Carlton J. Kell High School is a public high school in the Cobb County School District in the US state of Georgia. The school is located in unincorporated Cobb County with a Marietta address, just northwest of Atlanta. The school was founded in 2002 and serves students in the Cobb County area.
Serving 1,587 students in grades 9-12, Kell High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Georgia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 46% (which is higher than the Georgia state average of 39%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 56% (which is higher than the Georgia state average of 40%).
The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Georgia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the Georgia state average of 66% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,587 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 30% in GA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 46% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 56% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 65% (Top 10%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), GA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Kell High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Georgia for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Kell High School's student population of 1,587 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 92 teachers has grown by 8% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,587 students
Total Classroom Teachers
92 teachers
Year Founded
2002
Colors
White, Black, Copper
Campus Size
64 acres
School Motto
One Team, One Goal, Student Success!
School Rankings
Kell High School ranks within the top 30% of all 2,192 schools in Georgia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Kell High School is 0.70, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#468 out of 2192 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
40%
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
3%
5%
Hispanic
23%
20%
Black
25%
36%
White
43%
34%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
94%
84%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
63%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), GA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Longhorn
- Kell High School is located at 4770 Lee Waters Road in Marietta, Georgia and is in the Cobb County School District. Kell's biggest rival is Lassiter. Kell opened in 2002.
- Athletics: Kell is known for winning the 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 fast pitch softball state championships led by then-coach Todd Downes. They placed second in the state in baseball in the 2006 season led by head coach Donnie English. Kell's slowpitch softball team made it to state led by coach Shanna Estes in the 2006-2007.
- Kell offers the following sports: Boys Basketball (2006 runner up in state); Girls Basketball; Equestrian; Boys Soccer; Girls Soccer; Boys Golf; Girls Golf; Football (2005 state playoffs 3rd overall); Fast pitch softball (2003,2004,2005,2006 state champs); Slow pitch softball (2006 state finals); Baseball (2005 State Runner Up); Girls Tennis; Boys Tennis; Boys Track and Field; Girls Track and field (2006 regional champions); Swim and Dive; Volleyball; Wrestling (2005 state champs); Cross Country (2006 state meet 16 overall); Boys Lacrosse (2006 state finals); Girls Lacrosse; Competition Cheerleading.
- The Firings: Kell High Coach Reaches Settlement (WSB Radio) -- WSB News has learned that one of three Kell High School coaches, fired for the alleged misuse of school funds, has settled his dispute. Dennis Jordan, fired from his position as the Kell Longhorns' athletic director and head baseball coach, was scheduled for a hearing today. The hearing has been cancelled.
- Details of the settlement have not been released, but WSB's Bob Parlante has been told that Jordan will not get his job back or any financial compensation.
- The other coaches, head football coach Greg Vandagriff and head fast-pitch softball coach Todd Downes, has hearings scheduled for next month.
- However, Cobb County school officials are hoping to reach a settlement prior to the hearings.
- Former Kell High Principal John Flatt has admitted that he mishandled hundreds of thousands of dollars in school money and has said the three coaches fired in the aftermath didn't deserve to lose their jobs.
- While fired as coaches, Vandagriff and Downes will stay on as teachers. Flatt says he was forced to retire after the results of an audit showed he'd overspent as much as $200,000.
- Kell Names Donnie English as Baseball Head Coach: Osborne Veteran Returns to Cobb to Helm Longhorns. Donnie English, one of the most successful baseball coaches in Cobb County history, has been named head coach for the Kell High School baseball program. English retired in 2001 after a 29-year tenure at Osborne High School and returns to Cobb after coaching at Douglas County High School for the past three years. English and his Osborne teams won an impressive eight regional championships and five sub-region titles between 1975 and 1997, with a number of players drafted by Major League Baseball teams including Todd Jones, relief pitcher for the Florida Marlins. Kell Principal Dr. Michael Johnson, assistant principal and athletic director Roger McClure, and three representatives of the Kell baseball booster club all participated in interviewing candidates for the coaching job and agreed that English was an excellent choice to lead Kell back onto the diamond. Dr. Johnson is excited about what English brings to the Longhorns team and said, �Donnie English is one of the premier baseball coaches in Cobb County. We are fortunate to get him to work with us and he will continue the tradition that Kell has started.� English is confident about Kell�s team and what they can do in 2005. �They have good kids who are excited about playing baseball and that�s part of why I wanted to come to Kell,� said English. �They are a young team with lots of players returning and we want to build on what they accomplished last year.� The Longhorns Varsity baseball team earned a 15-11 record in 2004, finishing over .500 in their first year of eligibility in region 5-AAAAA. Kell will compete in region 6-AAAAA in 2005 along with Lassiter, Pope, Alpharetta, Cherokee, Canton, Marietta, Milton, Roswell, Sequoyah, and Woodstock high schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kell High School's ranking?
Kell High School is ranked #468 out of 2,192 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Georgia.
What schools are Kell High School often compared to?
Kell High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Lassiter High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
46% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% GA state average), while 56% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% GA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Kell High School?
The graduation rate of Kell High School is 94%, which is higher than the Georgia state average of 84%.
How many students attend Kell High School?
1,587 students attend Kell High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
43% of Kell High School students are White, 25% of students are Black, 23% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Kell High School?
Kell High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Georgia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Kell High School offer ?
Kell High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Kell High School part of?
Kell High School is part of Cobb County School District.
School Calendar
View the Kell High School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
First Day of School
August 03, 2026 (Monday)
Fall Break
September 21, 2026 (Monday)
Spring Break
April 05, 2027 (Monday)
Last Day of School
May 19, 2027 (Wednesday)
School Reviews
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