Peaches, pine trees, and picturesque landscapes – you can find all these in Georgia, famously known as “The Peach State.” Because it embodies the South’s signature hospitality, Georgia is popular among tourists and homebuyers looking for warm and balmy temperatures and a better quality of life. Additionally, the state, particularly the suburban area of East Cobb in Cobb County, is best known for its excellent schools, making it a top choice for families.
Get to know the notable people who have attended some of East Cobb’s excellent schools and its adjacent areas, joining the ranks of famous people who live or once lived in Georgia. Let’s explore how the schools in their hometown helped shape them into the game-changers we know today.
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THE BEST EAST COBB, GA SCHOOLS
East Cobb is an unincorporated suburban community in Cobb County, located just 25 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. While the people of this quiet, affluent haven of around 220,000 people identify as East Cobb residents, the status of their community as not having its own local government means they have to use the City of Marietta as their address, which lies outside East Cobb.
East Cobb’s proximity to Atlanta also gives them access to urban amenities. However, East Cobb’s biggest draw are its schools, which are consistently ranked as among the best in Georgia and the US.
On USNews.com’s rankings of 2024’s Best U.S. High Schools out of 18,000 surveyed, the following East Cobb schools were standouts:
- Lassiter High School, cited for its rigorous academic program and advanced placement programs.
- Walton High School, known for its extensive academic curriculum, award-winning sports teams, and a vibrant arts program. It made the best of 2024, ranking:
- Pope High School, which surpassed the state average in college and career preparedness. Students thrive in its strong academic courses, diverse extracurricular activities, and a supportive learning environment. It made the 2024 list with the following rankings:
#2 in Cobb County School District High School
#9 in Atlanta, GA Metro Area High Schools
97% graduation rate, higher than the 87% national average in 2021-2022
It has also been a consistent recipient of the Georgia Public School of Excellence and the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.#4 in Georgia High Schools
#1 in in Cobb County School District High Schools
#3 in Atlanta, GA Metro Area High Schools
#18 in Atlanta, GA Metro Area High Schools
#25 in Georgia High Schools
#3 in in Cobb County School District High Schools
Boosting the community
East Cobb schools have produced notable alumni in the fields of sports, entertainment, business and politics. Their achievements boost community pride and real estate in East Cobb, Georgia through:
- Stellar educational reputation The success of former students shines a spotlight on the local schools, making the area a sought-after spot for families who prioritize education. Homebuyers who seek out these top-notch schools naturally increase property values, adding to the area’s marketability.
- Community appeal An area becomes more desirable because of its association with accomplished individuals. Interested homebuyers often view the success of a community’s alumni as proof of a supportive and nurturing environment.
- Enhanced reputation
THE RISE OF EAST COBB SCHOOLS
East Cobb’s history is closely tied to Atlanta’s development and the suburban expansion that followed. Families moved to the area, lured by its suburban lifestyle with easy access to the city, which boosted the need for quality education.
Beginnings. Established in 1928, Mountain View Elementary was one of the first schools in what eventually became East Cobb. Today, this historic educational institution stands as a 144,000-square-foot modern facility, thanks to Cobb County School District’s substantial investment in the development and modernization of school facilities.
Growth. Over the years, the area’s educational infrastructure has adapted to the needs of its rising population and evolving educational standards. As a result, new campuses have been constructed and existing ones renovated to ensure students remain competitive through updated learning environments. For instance, Brumby Elementary School and East Cobb Middle School, both established in the 1960s, were given new campuses, with construction amounting to $53 million.
Expansion. East Cobb schools have also expanded their academic and extracurricular programs, giving students a deeper and more well-rounded school life. Kell High School offers Advanced Placement courses like calculus, chemistry, and world languages like Latin and Spanish. These allow students to earn college credits while still in high school. Meanwhile, the East Cobb Middle School is STEAM-certified, which integrates the traditional STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, and math – with the arts.
Extracurriculars. In terms of programs outside of academics, East Cobb schools have incorporated the following:
- Athletics to highlight physical fitness and sportsmanship at Hightower Trail Middle School, with solid programs in soccer, basketball, track and field, and many more.
- Performing arts opportunities in band, choir, and theater are highlighted at Dickerson Middle School through community events and local competitions.
Achievement unlocked. A solid curriculum, opportunities for advancement, and a well-rounded education have resulted in 97% graduation rates for East Cobb, GA students, which is higher than the national average. Thus, it comes as no surprise that notable and famous people who once lived in Georgia were products of East Cobb schools.
