Fulton County Schools transform learning experiences with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat

Fulton County Schools (FCS) is the fourth largest school system in Georgia with more than 10,900 employees, serving nearly 87,000 students  across 104 schools.

FCS is known for its commitment to student achievement and continuous improvement, earning state and national recognition. With this commitment in mind, FCS found that traditional education models struggled to keep pace with rapid advancements in technology, leaving students underprepared for future careers. This gap was particularly evident in fields like computer science, where industry standards evolve faster than curricula can adapt.

But for FCS, AI isn’t just about keeping students competitive—it’s about challenging them to do more and empowering them to turn their ideas into reality. Students aren’t just learning how to use AI; they’re leveraging it to push past limitations, break down complex challenges, and bring ambitious projects to life.

"If you take traditional computer science, we were years behind the industry,” says Dr. Joe Phillips, Chief Information Officer with Fulton County Schools. “Now add AI, which is exploding into everything, and we knew we had to get in front of it. We want AI to be as familiar as a textbook or a laptop—an everyday tool that enhances teaching and learning. Students have to be skilled in how to use technology properly before they ever get to college."

To help students stay competitive in college and beyond, FCS realized that both students and staff needed proficiency and support in AI. Their goal: create more personalized, engaging learning experiences while reducing administrative workloads. The district also prioritized a structured and protective environment to ensure data security and trust in AI adoption.

FCS formed an AI task force to evaluate over 200 potential use cases for AI in education. After thorough evaluation, the district decided to join a preview for students 13 and older for Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat due to its security, reliability, and seamless integration within FCS’s existing Microsoft ecosystem.

Implementing a structured approach to AI

When Copilot Chat was introduced, the first step was equipping educators and staff with the knowledge to use it effectively. Training sessions were held to ensure educators felt confident integrating AI into their classrooms, not just as a tool, but as a thought partner for students.

“I always want to grow as an educator, and give my students more nuggets of knowledge,” says Dr . Steve Sweigart, Engineering Instructor at Fulton County Schools. “And Copilot Chat has allowed me to do that, securely and safely in the classroom. And it's making it a lot of fun in the process!”

With a solid foundation in place, the next challenge was weaving Copilot Chat into the curriculum. Educators aligned AI capabilities with learning objectives to tackle complex subjects, enhance problem-solving, and support personalized learning.

Throughout the process, data privacy and security remained a top priority. Safeguards were put in place to protect student information, ensuring that Copilot Chat could be used in a measured and responsible way.  

"Copilot Chat allowed us to explore AI within a safe environment,” explains Dr. Phillips. “We're able to make sure we have the guardrails in place for our students, our educators, and our staff. It’s not about automation; it’s about equity—giving every student the opportunity to learn in a way that works best for them.”

Bridging the gap between ideas and execution

FCS’ Johns Creek High School has a diverse student body of approximately 1,800. The school’s career tech department provides students with training they’ll need to thrive in the modern workplace.

“When the school rolled out Copilot Chat as our official AI tool for students, I thought it was really forward thinking,” says Jayson  Gonzalez, senior at Johns Creek High School. “Before, I had to limit my ideas to whatever I was sure I could do. Now I can push past those limitations, break down complex challenges step-by-step, and apply new concepts in a way that makes sense. It helps me bridge the gap between ideas and execution. It’s not just about helping me build something—it’s about expanding what I believe is possible.”

Gonzalez used Copilot Chat to design a smart mobility cane with IoT capabilities, explore new coding languages, troubleshoot design constraints, and even consider where to go for college.  

“Copilot Chat isn’t just about finding answers; it challenges me to think critically, explore multiple solutions to a problem, ask better questions, and refine my thought process. It’s helping me to be the best version of myself, both in my schoolwork and in my personal life,” says Gonzalez.

Empowering students to tackle complex challenges with confidence

Using AI responsibly is essential in education, ensuring students develop critical thinking and digital literacy while maintaining data security and fairness. FCS’s integration of Copilot Chat demonstrates this approach by providing students with a disciplined environment to explore AI while learning about responsible usage. By prioritizing thoughtful implementation, FCS fosters inclusivity and prepares students for an AI-driven future.  

“AI is evolving rapidly, and learning how to use it responsibly now will give me a huge advantage,” says Pragya Modgil, a junior at Johns Creek High School. “Our school’s approach is helping us build a strong foundation in ethical AI use, giving me a leg up in college and in how to use AI responsibly in my future career."

FCS students are using Copilot Chat to conduct research, create multimedia projects, such as podcasts on historical events, help with coding challenges, 3D modeling, design ideation, time management, academic planning, and accessible technology.

“We use Copilot Chat as a brainstorming partner to ideate, but not to actually do our work for us,” explains Modgil. “It helps us collaborate and expand our creativity to think of more ambitious ideas.”

Modgil used Copilot Chat in her computer science class to help build a system that connects a running accelerometer to a front-end user interface. “Copilot Chat allows me to integrate my passions into my classroom work,” Modgil says. “I run for my high school's cross country and track team. I thought it would be cool to bring this passion into my computer science class. And Copilot Chat helps me do just that!”

Johns Creek High School AP Computer Science teacher Dr. Raymond Schenk sees Copilot Chat as levelling the playing field in his classes, helping students new to coding feel more confident in their capabilities. “There can be some apprehension with coding until students realize that, yes, they really can do this!” says Schenk. “Then, all of a sudden, they light up! I have seen this happen again and again with Copilot Chat."

Modgil agrees. “When I first started coding, I felt intimidated, especially as one of the few girls in my class. I was sometimes nervous to ask for help, but now—with Copilot Chat—I really see potential for it to level the playing field in computer science—and in all subjects—providing another way for students to get help and feel empowered without worrying if they're being judged. Now, instead of waiting for help, I can troubleshoot on my own, which has made me more independent in my learning.”

Reducing workload, boosting learning, and empowering future leaders

Educators and administrators at FCS are also utilizing Copilot Chat for lesson planning, student reports, and action plans, as well as streamlining facility maintenance and capital planning. For example, FCS fed facility condition assessments for all of its buildings into Copilot Chat, with the tool helping staff to create a prioritization list for the district's long-term capital plan. Copilot Chat condensed a process that typically takes nine to 11 months into something taking only two or three days.  

“It is absolutely making my job easier,” says Dr. Schenk. “If a student doesn’t fully understand something, they can spend five minutes with Copilot Chat and have it explained to them. This allows me to spend my time teaching the bigger concepts, in a shorter amount of time. My students are accelerating their learning. They are gaining confidence. Copilot Chat is a force multiplier. And it meets every student exactly where they are.”

Dr. Sweigart also finds it easier to accomplish greater things in the classroom. “I challenge my students more now than ever because of Copilot Chat in the classroom,” he says. “They're able to come up with multiple solutions to problems and solve those problems faster, creating better projects in the same amount of time."

Leveraging AI to create inclusive, future-ready classrooms

FCS’ pilot of Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat has empowered educators by reducing administrative burdens so they can focus on what truly matters: engaging and inspiring students. For students, it acts as a thought partner, helping them tackle complex problems, explore new ideas, and turn ambitious projects into reality. Beyond just saving time, Copilot Chat helps students engage more deeply and maximize their potential, providing educators with renewed excitement. The result is a learning environment where curiosity thrives, creativity flourishes, and AI enhances, rather than replaces, human potential.

“I'm always trying to figure out what that future might look like,” says Dr. Schenk. “I want my students to harness the power of Copilot Chat to explore and become inventive programmers, so that—one day—they can own their own companies. How? Because they had the vision to apply computer science to a world that desperately needs it.”