Overview
The Fannin County School System (FCSS) serves over 2,800 students in five schools throughout scenic Fannin County. The FCSS holds a vision of excellence for all students with successful progression at each level and a 100% graduation rate. The school district is accredited by Cognia and the GAC (Georgia Accrediting Commission).The FCSS began operating as a charter system on July 1, 2015. Through this initiative the Fannin County School System has gained flexibility to investigate and utilize innovative educational practices and permitted more autonomy in school-based leadership and decision making. You can find more information by visiting: www. fannin.k12.ga.us
C2C - Commitment to Conservation Recipient, 2026
Blue Ridge Elementary School STEM Lab is a 2026 Commitment to Conservation recipient. They have implemented sustainable practices such as hosting an Earth Day family night focused on protecting fireflies and pollinators.
They conduct water monitoring of the health of Mineral Springs. They learn about the importance of stream health and water Conservation by helping with macroinvertebrate count and steam surveys.
They also help to create firefly and pollinator habitats by stratifying native milkweed seeds each year that are given away at the annual milkweed giveaway at the Ag Center!
Fannin County Middle School is a 2026 Commitment to Conservation recipient. They have implemented sustainable practices such as their STEM Exploratory class participates in several conservation initiatives working in partnership with Save Georgia's Hemlocks, Birds Georgia, Trout Unlimited, and Georgia Adopt A Stream.
FCMS recently hosted a workshop for local elementary school STEM teachers on the topic of local birds. Students participate annually in the Great Southeastern Pollinator Census as well as a bird census through Project Feeder Watch.
A pollinator garden as been established as well as student-made feeders are offered to the community and placed around the school during fall and spring migration.
At FCMS, they contribute to trout water preservation by planting hemlock trees along the stream, raising trout in the classroom and releasing them locally in the
Toccoa River, and using best management practices for reducing stream bank erosion along Mineral Springs. They have purchased rain barrels to use next year in the school vegetable garden.