North Paulding High School

History

The school was built to address overcrowding in Paulding County, which was listed as the eighth fastest-growing county in the nation from 2000 to 2009. North Paulding was originally projected to open in 2008, but due to overcrowding in the nearby East Paulding High School, it opened a year early in 2007.

In the school's first year, North Paulding served only freshmen and operated out of Sammy McClure Middle School until the high school building was completed in 2008. The school graduated its first senior class in 2011. The campus is shared with Sammy McClure Middle School and Burnt Hickory Elementary School.

Administration

In 2018, Gabe Carmona, previously principal of Marietta High School, was appointed principal of North Paulding High School.

COVID-19 pandemic

In August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the school gained national attention after a student, Hannah Watters, posted a photo to social media showing crowded hallways with few students wearing masks. Watters was initially suspended for violating the student code of conduct regarding the use of cell phones and social media; however, following widespread public criticism, the school rescinded the suspension. Shortly after the reopening, the school temporarily switched to virtual learning after reporting nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and staff.

Academics

North Paulding High teaches grades 9–12 using a block schedule, where students take semester-long classes. The curriculum includes college preparatory and technical programs such as Business Education, Marketing Education, Construction Education, Automotive Technology, Engineering, Culinary Arts, Public Safety, Healthcare Science, and Cosmetology.

The school established an Army JROTC program beginning in the 2011–12 school year.

Extra-curricular activities and athletics

North Paulding offers various after-school clubs, including Chess, Chorus, Band, Beta Club, Drama, Foreign Language Club, FBLA, DECA, HOSA, FCCLA, SkillsUSA, Show Choir, and 4-H.

For the 2024–2026 classification cycle, the North Paulding Wolfpack competes in Class 6A, Region 5 of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), following the elimination of the 7A classification. The school competes in athletics including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming, wrestling, cross country, track and field, and volleyball.

Notable alumni

• Chris Conley – NFL wide receiver

References

References

1. "North Paulding High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
2. Barker, Christopher. "Paulding 8th fastest-growing U.S. county." ''Times-Georgian'' (2010).
3. "North Paulding High School 'About'." North Paulding High School. Paulding County School District.
4. Abusaid, Shadi. (2018-03-27). "Marietta High School principal headed to North Paulding". [[Marietta Daily Journal]].
5. (August 7, 2020). "Georgia student suspended after posting photo of a crowded hallway - CNN Video".
6. Nieto del Rio, Giulia McDonnell. "Suspension Lifted of Georgia Student Who Posted Photos of Crowded Hall". The New York Times.
7. Beachum, Lateshia. "Georgia teens shared photos of maskless students in crowded hallways. Now they're suspended.". Washington Post.
8. Staff, WSBTV com News. (August 9, 2020). "Days after photos of packed hallways go viral, Paulding high school reports 9 COVID-19 cases".
9. "North Paulding High School 'About'." North Paulding High School.
10. "2024-2025 Region Alignments". Georgia High School Association.
11. Lake, Thomas. (2014-11-14). "Georgia's Chris Conley making impact as receiver, filmmaker and beyond".