Safe & Secure: How Atlanta Area Schools Are Protecting Students This Year

It is a sad truth that today’s parents have to be concerned about their children’s safety at school. While violent incidents on campuses are not new, between 1999 and 2024, the rate of student exposure to school shootings nearly tripled. Just last year, Apalachee High School in North Georgia was the scene of a fatal school shooting, and many metro area schools observed lockdowns because of threats to safety on campus.

Atlanta Parent spoke to some local schools and districts about what families can expect this year about safety at school.

Table of Contents

New for 2025-2026

Schools are constantly updating their security protocols and working with local authorities to ensure they are following best practices and are aware of any potential concerns. Often, this information is not shared publicly in order to protect these crucial efforts. That being said, there are a few new county-wide initiatives for this school year.

In Fulton County Schools (FCS), Canine Detection Units will be deployed across the district. “Trained Labrador retrievers named Ernie, Ducky and Delilah are ready for school,” says a district spokesperson. “These K-9 teams specialize in ‘vapor wake’ firearms detection and serve as a proactive security measure.”

Evolv

A new weapons detection system called Evolv will be present at Gwinnett County middle and high schools during the 2025-26 school year. “This system, which was successfully piloted during the 2024-25 school year, uses low-frequency electromagnetic fields and AI-powered software to detect concealed weapons such as firearms, knives and explosives,” says Bernard Watson, director of community and media relations. “Unlike traditional metal detectors, the Evolv system can distinguish between weapons and non-threatening metal objects, reducing the need for secondary screenings and ensuring a smooth, non-intrusive entry process.”

Stop the Bleed

The Georgia Trauma Commission has distributed more than 52,374 Stop the Bleed kits to public schools and 92% of school buses. These kits are equipped with items that can control bleeding until first responders arrive. Georgia is the first state to do this. The initiative can play a pivotal role in saving lives in the case of a violent event such as a school shooting.

Private schools also follow similar protocols. “We work closely with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security,” says Jeff Yarbrough, director of security at Woodward Academy. “Through these partnerships, we have access to a full range of government safety initiatives, including those from the Georgia Trauma Commission and the Stop the Bleed program. In addition, many of our safety and security personnel have participated in off-campus training sponsored by the GEMA and Homeland Security and have led on-campus initiatives — such as Stop the Bleed — for our faculty and staff.”

In Fulton and Gwinnett counties, training is also key. Fulton’s District Health Services Department incorporates Stop the Bleed training into monthly CPR/AED classes. “At Gwinnett County Public Schools (GPCS), staff are trained annually on location, and all bus drivers are equipped with kits and trained to use them in emergencies,” says Watson.

Officers On Site

When dropping your child off at school, it is common to see an officer out front. If you pick your child up for a doctor’s appointment, chances are you will see that officer patrolling the hallways. Many metro-area school systems and private schools have their own dedicated officers.

“GCPS currently employs 117 SROs, with two stationed at each high school, one at each middle school, and several at elementary schools,” says Watson. A School Resource Officer, or SRO, is a sworn law enforcement officer who works within a school to ensure safety and build positive relationships with students. “Additionally, GCPS plans to hire security guards to support the school police department while efforts continue to recruit and hire more SROs.”

Fulton County Schools has their own Georgia POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training Council)-recognized police agency with police officers assigned to high schools and middle schools each day. According to their spokesperson, non-school based police officers work in a patrol capacity to support elementary schools in the district. FCS also relies on civilian security personnel that work in a support capacity, monitoring school entrances, parking lots, hallways and video surveillance systems.

“We employ a highly trained campus security team composed of nine former police officers, all POST-certified and fully armed with handguns and Tasers to respond in a crisis,” says Yarbrough, who oversees the on-site team at Woodward. “Our officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

While having officers on campus cannot prevent every safety issue, their presence can deter a potential attacker from committing an act and minimize loss in the case of a violent event.

Cell Phones

The State of Georgia’s Distraction-Free Education Act (House Bill 340) goes into effect in July of 2026. It is designed to regulate the use of personal electronic devices for K-8th grade students in Georgia public schools. According to the bill, personal devices include smartphones, tablets and smartwatches, which will be banned during “bell-to-bell” instructional time, with some exceptions (including learning needs or emergency communications).

