Marietta City Schools educates about 8,000 students with the City of Marietta in eight elementary schools, a sixth-grade academy, a middle schools and a high school. The school system and its schools have earned numerous awards and honors. Four schools have earned designation as a Georgia School of Excellence with one earning one as a National School of Excellence. The system is also an International Baccalaureate World School district, one of few offering the challenging curriculum from kindergarten through high school. The school district is one of Cobb County's largest employers with about 1,200 faculty, staff and other personnel. A seven-member Board of Education, elected by ward every four years, approve policy and direction of the school district. For day-to-day operations, the board appoints a school superintendent.