InTucker Magazine
August 2025
What is the Tucker Cluster?
It’s back to school time! The Tucker Cluster of schools is made up of five elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. All are unique in what they offer to our community of children, and all are schools of excellence. The schools are governed by the DeKalb County School District and led by the county wide elected Board of Commissioners and the District Superintendent.
Tucker High School
Founded in 1918
Principal: Dr. Eric Parker
Attendance: 1,600 students
Mascot: Tigers
THS offers an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Program, A+ Certification Program offered through the Technology Education department, Business Industry Certification and Advanced Placement.
Tucker Middle School
Founded in 2004
Principal: Candace Steadman
Attendance: 1,200 students
Mascot: Tigers
TMS proudly offers STEM, CTAE, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program, and they are a Steven Covey Leader in Me School. TMS has an award-winning STEM program and earned the distinction of dual STEM certification through both Cognia and the Georgia Department of Education for the 2025–2026 school year. The middle school is also adding Computer Science and Entrepreneurship to their CTAE programs. Some of the goals for the upcoming school year for TMS are expanding STEM offerings, ensuring every student is connected to a program, club, or activity. Also, another goal the school has is to improve student achievement in Math and in English Language Arts. Along with that they want to grow their community partnerships.
Brockett Elementary
Founded in 1961
Principal: Antoinette Seabrook
Attendance: 495 students
Mascot: Bobcats
The school provides a highly varied and challenging program of education that allows students to develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. The PTA and local businesses actively support the school and they are aggressively seeking certification as an International Baccalaureate School.
Through parental partnership with administration, the school has an amazing garden that is used by several teachers to enhance their student’s learning.
Idlewood Elementary
Founded in 1967
Principal: Robin Elder
Attendance: 500 students
Mascot: Mustangs
Idlewood offers a variety of special programs, including art, music, band, and a garden club, and proudly identifies as the Mustangs. One of the school’s main goals for the upcoming year is for every staff member to “Stir Up Success”. Idlewood truly special with its diverse population and experienced staff, creating a unique and supportive learning environment. As the new school year approaches, the school community is most excited about the reduced student population, upcoming renovations, and the opportunity to serve every child every day in a more unified space.
Livsey Elementary
Founded in 1971
Principal: Shawna Pickett
Attendance: 400 students
Mascot: Leopards
Livsey has received state recognition for being a Distinguished School for English Language Arts and Math, along is also a STEM certified school. They are committed to fostering academic excellence by supporting every student in reaching their full potential through high-quality instruction, data-driven practices, and a culture of continuous growth. The school’s Science Olympiad Team has made it to the State Science Olympiad for over ten years to represent DCSD. Livsey is a small community school with wonderful students, parents, and staff. The school had HVAC, vestibule and other building renovations over the summer and they are excited about the newly renovated school.
Midvale Elementary
Founded in 1966
Principal: Tara Dougherty
Attendance: 425 students
Mascot: Mustangs
Midvale Elementary is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program and is an AdvancED STEM certified school making it Tucker’s only STEAM based elementary school.
Midvale’s student and parent population is very engaged with a strong Parent Teacher Organization that hosts multiple fundraising events throughout the year, best known for the silent auction.
The building has undergone several improvements in recent years with E-SPLOST allocations.
Smoke Rise Elementary
Founded in 1969, New Construction in 2021
Principal: Dr. Kryste Tatum
Attendance: 860 students
Mascot: Jaguars
Smoke Rise is STEM certified and offers technology integration such as Lego Robotics along with computer coding, music and art programs, Environmental Club, National Jr. Beta Club, Strands of Pearls, Boys of Distinction, and Science Olympiad. One of the goals for the upcoming school year is to increase student achievement.
The school has a strong community and parental involvement along with a proven track record of award-winning excellence. Smoke Rise has multiple state and national recognitions including National ESEA Distinguished School, Georgia Title I Distinguished School and Georgia Beating the Odds School.