Podcast 302 – What the Student Assignment Project Could Mean for Redistricting in Dunwoody – Andrew Ziffer – DCSD Board

DeKalb County’s Student Assignment Project could redraw school zones and close or combine schools across the district, and Dunwoody families want to know what it means for them. In Podcast 302, I sat down with DeKalb Board of Education District 1 member Andrew Ziffer to talk about the Student Assignment Project and the plan to add seating at Dunwoody High School’s stadium.

The Student Assignment Project (SAP) is DeKalb County School District’s review of school boundaries, programs, and buildings. It may redraw attendance zones and consolidate under-enrolled schools. For Dunwoody, the main issue is overcrowding, and any proposal goes through community input before a vote.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch the full episode above.

The Student Assignment Project: What’s Happening in DeKalb

The biggest story in this episode is the Student Assignment Project. DeKalb County Schools is working on redrawing boundaries and planning school closures to address under-enrollment and budget challenges. Closures are on the table. Ziffer emphasized that the conversation is about managing resources and making sure students are in schools that are fully supported.

For Dunwoody families, the Student Assignment Project means understanding how potential changes could affect attendance zones and feeder patterns. Families relocating to Dunwoody often choose their homes based on school assignments, so it’s crucial to stay informed. Residents are already worried that Chesnut Elementary and Vanderlyn Elementary could be among the schools considered for closure, which would directly affect many local families. Schools at risk of closure could impact surrounding neighborhoods, while schools with capacity challenges could see new resources directed their way. For Dunwoody High School, the challenge is not under-enrollment but overcrowding, which puts pressure on classrooms, facilities, and extracurricular spaces.

Student Assignment Project Essentials for Dunwoody Families

• What SAP is: The Student Assignment Project is a districtwide planning process that reviews programs, boundaries, and buildings using updated enrollment projections, building capacities, program inventories, and a comprehensive master plan. The goal is to balance enrollment, provide access to high-quality programs, and ensure proper building use.
• How often it happens: The district is adopting a five-year cadence for SAP reviews so boundary and building decisions align with ESPLOST planning cycles. This makes changes more predictable for families living in Dunwoody and moving to Dunwoody.
• What changes are on the table: Consolidating underutilized schools, combining two smaller schools into one larger, more efficient facility, and redrawing attendance zones cluster by cluster. In earlier public conversations, Dunwoody Elementary and Austin Elementary were noted as large, efficient campuses, while smaller campuses like Kingsley, Chesnut, and Vanderlyn have been discussed in the context of long-term consolidation scenarios. Any specific proposal would go through community input before decisions are finalized.
• How decisions will be made: SAP uses data (enrollment, capacity, and facility condition) layered with community feedback. The district has committed to making well‑informed, considerate decisions based on both numbers and public input. Families should follow the SAP resource hub and monthly updates to track timelines, public meetings, and drafts.
• What to watch in Dunwoody: Boundary adjustments and consolidation options could change feeder patterns into Peachtree Middle and Dunwoody High. Families in neighborhoods like Dunwoody North and Village Mill should stay engaged, especially if they are relocating to Dunwoody in the next few years and want certainty about attendance zones.

You can follow official updates on the DeKalb County School District website. For a breakdown of Dunwoody school zones, see my Dunwoody school districts guide.

How School Mergers Could Affect Living in Dunwoody

DeKalb County’s decision to close schools will primarily target areas with declining enrollment, but the ripple effects reach across the district. For families living in Dunwoody, the changes could mean boundary adjustments or reallocation of resources. Parents want reassurance that schools in Dunwoody, already considered some of the stronger options in DeKalb, will continue to receive investment and support.

The perception of school stability directly affects the Dunwoody real estate market. When families consider moving to Dunwoody, they look at school ratings, feeder patterns, and long-term district plans like the Student Assignment Project. Neighborhoods like Village Mill and Dunwoody North are especially attractive to parents who want stability and walkable communities.

Friday Night Lights and More Seating at Dunwoody High

Friday night football has always been a cornerstone of community spirit in Dunwoody, but Dunwoody High School has struggled with one major issue, limited bleacher seating. Currently, the school’s athletic facility doesn’t have enough space to host a true home football game for the entire community. To host true home varsity games, Dunwoody High needs seating for at least 3,000 people. Right now, the school falls short of that requirement, which is why all Dunwoody varsity football games have historically been played at North DeKalb Stadium instead of on campus.

Parents, alumni, and neighbors have asked for upgrades for years. Ziffer and I talked about how private funding could make expanded bleachers, a new press box, and permanent restrooms a reality, faster and with less red tape than a county-funded project.

At one point I asked whether Ryan Seacrest, one of Dunwoody High’s most famous alumni, might be the mystery donor. Ziffer wouldn’t confirm.

For over 10 years, Dunwoody families have been asking to use their own raised funds to help build out part of an athletic facility. However, DeKalb has consistently wanted to divide up that money with the entire county instead of letting Dunwoody reinvest directly into its own improvements. This ongoing frustration has fueled even more community support for a privately funded solution.

