u/BuckheadSlag

Atlanta Public Schools issued this statement today, September 22, 2026:

Atlanta Public Schools Statement Regarding Maynard Jackson High Students’ Experience at Jefferson High School.

ATLANTA – Atlanta Public Schools (APS) respects the independent review processes conducted by Jefferson City Schools (JCS) and the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). We appreciate GHSA’s conclusion that both football teams demonstrated sportsmanship during the contest. 

However, that conclusion does not fully address the separate experience reported by members of the Maynard Jackson High School band.

GHSA does not oversee marching band activities, which was the source of the claim and has been the primary focus of our investigation. Band students and support staff at Maynard Jackson High School have reported some students were subjected to the following:

• Being called racial slurs as they entered the game
• Being called racial slurs in the area next to the restroom
• Being called racial slurs while exiting the stadium

While we respect that JCS has stated they “found no evidence to substantiate this claim,” our students' voices matter and their experiences matter. Allegations involving racism and discriminatory behavior are serious and deserve to be examined with the utmost clarity, transparency, thoroughness and care. 

• Multiple band members reported being subjected to racial slurs at several points during their visit. Their concerns were heard by Maynard Jackson High School administration, documented and communicated to JCS.

APS is deeply disheartened that our students were subjected to racial slurs and made to feel unsafe at any point during the contest. 

As a school system, we will continue to support our students. APS will also strengthen security measures for out-of-district events to help ensure our students, staff, and families are cared for and protected to the fullest extent possible. 

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