They’ve become who they are because the community and school district took the time to continuously invest in what mattered most in the place they grew up in – upgrading the schools, hiring quality staff, collaborating with locals, and demonstrating effective school leadership.
MORE REASONS EAST COBB, GA PRODUCES TOP GRADUATES
From sports and entertainment to sciences and public affairs, East Cobb and its neighboring areas have produced many notable individuals because of the high-quality education that they had access to. Students were also given the opportunity to discover and cultivate their talent, develop life skills, and sharpen their critical thinking.
To that, credit must be given to the community itself.
East Cobb is a supportive community
Nor only is East Cobb, Georgia an affluent community as seen in its many luxury homes for sale, this prosperity comes with resources and opportunities that support personal and professional growth.
East Cobb’s proximity to Atlanta expands access
Being close to a major city allows East Cobb residents access to a thriving arts scene, professional sports teams, and corporate headquarters that promote career advancement.
East Cobb has a rich and open culture
A secure community with museums, theatres, art galleries, and related events encourages residents to broaden perspectives and pursue their goals.
East Cobb’s strong economy provides resources for success
A strong local economy provides mentorship and networking opportunities, equipping young people with guidance and resources for success.
NOTABLE NAMES FROM EAST COBB AREA
Here are some graduates from the East Cobb area that have achieved personal success and made significant contributions to their fields.
Pioneers in their field
- Monica Jones Kaufman Pearson, who currently resides in Georgia, moved to Atlanta in the 1970s and became the first woman and first African-American to serve as the evening news anchor at WSB-TV. During her 37-year career in the TV station, Pearson was the recipient of more than 30 Southern regional and local Emmy awards.
- Chris Klaus, tech entrepreneur, founded Internet Security Systems (ISS), a pioneering company in providing software and services for network security in the early 1990s. IBM acquired ISS in 2006, highlighting the cybersecurity company’s value. Klaus was still a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology when he established ISS. He made a significant donation to his alma mater, which funded the Klaus Advanced Computing Building.
- John Isakson, the late former senator, lived in East Cobb and attended the University of Georgia. His political career began when he secured a position at the Georgia House of Representatives in Eastern Cobb County in the 1970s. During his seven-term service, he worked in the Committee on Education and the Workforce. In 2004, he became senator and served for three terms.
Athletes and sports personalities
East Cobb, Georgia is known for its strong sports programs, developing talent, promoting fitness, and instilling values like teamwork and discipline. As a result, High school programs have produced successful sports teams with multiple state championships under their belt. Meanwhile, community initiatives like the East Cobb Baseball have nurtured young talent and contributed to the area’s athletic excellence.
- Sean McVay, the youngest coach in National Football League (NFL) history, was born and raised in Marietta, a stone’s throw away from East Cobb, GA. He first played quarterback for the North Marietta Vikings at Fullers Park when he was 10 years old. As a high school student in Atlanta, he became the first Marist School quarterback to surpass a thousand yards in both rushing and passing.
- Adam Everett lived just 20 minutes from East Cobb, GA and attended Harrison High School. In the 1995 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, the Chicago Cubs selected Everett straight out of high school. Known as a third baseman and shortstop, he played for several teams, including the Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians. Everett retired in 2012 and has become a coach.
- Danielle Donehew, basketball player, attended Sequoyah High School in Hickory Road, also near East Cobb. Here, she actively participated in basketball, soccer, and volleyball, even joining the boy’s golf team and playing kicker on the football team. When she graduated in 1996, Donehew achieved a school record by earning 11 varsity letters. Even before joining the women’s basketball team of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s, Donehew was recognized as Georgia High School Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Later on, she was appointed executive vice president of the Atlanta Dream and executive director of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. She was also president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board for three years.
- Nick Markakis, the Greek-American baseball player, graduated from Woodstock High School, about 15 miles from East Cobb, GA. After playing outfielder and pitcher in college, Markakis competed with the Greek national baseball team at the European National Championships and earned a silver medal. He also played at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. His career in professional baseball began when he joined the Baltimore Orioles, earning a Gold Glove thrice. In 2014, Markakis signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. In 2018, he received a Silver Slugger Award and earned a spot as an MLB All-Star. Markakis retired after 15 seasons.
- Dexter Fowler, a former professional baseball center fielder, is a graduate of Milton High School, which is a 20-minute drive from East Cobb. He turned down offers from Harvard and the University of Miami to pursue a career in MLB. He played for the Colorado Rockies for five years, where he hit his first career home run on the game’s first pitch, making him the first Rockies player to do so. He subsequently played for the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, and the Toronto Blue Jays. Fowler declared his retirement from professional baseball in 2023.
