Diijon B. DaCosta Sr.

Keeping Our Scholars First

Re-Elect Diijon B. DaCosta Sr.

DeKalb County Board of Education – District 6

Meet Diijon B. DaCosta Sr.

BIO EDUCATION ADVOCACY

Diijon B. DaCosta Sr. is an elected member of the DeKalb County Board of Education representing District 6 and a proud product of DeKalb County Schools. A graduate of Redan High School, Class of 2005, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Criminology from Kennesaw State University and completed advanced education finance and public sector leadership training through Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

First elected in 2018, DaCosta has served eight years on the Board and has been entrusted with leadership roles including Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Policy Committee. A strong advocate for South DeKalb, he brings lived experience and professional expertise shaped by his work in public education operations and finance.

DaCosta is a consistent advocate for school system employees while keeping scholars at the center of every decision. His leadership prioritizes equity, access, transparency, and accountability to ensure every student—regardless of zip code—is prepared to learn, live, and lead with confidence and purpose.

DISTRICT VISION AND MISSION

Vision

Every student prepared to learn, live, and lead with confidence and purpose.

Mission

To ensure student success through rigorous instruction, strong relationships, and supportive learning environments.

Diijon B. DaCosta

Meet Diijon B. DaCosta Sr.

Diijon B. DaCosta Sr. is an elected member of the DeKalb County Board of Education representing District 6 and a proud product of DeKalb County Schools. A graduate of Redan High School, Class of 2005, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Criminology from Kennesaw State University and completed advanced education finance and public sector leadership training through Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

First elected in 2018, DaCosta has served eight years on the Board and has been entrusted with leadership roles including Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Policy Committee. A strong advocate for South DeKalb, he brings lived experience and professional expertise shaped by his work in public education operations and finance.

DaCosta is a consistent advocate for school system employees while keeping scholars at the center of every decision. His leadership prioritizes equity, access, transparency, and accountability to ensure every student—regardless of zip code—is prepared to learn, live, and lead with confidence and purpose.

Vision

Every student prepared to learn, live, and lead with confidence and purpose.

Mission

To ensure student success through rigorous instruction, strong relationships, and supportive learning environments.

LEADERSHIP ROLES & EXPERIENCE

Former Vice Chair

Former Board Chair

Founder, DeKalb Kids Project Inc.

Former Chair, Policy Committee

Elected Member, DeKalb County Board of Education – District 6

Regional Director, National Black Council of School Board Members (Southern Region)

Former public education operations and finance professional

Former Vice Chair

01 Former Board Chair

02 Founder, DeKalb Kids Project Inc.

03 Former Chair, Policy Committee

04 Elected Member, DeKalb County Board of Education – District 6

05 Regional Director, National Black Council of School Board Members (Southern Region)

06 Former public education operations and finance professional

07 Former Vice Chair

01 LEADERSHIP ROLES & EXPERIENCE

Former Vice Chair

Former Board Chair

Founder, DeKalb Kids Project Inc.

Former Chair, Policy Committee

Elected Member, DeKalb County Board of Education – District 6

Regional Director, National Black Council of School Board Members (Southern Region)

Former public education operations and finance professional

KEY GOVERNANCE & POLICY FOCUS

Student-centered governance
Equity-driven resource allocation
Policy modernization and compliance
Fiscal responsibility and transparency
Expansion of student programs and athletics
Advocacy for educators and staff
Community engagement and public access

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Guided Board leadership during major district transitions
Supported expansion of elementary and middle school athletics
Oversaw periods of record and near-record graduation rates
Supported growth in student scholarship opportunities
Advanced equity-focused policy initiatives in South DeKalb
Strengthened transparency and public access to Board work

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

County School Board Member of the Year – Georgia Association of Black County Officials
Building on the Legacy Award – The Atlanta Voice
Outstanding Alumnus Award – Kennesaw State University
Walmart Community Playmakers Award
Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the Year
National School Boards Association Partners Program Cohort

DISTRICT 6 SCHOOLS

E L Miller Elementary School
Hambrick Elementary School
Idlewood Elementary School
Princeton Elementary School
Redan Elementary School
Rock Chapel Elementary School
Rockbridge Elementary School
Shadow Rock Elementary School
Stephenson Elementary School
Stone Mill Elementary School
Stone Mountain Elementary School
Wynbrooke Theme Elementary School

Champion Theme Middle School
Stephenson Middle School
Stone Mountain Middle School
Freedom Middle School

Elizabeth Andrews High School
Stephenson High School
Stone Mountain High School

DeKalb Alternative School

DISTRICT 6 SCHOOL ACCOLADES

Academic growth

Literacy

Math

STEM

Arts

Athletics

Graduation

Scholarships

Grants

Partnerships

Freedom Middle School

DISTRICT 6 SCHOOL ACCOLADES

Academic growth

Literacy

Math

STEM

Arts

Athletics

Graduation

Scholarships

Grants

Partnerships

TRANSPARENCY & BOARD ACCESS

VOTER INFORMATION

SOCIAL MEDIA:

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Diijon B. DaCosta Sr. on social media to stay updated on District 6 schools, board leadership, community engagement, and important announcements. Join the conversation, see what’s happening across our schools, and stay informed about the work being done to keep scholars first.

