Atlanta Public Schools is marking its 150th school year by spotlighting artifacts from the district’s musuem and by hosting a parade celebrating current and former students.

The district’s list of notable students is a who’s who of Atlantans who have left their mark on the city, on Georgia, and beyond.

Learn more about the history of APS and it’s 150th celebration here, and learn more below about some of the schools’ most famous alumni.

Archer High School

Edith Mcguire-Duvall (Olympian and teacher at East Lake Elementary School)

Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight, an alum of Samuel Howard Archer High School, seen here in a promotional photo in 2007. (AJC file)

Boys High School

Ivan Allen Jr. (former Atlanta mayor)

Ivan Allen Jr., an alumnus of Boys High School, shown here sometime in the late 1950s. (AJC Archive at GSU Library/AJCP339-219a)

John S. Chandler (Chief Justice, State Supreme Court)

Franklin Garrett: (official historian of Atlanta)

Clark Howell (former editor of the Atlanta Constitution)

Boisfeuillet “Bo” Jones (former president of the Woodruff Foundation)

Harrison Jones (former president of Coca Cola)

Dean Rusk (former U.S. Secretary of State)

Commercial and Tech High School

Truett Cathy

Truett Cathy, an alumnus of Commercial and Tech High School, shown here in 1979. (Joe Benton/AJC file)

John Portman

Architect John Portman, an alumnus of Commercial and Tech High School, shown here in 2006. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC 2006 file)

Cox Elementary School

Cecil Welch (world famous trumpeter)

Frederick Douglass High School

Keisha Lance Bottoms

Keisha Lance Bottoms, an alum of Frederick Douglass High School, shown here in 2023. (Susan Walsh/AP)

Killer Mike (Render)

Mike "Killer Mike" Render, an alumnis of Frederick Douglass High School, shown here in 2005. (Sonia Murray/AJC file)

Lil Jon (Jonathan Smith)

Rev. Bernice King

Dexter King

Dykes High School

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson

Sen. Johnny Isakson, an alumnus of Dykes High School, shown here in 2008. (Rick McKay/AJC 2008 file)

Billy Payne

Billy Payne, and alumnus of Dykes High School, shown here in 1991. (William Berry/AJC 1991 file)

Fulton High School

Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield, an alumnus of Fulton High School, shown here in 1984. (Marty Lederhandler/AP)

Girls High School

Barbara Cook (opera singer)

Ida Jarrell (first female superintendent of APS)

Larry Rakestraw (NFL)

David Rocker (NFL)

Grady (Now Midtown) High School

Danielle Deadwyler

Danielle Deadwyler, an alumna of Grady (Now Midtown) High School, seen here in a recent photo from 2023. (Vianney Le Caer/AP)

Yolanda King

Angela Robinson

Harper High School

Judge Glenda Hatchett

Howard High School

Walter “Clyde” Frazier

Walt Frazier, an alum of David T. Howard Middle School, shown here in 1970. (AP)

Bryan Morel “Bitsy” Grant (tennis player)

Bryan M. 'Bitsy' Grant, an alumnus of Howard High School, shown here in 1937. (AP file)

Maynard Jackson

Maynard Jackson, an alumnus of Howard High School, shown here in 1947. (Courtesy of the Jackson family)

Vernon Jordan

Lonnie King (civil rights activist who advocated for de-segregation in APS)

Mel Pender (Olympian)

Mildred McDaniel Singleton (Olympian—first African American female to win gold for the US)

Margaret Matthews Wilburn (Olympian)

James Williams (Paralympian)

Carl Wright

Mays High School

Mayor Andre Dickens

Andre Dickens, an alum of Benjamin E. Mays High School, shown here in 2021. (Alyssa Pointer/AJC 2021 file)

Tayari Jones

Novelist Tayari Jones is a graduate of Benjamin E. Mays High School. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas

Walter Kimbrough

Northside (now North Atlanta) High School

RuPaul Andre Charles

RuPaul Andre Charles, an alum of Northside (now North Atlanta) High School, seen here in a promotional image from 2002. (Mathu & Zaldy)