It's almost back-to-school time in metro Atlanta

Like an ice cream cone that melts too quickly, summer break is almost over, and school buses and parents — no longer off the grid for vacations — will again squeeze onto Atlanta roadways during rush hour.

Most metro area school districts will open their doors in early August, taking in more than 800,000 students, though more than one will have kids in their seats in July.

This is when school starts in 18 of the region’s largest districts:

Atlanta: Aug. 1 (details)

Buford: Aug. 2

Cherokee County: Aug. 1

Clayton County: Aug. 6

Cobb County: Aug. 1 (details)

Coweta County: Aug. 3

Decatur: Aug. 1

DeKalb County: Aug. 6 (details)

Douglas County: Aug. 8

Fayette County: Aug. 6

Forsyth County: Aug. 2

Fulton County: Aug. 6 (details)

Gwinnett County: Aug. 6 (details)

Hall County: Aug. 7

Henry County: July 30

Marietta: Aug. 2

Newton County: Aug. 1

Rockdale County: July 30

>>New federal rules about seat belts on school buses

About the Author

Atlanta parents, residents object to plans to close some schools

Due to lower enrollment and climbing costs, 16 school buildings would be repurposed under the plan, with several schools closing and their students rezoned for other schools.

Judge overturns expulsion of Cobb student who warned friends of school threat

A Cobb County judge said the school system did not prove that a student who warned friends about a perceived threat intentionally disrupted the school day.