Artists and pop culture icons
East Cobb, GA-adjacent communities also benefited from Cobb County’s superior school districts. These areas produced several renowned artists, entertainers, and pop culture luminaries. Their achievements have brought national and international recognition to corners surrounding East Cobb, GA.
- Julia Roberts, who was born in Smyrna, just 10 minutes from East Cobb, attended Campbell High School. Roberts’s parents were both actors and playwrights who co-established the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop and operated an acting school for children. Her showbiz pedigree (brother Eric and niece Emma are actors), Hollywood career (one Oscar, three Academy Award nominations), and signature face-splitting grin are the stuff of legend. Aside from acting, Roberts is now a philanthropist, product endorser, and owner of a film production company.
- Travis Tritt was born in Marietta and studied at Sprayberry High School. He sang with the choir and regularly performed in school with his guitar. A songwriter since high school, Tritt had his first record deal with Warner Bros. in his 20s. His first single, “Country Club,” rocketed to No. 9 in the Hot Country Singles & Tracks. He went on to produce seven studio albums under Columbia Records and Category 5 Records. Tritt has received numerous awards from the Grammys and the Country Music Association.
- Mike Will Made-It, originally Michael Len Williams II, the record producer, was born in Marietta. He is widely recognized for working with Kanye West, Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Beyonce, Ciara, Miley Cyrus, and Kendrick Lamar. Williams also released his own songs in collaboration with other artists, including the single, “Turn on the Lights,” which reached No. 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song Billboard chart in 2012. Earlier in 2006, Williams founded the production company, Ear Drummers Entertainment, which describes itself as “a team of ambitious producers and songwriters specializing in making unique and creative music.”
- Alan Ball is a screenwriter and director who grew up in Marietta and attended Marietta High School. He first worked as a playwright for a Florida-based theater company, but got his big break in television by writing for the hit shows, “Grace Under Fire” and “Cybill”. In 1999, he won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the black-comedy drama, “American Beauty.” He also created the cable drama series, “Six Feet Under,” which received awards from the Emmys, Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globe, and Peabody. He was also the executive producer of the fantasy horror drama series, “True Blood.”
- Jeff Small, a Marietta native, is the president and chief executive officer of Amblin Partners and DreamWorks Pictures. While the former is an independent entertainment production company, the latter is known for producing blockbusters like “Shrek,” “Transformers,” “Madagascar,” and “War of the Worlds,” among others. Small earned a public policy degree from Stanford University, where he is currently involved in its Council on Lifelong Engagement and Advocacy for Development.
FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH AN ADDRESS IN GEORGIA
Areas in and around East Cobb, GA, have attracted high-profile residents for its appealing lifestyle. The state itself has a lower cost of living compared to New York, Washington, D.C., or California.
Atlanta, in particular, is a magnet for celebrities because of its dynamic cultural scene and growing film industry. With its variety of real estate choices, pleasant climate, and high quality of life, this area is perfect for those seeking career opportunities and a private retreat.
Here are some high-profile individuals who call this place home:
- Shaquille O’Neil, the retired basketball superstar, is now a sports analyst for “Inside the NBA.” He lives 40 minutes away from East Cobb in McDonough, Atlanta.
- Dwight Howard, who was a hardcourt sensation for the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks, lives in a multi-million dollar mansion in Atlanta.
- Elton John, who has homes around the world, owns a breathtaking, 12,000-square- foot penthouse condo in Atlanta.
- Cardi B initially gained fame in New York, but the rapper moved to a $6 million luxury home in the upscale Chastain Park neighborhood in Buckhead, to raise her family.
It’s clear that these celebrities have discovered the allure of northern Georgia, specifically the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
If your house hunting aspirations lean toward something affluent but a bit more private, and with superior school districts in place, East Cobb, GA could be your special corner in the Peach State.
DISCOVER YOUR PERFECT HOME IN EAST COBB, GEORGIA
Finding just the home that answers all your wants and needs in this gorgeous area deserves the insight of an insider with over 20 years of real estate experience. The Page Morgan Group proudly fits the bill.
As a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ and 5-star Zillow Premier Agent, we’re committed to helping you make your major life decision and ensuring a smooth and seamless home-buying experience. We’re excited to show you around this amazing neighborhood and enhance the quality of your life like never before.
Call us, Page Morgan Team, at 770.579.6560 or send us an email to find your dream home with award-winning schools in East Cobb, GA today.