Gwinnett County Public Schools Updates Plan for Fall 2020
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is making plans for a safe return to the important work of teaching and learning for students and employees in school year 2020-21. On July 20, the school district announced it would return to school on August 12 with all students receiving digital instruction. On August 4, GCPS CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks shared plans for transitioning to a blend of in-person and digital learning for students, based on their parents’ choices. GCPS plans to begin small, bringing in a limited number of grade levels at first, then adding more grades on a staggered basis. Mr. Wilbanks’ letter to stakeholders shared that the schedule found below is a best-case scenario, and student and staff safety will be the paramount factor in determining the pace at which the district will move.
Framework for Implementing Parents’ Choice of In-Person Instruction for their Students
Starting Date |
Elementary School Grades |
Middle School Grades |
High School Grades |
Special Education |
August 12 |
All grades digital |
All grades digital |
All grades digital |
All classes digital |
August 26* |
K and 1st grade in person |
6th grade in person |
9th grade in person |
All self-contained classes in person** |
September 2* |
K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades in person |
6th and 7th grades in person |
9th and 10th grades in person |
All self-contained classes in person** |
September 9* |
All grades in person |
All grades in person |
All grades in person |
All self-contained classes in person** |
* Dates are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 conditions in Gwinnett County at that time.
** Includes students who spend the majority of the day in a small-group setting: Severe/Moderate & Mild Autism; Severe/Profound, Moderate & Mild Intellectual Disabilities; Emotional-Behavioral Disabilities; ADAPT; GNETS; Visual Impairment; Moderate Visual Impairment; Orthopedic Impairment; Significant Developmentally Delayed; Specific Learning Disabilities (self-contained); Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Early Childhood Program (special needs pre-school).
GCPS leaders continue to study guidance from the Department of Public Health and the Georgia Department of Education in planning for the safest, most effective opening of school this fall.
Details for the 2020-21 school year will continue to be shared here and in SchoolMessenger updates. For questions regarding specific back-to-school information, please contact your local school.
GCPS Plans for Fall |
COVID-19 Resources and Information |
GCPS Resources and Information |
Open Letter to the Community and Employees (Aug. 4, 2020)
Protective measures in schools (Aug. 4, 2020)
Move to Digital Instruction (July 20, 2020)
Updates to Fall 2020 Plan (July 7, 2020)
2020-21 School Year Calendar (Revised July 7, 2020)
Overview of Information about Options for Fall 2020 FAQs about Options for the Fall 2020 (Updated July 10, 2020) |
Gwinnett Student Athletes Returned to Training June 8 |