For families living in nearby Dunwoody neighborhoods like Vermack Ridge and Dunwoody West, the upgrades aren’t just about football. They’re about a place where the community can gather, celebrate, and create memories. Expanded bleachers, a new press box, and modern restrooms would mean more opportunities for youth sports, band competitions, and neighborhood events right in the heart of Dunwoody.

What Will Be Built at Dunwoody High?

The scope is targeted and practical. This is not a full stadium; it is a focused set of athletic facility upgrades that make home games possible while keeping the footprint and weekly use essentially the same.

• Seating: The bleachers expansion is designed to bring total capacity to roughly 3,000 spectators so Dunwoody can host true home varsity football games. The goal is to accommodate students, parents, band families, and community members who currently cannot all fit in the existing seating.
• Press box: A modest press box is planned to support game operations, coaches, film crews, and media. This is an essential element for running varsity events smoothly and safely, and it will also support other field activities throughout the year.
• Bathrooms: Permanent restrooms are included so that fans and visiting bands have adequate facilities on site. This upgrade improves accessibility and the overall experience for students and families at football, soccer, lacrosse, and community events.
• Minimal neighborhood impact: According to Ziffer, everything at the field stays the same outside of a few Friday nights each fall. Expect about five home football games per year. During those nights, overflow parking can utilize nearby church lots, Dunwoody Elementary, and limited on-street parking in front of the school. Noise levels outside of those events should be unchanged from current use patterns.
• Who is organizing and funding this: The Dunwoody Wildcat Foundation is taking the lead, with a local volunteer from the construction industry spearheading logistics. Two major donors are already committed, and additional community giving is expected. The DeKalb Board of Education recently approved the approach, clearing the way for a privately funded path.
• Why private funding: For over a decade, Dunwoody families have tried to direct locally raised funds into on-campus improvements. A private fundraising model allows Dunwoody to invest directly in upgrades that benefit local students while still aligning with district processes and approvals.
• Timeline and next steps: With approvals in place and private fundraising underway, the work sequence will include final design, permitting, procurement, and construction. Community members should watch for updates from the Wildcat Foundation about milestones and giving opportunities.

Recent developments: At the September 2025 DeKalb County School District Board Meeting, the board voted 5-2 to allow Dunwoody High School to add 2,000 more spectator seats and a press box, funded by donations specifically raised for this purpose.

Combined with the 1,000 seats already in place, this expansion will give the school the 3,000-seat capacity required by GHSA to host true home varsity football games. According to community reports, key figures include Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton, board member Andrew Ziffer, an anonymous real estate developer with children at local schools, and a Dunwoody High alumnus who has agreed to provide a major donation. Construction planning is now moving forward, with a potential target of hosting on-campus varsity home games as early as fall 2027.

History of the Game On Campaign

This latest push builds on more than a decade of community-driven efforts. In 2014, a devoted group of Dunwoody High School parents and alumni launched the Game On Campaign with the goal of raising $2 million for athletic improvements. Their ambitious vision included a multi-sport artificial turf field, resurfaced track, outdoor lighting for softball and multi-use fields, spectator seating, and a field house with restrooms, concessions, locker rooms, and a weight room, along with a maintenance fund to sustain the facilities.

Over the years, many of those goals were achieved through a mix of private fundraising and DeKalb County contributions. Dunwoody High now has an artificial turf field, a resurfaced track, energy-efficient field lighting, 1,000 spectator seats, and a portable trailer providing three restrooms. One memorable moment from that campaign came when the new field lights were first turned on, residents described the experience as a community milestone and a visible symbol of what local commitment could accomplish.

The current seating and press box expansion represents the next chapter in this long-running story. For families who supported the Game On Campaign, this new initiative shows that persistence pays off, and Dunwoody’s vision of a true home-field experience is finally within reach.

Andrew Ziffer’s Role on the Board

As the District 1 representative, Andrew Ziffer brings both personal motivation and professional perspective to his role on the school board. He’s open about the challenges facing DeKalb County Schools, from poverty and graduation rates in the southern part of the district to overcrowding in the north. His goal is to ensure all students have opportunities for success while advocating for the needs of his constituents in Dunwoody.

Ziffer also encourages parents to reach out directly when they encounter issues in their child’s school. Whether it’s a facilities concern, academic challenge, or extracurricular need, he believes the first step is clear communication. For families navigating the system, having a direct line to their board representative can make a real difference.

What the Student Assignment Project Means for Dunwoody Real Estate

Schools are one of the biggest drivers of real estate decisions. When parents evaluate homes for sale in Dunwoody, they often weigh the reputation and stability of local schools just as much as the size of the backyard or proximity to restaurants. A well-funded, well-planned Dunwoody High School, with bleachers expansion and stable feeder schools, makes the community even more appealing.

As a Dunwoody REALTOR®, I find that families moving to Dunwoody often ask about school zoning before anything else. With the Student Assignment Project underway, clear communication matters. Strong schools, Brook Run Park, dining in Dunwoody Village, and family-friendly neighborhoods keep Dunwoody high on relocation lists. If you are relocating and want help with neighborhoods and school maps, reach out.

My Take: Stay engaged. Go to board meetings, read the drafts, and let Andrew Ziffer hear from you before decisions are made.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Student Assignment Project

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