PHOTOS AND COMMUNITY SECTION

School visits athletics graduations employee appreciation community events Board work

Public Leadership

Elected Member, DeKalb County Board of Education District 6
Former Chair, DeKalb County Board of Education
Former Chair, Audit Committee, DeKalb County Board of Education
Former Chair, Policy Committee, DeKalb County Board of Education
Regional Director, National Black Council of School Board Members Southern Region
School Board Partners Cohort II
Former Chair, Parks and Cultural Affairs Citizen Advisory Board, DeKalb County

Governance and Advocacy

Strategic oversight of a multi billion dollar public education budget serving more than 93,000 scholars
Oversight of Superintendent search selection and evaluation processes
Governance ensuring fiscal responsibility and maintenance of district fund balance standards
Policy development supporting equitable access to instructional resources across all schools
Advocacy for expansion of early childhood education opportunities
Advocacy for Lead Teachers for Special Education in every school
Support of district wide educator step increases

Support for literacy focused initiatives to improve reading outcomes
Advocacy for academic calendar adjustments addressing student and educator mental health
Community engagement through Student Assignment Project planning processes
Legislative and policy advocacy for equitable access to educational opportunities
Oversight of internal audit functions and financial transparency measures
Governance supporting teacher recruitment and retention initiatives resulting in historic low vacancies
Advocacy for CTAE and workforce readiness pathways for scholars

Professional Experience

Adjunct Professor, Atlanta Technical College
Instructor, Adult Education and Workforce Development Programs
Former Educator, DeKalb County School District
Classroom Instruction in Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence
Former Human Resources Division Employee, DeKalb County School District
Employee Onboarding and Talent Acquisition Support
Founder and Advisory Board Member, DeKalb Kids Project Inc.
Founder, My Brother’s Keeper Mentoring Initiative
Community Engagement and Youth Outreach Programming
Workforce Readiness and College Access Support for Students

Impact

Contributed to a 25 percent reduction in hiring timelines for certified and classified staff through onboarding process improvements in the DeKalb County School District
Increased GED graduation rates by 30 percent among incarcerated adult learners while serving as an Adjunct Instructor at Atlanta Technical College
Achieved a 90 percent high school graduation rate among DeKalb Kids Project student participants since 2015
Provided mentorship leadership development and college readiness support for young men through the My Brother’s Keeper mentoring initiative
Delivered instruction in Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence improving attendance and classroom engagement
Supported implementation of district wide literacy initiatives focused on improving reading outcomes for early learners
Community engagement with families stakeholders and school leadership teams across DeKalb County

Supported expansion of early childhood education opportunities across elementary schools
Advocated for placement of Lead Teachers for Special Education in every school to strengthen instructional support
Supported district wide educator step increases to improve retention
Advocated for academic calendar adjustments to support student and educator mental health
Supported policy initiatives focused on teacher recruitment and retention contributing to historic low vacancy rates
Engaged in Student Assignment Project planning to improve school utilization and program access
Supported CTAE program access to strengthen college and workforce readiness pathways for scholars
Oversight of financial governance practices maintaining district fund balance standards
Participated in Superintendent search and evaluation processes

Education

Bachelor of Science in Sociology with Concentration in Criminology, Kennesaw State University
Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Education Finance Certification
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections, Bauder College
Graduate, Redan High School

Honors and Recognitions

County School Board Member of the Year, Georgia Association of Black County Officials
Kennesaw State University 40 Under 40 Honoree
Kennesaw State University Outstanding Alumnus Award
Distinguished Alumni Award Nominee, Kennesaw State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Pinnacle Award for Education Advocacy
Treasure Hunt Award, Fine Tune Organization
Keep DeKalb Beautiful Community Award
Walmart Community Playmakers Award
Building on the Legacy Award
Community Leadership Award

Affiliations and Community

Eight years of progress. A future worth protecting.

Join me on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 PM at Fin and Feathers Stone Mountain, GA for my Re-Election Campaign Fundraiser Kickoff for the DeKalb County Board of Education.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

About SAP

Learn About the SAP Scenarios & Take the Survey

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) has embarked on a comprehensive and aligned Student Assignment Project (SAP) to reimagine DCSD as it relates to programs, boundaries, and buildings using more complete data analysis, with a cadence to review every five years to align with ESPLOST. This comprehensive planning process will help position ALL our students to Enroll, Employ, Engage in Entrepreneurship, and Enlist in the military upon graduation.

DCSD has fulfilled many necessary conditions to prepare for this new approach. This includes recent enrollment projections completed and certified each October, building capacities, program inventory, a comprehensive master plan, and several concentrated efforts to support families in specific clusters and neighborhoods.

To build on these efforts and data, it’s time to examine student assignments holistically relating to programs, boundaries, and buildings. We know this is a critical and necessary process in the longstanding effort to balance enrollment, provide access to high-quality education and programs, and ensure proper building use.

DCSD is committed to making well-informed, considerate decisions based on the data and input from the community.

We encourage you to explore our SAP Resource Hub to learn more!

GET INVOLVED

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