Meeting the Challenge
Perennially cited as two of the top school systems in the state, the Cobb County and Marietta City school systems provide students with outstanding academic, cultural, athletic and recreational opportunities.

Together the two fully accredited school systems’ student population of 113,000 grows by approximately 2,500 each year.  The systems boast 35 Georgia Schools of Excellence and 16 National Schools of Excellence. Fifty-two percent of Cobb and Marietta City’s faculty have advanced degrees, and teachers have an average of 12 years experience.

Elementary schools provide a solid, well balanced curriculum for students who then advance to middle schools where they receive more focused instruction in language arts, science, mathematics, vocabulary, health and foreign language.  High schools provide a broad-based, college prep curriculum in academics, as well as technical and vocational education, and a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities.  Post secondary education is pursued by 76 percent of Cobb and Marietta City’s high school graduates.

Cobb County schools provide five magnet school programs, including the arts and science and technology, while the Marietta system’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program has received national acclaim.  English as a Second Language (ESL) students receive intensive instruction in English.  Special education is available for all eligible students.

For those interested in a private school education, Cobb County offers numerous quality options from pre-kindergarten through high school. 

Over the next five years, more than $700 million will be invested back into the school systems through the continuation of a one percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for education approved in 2003.

Higher Education Opportunities

Cobb has two public, four-year universities:  Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University.  Both are part of the 13-school University System of Georgia.  Cobb also has two public technical colleges: Chattahoochee Technical College and North Metro Technical College. The Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education administers both colleges.

Kennesaw State offers undergraduate as well as master’s degree programs in more than 30 fields. The university also offers an Executive MBA program, continuing education courses and is home to the Small Business Development Center and the A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service.

Southern Polytechnic State University has been recognized nationally as a leading engineering specialty university, with associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs focused on engineering technology and related sciences.

Georgia Highlands College is currently on six sites, the Marietta site is housed on the campus of Southern Polytechnic State University.  The college is committed to providing quality instruction and personal service to help students fulfill their personal and career goals.

Chattahoochee Technical College and North Metro Technical College offer diploma and associate programs in a variety of occupational and technical fields. They also serve as employee training providers through Georgia’s “Quick Start” program for new and expanding industries.

Two private institutions also serve Cobb.  Life University School of Chiropractic offers doctorate, master’s and undergraduate programs in the field of chiropractic. Shorter College’s Professional Studies Program offers degrees for professionals over the age 21 with two years of full-time work experience. Undergraduate degrees include Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Management, Human Services and Ministry Studies. Graduate level degrees include a Master in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Leadership.

Kennesaw State University
Enrollment: 20,607
Degrees: Nursing, four-year; postgraduate in Business and Education, Continuing Education
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Georgia Highlands College
Enrollment: 650
Degrees: Associate along with Cooperative Degrees with North Metro Tech and Coosa Valley Tech
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Life University
Enrollment: 1,909
Degrees: Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters, Doctor of Chiropractic and Continuing Education
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Southern Polytechnic State University
Enrollment: 4,466
Degrees: Two-year, four-year, postgraduate and 5 year Architecture, Continuing Education
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TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Chattahoochee Technical College
Enrollment: 5,931
Degrees: Associates and diplomas in all programs
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North Metro Technical College
Enrollment: 2,210
Degrees: Associates and diplomas in all programs
Click here for more information about North Metro Technical College