS school:

1. The school sets up your child’s APS student account.
2. That account gives access to MyBackpack and other APS systems.
3. Login details are typically shared:
   • In a packet during registration
   • By homeroom teacher
   • At open house, orientation, or the first week of school

If your student started mid-year at a school in Downtown, West End, Midtown, or other APS zones, it may take a short time for all systems to update; the school office can confirm status and timing.

If Your Child Came from Another APS School

When a student moves from one APS zone to another (for example, from a school in North Atlanta cluster to one in Jackson cluster), their MyBackpack account often stays the same, but specific apps and class content will update to match the new school and schedule.

Ask the new school to confirm:

• Whether your child’s username and password are the same
• Which apps they should see on MyBackpack for their new classes

Using MyBackpack at Home Around Atlanta

Families across Atlanta use MyBackpack on a variety of devices—laptops in Midtown, tablets in Southwest Atlanta, or shared desktops in apartments and homes throughout the city.

Devices You Can Use

In many cases, MyBackpack can be accessed on:

• School-issued devices (if your APS school provides them)
• Home computers or laptops
• Tablets
• Some tools may be accessible on smartphones, but a larger screen is usually easier for schoolwork.

Check with your child’s teacher if any specific apps inside MyBackpack require a certain type of device.

Internet Access Considerations

For families in Atlanta neighborhoods where home internet may be limited:

• Some APS schools help connect families with information about low-cost internet options.
• Public locations such as Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System branches often provide free Wi-Fi and computers students can use for schoolwork, including MyBackpack, during open hours.

Calling your neighborhood library branch or your child’s school can help you understand what local options are currently available.

How Parents in Atlanta Can Support MyBackpack Use

You don’t have to be a tech expert to help your child with MyBackpack.

Here are practical ways to support from home in any Atlanta neighborhood:

1. Post the Login Info
   Write your student’s MyBackpack username and password on a card near the computer (without including personal information that others could misuse).

2. Create a Routine
   Have your child:

   • Log into MyBackpack after school
   • Check for new assignments
   • Spend a set amount of time on practice apps recommended by the teacher

3. Ask Teachers How They Use It
   Different APS teachers and schools in places like Inman Park, Adamsville, or Peoplestown may use MyBackpack differently. During parent-teacher conferences or school events, ask:

   • “How often should my child be using MyBackpack?”
   • “Which apps or sections matter most for your class?”

4. Monitor Without Micromanaging
   Let your child navigate MyBackpack but stay nearby to help if they:

   • Can’t log in
   • Don’t know where to find an assignment
   • Are unsure which app to use for which subject

Common MyBackpack Issues in APS (and What to Do)

Families around Atlanta often run into similar MyBackpack questions. Here’s how they are usually handled:

“My child can’t log in.”

• Double-check the username and password exactly as given by the school.
• Confirm they are logging in through the APS portal, not a personal or outside account.
• If it still fails, contact the school office or media center for a reset.

“We see MyBackpack but not the right apps.”

• Some tools only appear once the student is assigned to certain classes or grade levels.
• Ask the teacher if all necessary apps have been enabled for your child.
• If multiple siblings use the same device, make sure the right student is logged in.

“Assignments aren’t showing up.”

• Confirm with the teacher whether an assignment is:
  • Posted inside a tool accessible from MyBackpack, or
  • Given on paper or another platform.
• MyBackpack is often one part of a larger classroom system; not all homework may appear there.

When You Might Not Need MyBackpack As Much

Not every APS classroom uses MyBackpack in the same way or to the same extent.

You may find that:

• Younger elementary students in some schools use it mainly for practice apps and occasional assignments.
• Some teachers prefer paper-based systems, especially for early literacy and math.
• Specialty programs or magnet schools in Atlanta may add extra tools or platforms outside of MyBackpack.

If your child isn’t using MyBackpack heavily, it doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong—just ask the teacher how important it is for that particular class or grade.

By understanding how MyBackpack works within Atlanta Public Schools, you can better support your student—whether you’re in Midtown, Southwest Atlanta, Buckhead, or any other neighborhood in the APS district. If you ever feel unsure, your child’s school is the best first stop for clear, Atlanta-specific guidance on using MyBackpack effectively.