Athens City Schools is a K-12 public school district serving Athens, Alabama since 1909. Our system has a long history and reputation for academic excellence and is consistently ranked as one of the best school districts in the state. Student test scores are above the state average and always compare well to national averages. Dedicated teachers and staff, combined with involved parents and a supportive community, contribute to the success achieved by our students.
We deliver high-quality education.
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We have award-winning schools, competitive rankings, and intentional, focused teacher development that ensures that we never stop striving, pushing, and reaching to be our best.
We are progressive.
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We are outside-the-box thinkers who are always looking for the best ways to innovate “inside the box” to deliver the best school experience possible for every child.
We are connected.
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Our size allows opportunities for involvement and connection for every student - and every parent - who wants to be a part of our Athens family, and we believe that is something special.
For over a century, our schools have been the heartbeat of our community. This tradition and sense of heritage continues today and is cherished by people who have been a part of Athens for generations and for those who continue to choose Athens for their families for generations to come. ACS offers a personalized experience for their children while living in a traditional, caring community. We are committed to empowering all students for lifelong success in a rapidly changing world. We hope you will join us and catch the spirit of One Athens. It's great to be a Golden Eagle!
District Leadership
Mrs. Beth Patton
SUPERINTENDENT, ATHENS CITY SCHOOLS
Mrs. Beth Patton has served Athens City Schools in the role of Superintendent since 2020. She is the first woman to serve as Superintendent of Athens City Schools.
An Athens native and graduate of Athens High School, Beth Patton has been part of the Athens City Schools team as an educator since 1991. She was a teacher for eighteen years before furthering her service as an administrator at the Board of Education central office. As Director of Student Services and Assistant Superintendent for ACS, she served as the homeless liaison and leader of learning support systems. She sees the challenges facing our students and families and considers herself blessed to have opportunities to positively impact lives.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Athens State University, a Master's degree from Alabama A&M University, and Class A Certification in Instructional Leadership from the University of North Alabama. Mrs. Patton is married and is the proud mother of adult twins who are Athens alumni. She is a member of Education Solution’s Transformative Leadership Academy and Athens Rotary Club, and serves on numerous boards including Athens City Schools Foundation (ex officio), Chamber of Commerce (ex officio), Kids & Kin, LCEDA, Mission Athens, and United Way.
Contact Superintendent's Office
Mrs. Tammie Brand
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
(256) 233-6601
Tammie.Brand@acs-k12.org
Mrs. Serena Owsley
Chief School Financial Officer and Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Finance
Mrs. Serena Owsley has served as the Chief School Financial Officer for Athens City Schools since 2016. She earned her accounting degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and has worked for ACS for more than a decade. She oversees all aspects of the system's finances. Owsley brings years of experience in the private and public sectors with a focus on transparencey, accountability and fiscal budgeting. She helps streamline financial and procedural policies to benefit the financial health of ACS.
Contact:
Serena.Owsley@acs-k12.org
256.771.7135
Mr. Garner Ezell
Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Garner Ezell has 39 years of experience serving as a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle and high school levels. While a student at UNA, he was selected by the College of Education as one of Education’s Top Ten and was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. He is a member of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) and the Alabama Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (Alabama ASCD). Garner served as a coach and social studies/history teacher at Lawrence County High School, Lexington School and Cherokee High School. He joined Athens City Schools in 1986. Throughout his 31 years, he has served as Head Football Coach, American History and AP American History Teacher, Assistant Principal at Athens High School and Principal at Athens Intermediate School and Brookhill Elementary School. He has served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction since 2008. Mr. Ezell resides in Athens with his wife, Deb, who is a retired ACS educator. He has two adult children, Rob and David, who are Athens High School graduates. Click here to learn more about Curriculum and Instruction.
Contact:
Garner.Ezell@acs-k12.org
Garner.Ezell@acs-k12.org
256.233.6625