Pickens County's diverse academic offerings are proof that living in a rural community does not mean sacrificing educational advantages. A strong public school system, several private institutes, a premier vocational-technical institute and a four-year liberal arts college are all readily available to Pickens County residents. It is no mere coincidence that the county who pioneered the first Head Start program in the United States continues to explore new ways to best prepare young people for productive and successful lives.

Pickens County has four Elementary Schools, two Middle Schools and one High School.  All of Pickens County's Elementary Schools participate in the "Reading First" instructional program grants. Both Middle Schools provide the core academic courses in a team-teaching approach, plus a variety of exploratory courses and an extensive sports program. Pickens High School offers a variety of programs, ranging from vocational to college preparatory which enables students to fare well at colleges and post-secondary institutions across the nation. The average SAT scores of seniors and the extraordinarily high percentage of student who pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test on the first attempt are some of the factors of the school's outstanding program that led U.S. News & World Report to identify it in January 1999 as a "High Achieving" school.

Read more about Pickens County Schools on their website.

Jasper Christian School equips its students for a lifetime of learning. The Academic program is aimed at excellence, with each student being motivated to reach beyond what he or she thought was possible in personal achievement. Education at Jasper Christian School leads the student on a path of discovery where curiosity is aroused and creativity is fostered.

Read more about Jasper Christian School on their website. 

Wildwood Christian Academy provides excellence in education in a Christian environment with a low student/teacher ratio. Students learn in a caring, nurturing, family atmosphere. Wildwood Christian Academy has a strong curriculum including music, art, foreign language, computer training, and physical education. They also have after-school programs including tennis, golf, strings, archery, intramural sports, and chess club. They provide weekly chapel programs with visiting clergy and lay people.

Read more about Wildwood Christian Academy on their website.

Appalachian Technical College is a member of Georgia's Technical College System and is governed by the State Board of the Department of Technical and Adult Education. The College also has a local board that works to interpret State Board policy and serves as advocates for the College in the community.

Pickens Area Vocational-Technical School began classes with 22 staff members and nine areas of study on August 14, 1967. After becoming a unit of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education in 1988, the school name was changed to Pickens Technical Institute. On July 1, 1999 the name was changed to Appalachian Technical Institute to better reflect its service area of Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties. As the new millennium began, Appalachian Technical College was born. In January 2005, the college opened its Woodstock Campus. With a staff of over 100, the college now offers more than 50 degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs.

Read more about Appalachian Technical College on their website.

Reinhardt College is a four-year liberal arts college associated with the United Methodist Church. For more than 120 years, Reinhardt has focused on meeting student needs one person at a time. Reinhardt's emphasis is on personalized education, best provided in small classes by talented professors who truly care. A private, co-ed college founded in 1883, Reinhardt has students can choose from a master in business administration to 36 undergraduate degree programs which range from business, education and communication to sociology, digital art, math and music.

For more information on Reinhardt College visit their website.