The district has about 50,000 students, roughly 2,500 fewer than five years ago. Its school board approved a budget of nearly $1.3 billion last spring, but declining enrollment means the district has less revenue even as educators say more students need support.

Recent state reading tests found that nearly 55% of Clayton County third-graders were below grade level. Statewide, the share was about 32.5%.

At Riverdale Early Learning Center, which opened this year, Principal Enika Bryant greets children as they arrive and points to the school’s welcoming classrooms. Teachers work with young students on early skills that can help prepare them for kindergarten. In one classroom, teacher Makeba Frazier uses a multisensory literacy approach, helping children connect letter shapes and sounds as they begin reading.

District leaders say children are sometimes arriving at school less prepared, and that earlier support can help address learning gaps before they widen. The challenge extends beyond academics: Riverdale Elementary Principal Michael Faison said some families need help with essentials, and the school’s “Because We Care” closet stocks uniforms, school supplies and food.

Clayton schools also compete with nearby districts for teachers. Superintendent Bryan Hendrix has pointed to pay differences, saying educators can earn substantially more over a career in neighboring systems. At Riverdale Elementary, first-year teacher Zentrina Choice said she plans to stay in teaching, but the strain of making ends meet remains a concern for some educators.

The combination of fewer students, constrained revenue and high levels of need puts pressure on schools to make limited resources go further. For families, the stakes are immediate: early-learning programs, literacy instruction and access to basic necessities can shape whether children are ready to succeed in class.