For this school year, GCPS does not currently have a district-wide policy that explicitly bans cell phones. “Individual schools can implement such restrictions based on their specific needs,” says Watson. “All GCPS schools actively monitor and address inappropriate usage to maintain a focused and respectful learning environment.”

The goal of the bill is to lessen distractions caused by personal electronic devices. FCS has decided to adopt the changes for the coming school year with students in kindergarten through 8th grade prohibited from using devices during the school day and high school students being prohibited from use during instructional time.

Many parents are concerned about the lack of communication with their children in case of an emergency or lockdown. “Schools will notify families through official communication channels such as phone, text or email,” says an FCS spokesperson. “During emergencies, it is critical for students to focus on the directions of teachers and staff. Research shows that phone use during crises can create more safety risks by spreading misinformation or interrupting emergency responses.”

Additionally, the district recommends families communicate before or after school regarding pick-up plans and schedules as receiving messages during the day can be stressful and take away from learning.

Private schools can choose whether or not to follow the State’s new bill. Some private schools already have guidelines in place that mirror the bill’s recommendations. “Our cell phone policy is designed primarily to support the school day and maximize student learning, rather than for safety and security purposes,” says Yarbrough. “During the school day, cell phones are not allowed. However, because our students travel from across metro Atlanta to get to and from campus, we do allow them to have their phones for transportation needs outside of school hours.”

Talk About It!

Before school starts and throughout the school year, be open with your child about safety. This will help him feel supported at home and give you a sense of confidence that he knows what to do should a concerning situation arise.

“While much of the work happens behind the scenes on our campus, the most effective safety culture is built through partnership and trust,” says Luke Underwood, director of campus safety at Woodward Academy. “We encourage families to move beyond one-time conversations and instead create an ongoing dialogue with their children.”

When it comes to school-specific safety awareness, he recommends the following:

Help your child recognize when a situation crosses the line from discomfort to potential danger — and ensure they know how to report it. Whether it’s a troubling comment, suspicious behavior or an unsettling social media post, students must feel confident telling a trusted adult without fear of overreacting.
Create an environment where your child feels safe coming to you about anything — social concerns, peer conflict, emotional wellbeing or safety worries. Often, students are the first to notice when something feels off, and early conversations can make all the difference.
Encourage your child to save important safety contacts in their phone. While phones are not permitted during the academic day, having access to these numbers while commuting or attending after-school events ensures they’re prepared when it matters.
Discuss online behavior as part of overall safety. Reinforce that what’s shared digitally can have real-world consequences, and that reporting harmful or threatening content is not just responsible — it’s necessary.
Remind your child that safety is a shared responsibility. Taking action, even on something small, can protect someone else. Reporting is not tattling; it’s a vital part of a caring community.

Across the board, schools want students, teachers and parents to abide by the mantra, “If You See Something, Say Something.”

Know What to Expect: Safety Drills 101

Most parents remember fire and inclement weather drills. Students today practice other drills that can cause anxiety or lead them to ask questions. Help them be prepared for these drills by explaining what they will do and why in an age-appropriate way.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common drills:

Soft Lockdown Drill: This occurs in response to a potential threat outside the building, such as a suspicious person or police activity. The doors to school (and sometimes classrooms) will be locked, but activities inside the building can take place.
Hard Lockdown Drill: This is the most serious drill and is designed to prepare students on what to do in case of a threat inside the school. All hallways are cleared, and classroom doors are locked. Lights are also turned off, and there is complete silence in the room.
Shelter-in-Place Drill: The purpose for this drill is to protect students in the event of a nearby hazard or medical emergency on campus. Students remain indoors and typically classroom activities can occur as normal.
Fire/Evacuation Drill: Students learn where to go in case of fire or other physical need to leave the building (such as a bomb threat). Typically, an alarm will sound to let students know to head outside to their designated spot.
Severe Weather Drill: To prevent potential injury from flying debris or broken glass, students move to a safe, interior location away and assume protective positions. Usually, this involves sitting on the knees in a hallway, facing the wall, with a book or hands covering the head.

-Tali Benjamin