Tackling the Bully Problem

How Atlanta Schools Deal with Bullying

By Laura Raines and Sheila Cosgrove

The educational experience is constantly changing, as technology and teaching methods evolve. But one aspect of school life remains as present as reading, writing, and arithmetic: bullying. It’s a problem that torments many children, and can have long-lasting effects long beyond a child’s school years. Fortunately, public and independent Atlanta schools have procedures in place to deal with the issue, and aim to tackle the problem through their curricula as well.

What Is Bullying?

Approximately 22% of students between the ages of 12 and 18 reported being bullied at school during the 2024-2025 school year, according to Defeat the Label, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering students to end bullying. And as many as 13 million students will be bullied this year, according to the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children through prevention education programs.

Attacking the problem begins with having a clear definition. The website StopBullying.gov defines bullying as “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.” Examples of bullying include making threats, spreading rumors, and either verbal or physical abuse.

Bullying usually takes the form of repetitive unkind behaviors directed by one student toward another, “where there’s some intention behind it,” says Sara Friedman, director of K-12 school counseling at The Lovett School. “That can look like spreading rumors. It can look like continual unkind comments about a person, about their appearance. So it comes in many forms. And because technology is such a part of students’ day-to-day lives, it often has an online component, where it can get
further, quicker.”

Teaching Positive Behaviors

Curtailing negative behaviors is necessary, but educators are finding that teaching positive behaviors and creating inclusive, supporting school environments can make a bigger impact.

Teaching responsibility and respect for others begins early at Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia, where students range in age from 15 months to 6 years old.

“I think the hallmark is respect for the child,” says Debra Markham, the school’s director, referring to Montessori school founder Maria Montessori’s teachings. “One of Maria Montessori’s biggest inspirations was the idea that children have a great capacity for learning if you prepare their environment. The classroom is designed and set up so the children can learn about every function of the classroom, not just academics. They’re taught how to care for themselves.”

At The Lovett School, communication between the upper, middle, and lower schools helps foster a feeling of community and inclusion. Through the Morning Meeting Mentors program, upper-school students have the opportunity to engage with and mentor fifth-grade students. Similarly, the Girl Talk program gives upper-school girls the chance to mentor middle-school girls.

“Preventing bullying and other issues between students can’t just come down to a campaign or a poster,” Friedman says. “It has to be part of our school culture to embrace character and kindness.” Toward that goal, the school employs a director of Belonging, who oversees a team of staffers dedicated to bringing students together to understand and celebrate their different heritages. “It really helps us emphasize the importance of including others, of accepting everyone and embracing each person’s dignity,” Friedman says. The department hosts events including outside speakers, interfaith services, and musical performances to help educate students about different cultures.

What You Can Do

If you think your child may be the victim of a bully, there are plenty of resources available to help them navigate the situation.

Reporting an incident to a teacher or school counselor is an important first step toward addressing the problem.

“There’s a lot of available support on school campuses who can help early on before it grows into something bigger,” Friedman says.

But if your child is afraid of coming forward, there are a number of ways to report the situation anonymously.

The Georgia Department of Education operates a statewide school safety hotline (1-877-SAY-STOP) that allows students, parents, and educators to confidentially report instances of bullying, threats, and other safety issues 24 hours a day.

Atlanta Public Schools uses the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System as its primary platform for reporting incidents of bullying or other safety concerns. Concerned parties can submit information through the Say Something page on the Atlanta Public Schools website, the Say Something website, or the Say Something app.

Parents can also watch for warning signs. Your child may show decreased interest in school, have angry outbursts, or even hurt themselves.

But the most important thing you can do as a parent is to talk to your child. “Keeping the lines of communication open is super-important,” Friedman says. “Be available and open to talk to your child if you think something is happening.”

If your child tells you they’re being bullied, listen calmly, without getting upset, and offer your support.

The next step is to help them figure out an appropriate response to the bullying behavior. But don’t try to solve the problem for them. It’s important for them to feel as if they’re handling it themselves. This can help them feel less like a victim and feel empowered to address any future incidents of bullying with more confidence.

And however they choose to handle the situation, encourage them to see a school counselor to help them deal with any emotions the bullying may have caused. Unresolved feelings around bullying can follow a child and affect their daily life for decades.