Habersham schools report strong start to new school year

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County Schools got off to a strong start last week, with district leaders highlighting student attendance, community partnerships, extracurricular activities and programs designed to help students succeed during the first days of the 2026-27 school year.

Superintendent Patrick Franklin told the Board of Education Monday that the district’s schools were off to a “great start” after students returned to classrooms Friday.

As of Monday morning, the district had about 508 kindergarten students enrolled and approximately 503 seniors across its high schools, putting the two groups nearly even in enrollment.

The district also welcomed 60 new teachers this school year.

Franklin said he visited all 14 Habersham County schools Friday and continued visiting classrooms Monday to meet with new teachers.

“I can tell the amount of positive energy was contagious as we go through,” Franklin said.

Among the new programs highlighted by Franklin was the Raider Food Mart at Habersham Central High School, a food pantry created through a partnership involving the district’s Family Connections group and the Northeast Georgia Food Bank.

Franklin thanked the community partners involved in establishing the pantry and said he expects the program to grow across the school system.
“You don’t do these things by yourselves, right?” Franklin said. “It’s a community effort.”

Meals, supplies help families

Franklin also credited the district’s Habersham Ready program, which is providing school supplies to students for the second consecutive year.

The program is designed to reduce the cost burden on families by making supplies available at schools for students when they return to class.

The district also continues to provide free breakfast and lunch through the federal Community Eligibility Provision.

Franklin emphasized that the meal program is funded through federal dollars and does not result in a local tax increase.

The district served 9,098 meals to students Friday, the first day of school.

“I’m very proud that we were able to do that for our kids,” Franklin said.

Franklin also praised the transportation department, which has more than 100 buses operating each day and moving thousands of students throughout the county.

He said traffic has been heavy during the first days of school but should begin to ease as families settle into their routines.

Franklin urged motorists to use extra caution around schools and bus stops, particularly during periods of morning fog.

Finding a place to belong

Assistant Superintendent David Leenman said secondary schools have also started the year with strong energy, with athletics, band and other extracurricular activities already underway.

Leenman said the district’s goal is to make sure every student finds a place where they feel connected to their school.

“We want every student to find an acre on our campus,” Leenman said.

He said that connection is important not only for students’ social development but also for academic success and graduation.

Habersham County students have numerous opportunities to become involved, including athletics, FFA, band, drama, choral programs, Key Club, Interact, the HUB of Habersham, Beta Club, Student Council, JROTC, FBLA and SkillsUSA.

Leenman said extracurricular involvement can help students develop teamwork, service, accountability and resilience while building relationships with peers and adults.

“When we connect students to a passion, we do more than just improve test scores and graduation statistics,” Leenman said.

He said the relationships students build through school activities can help them remain engaged and ultimately reach graduation.

Community members invited into classrooms

Dr. Susan Davis, director of elementary schools, said the district’s eight elementary schools also had a strong first two days.

Davis said she visited every elementary school and saw excitement among students and staff.

One new community partnership will bring members of the local Rotary club into elementary classrooms as guest readers.

Davis said the program is designed to reinforce the importance of literacy by allowing students to see community members volunteering their time to read with them.

“We love the opportunity for students to see that reading is so valuable that members of our community are willing to give of their time to come and share a book in person,” Davis said.

She encouraged other businesses and parents interested in volunteering to contact their school principal or the district.

Davis also highlighted plans for new playgrounds at elementary schools, calling the project a major undertaking.

While the district continues to use technology as an instructional tool, Davis said elementary schools will continue emphasizing hands-on learning and physical activity.

“We use that with intentionality,” Davis said of educational technology. “It’s a valuable tool in a teacher’s hands. But it is a small portion of our day.”

The district’s focus on attendance also remains a priority.

Franklin praised principals for their work emphasizing attendance, calling it one of the district’s core values.

As the new school year gets underway, district leaders said the emphasis will remain on connecting students with their schools, providing support to families and giving students opportunities to find activities and relationships that keep them engaged.

“There’s nowhere else I would rather raise my family, have my students in Habersham County Schools,” Leenman said. “I’m just so grateful for another year when we are ready to start.”