How it works

Healthy Students – Safe, Open Schools

Signing up for the Georgia K-12 testing program is easier than 1, 2, 3!

Across Georgia, our dedicated educators have gone above and beyond during the hardest part of the pandemic thus far, teaching virtually when needed and coming back strong to help our students return to the classroom in a safe setting.

In addition to safety protocols and vaccination options, it’s still important to test for COVID-19 because the pandemic is still a threat. This is especially true in large group settings such as schools..

School District Opt In

Our aim is to maximize resources available to schools and minimize added responsibilities to existing school staff!

School districts play a critical role in keeping students and educators safe. The Georgia DPH encourages school district leaders to enroll their schools in the K-12 testing program to limit COVID-19 outbreaks and maintain a safer learning environment.

How to Opt In

In order to enroll, you will need to complete this spreadsheet (download .xls file). The Spreadsheet has four tabs:

Instructions — this tab will detail the requested items on the District Info and School List tabs
District Info — required information about the school district – if this is for a single school (i.e. NOT part of a school district, then just enter “N/A” for the District Name – be sure to click on Row #3 (the yellow row) to enter your data.
School Name – this is the tab where you will list all schools in the district that will be enrolling in this program. Please ONLY list the ones that are definitely enrolling in the COVID-19 testing program – you can always add more schools later if needed.
County List – this is just for the drop-down choices – you do not need to do anything with this tab
NOTE: To search for your district and school NCES ID, please visit: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/ (link opens in new tab)

After completing the spreadsheet, email the completed spreadsheet as an attachment (please do NOT send the file as a link to SharePoint or other site) to covid-k12-testing@dph.ga.gov

Parents/Educators Opt In

Once school districts agree to offer testing, parents can register their students in an easy, online process that is completely secure and confidential.

MAKO will provide rapid, reliable COVID-19 testing options chosen by the individual school district for all students and educators who opt-in to testing.

Get Info Now

Students Tested – Results Delivered!

Each week professional health care providers will come to your schools and test students and staff. They will use an anterior nares nasal swab test that is quick and accurate. This is NOT the test that tickles the brain, instead we just swab shallow in the nostril.

Here is a video of a recent testing event!

Reliable Results

COVID-19 PCR testing is the gold standard test. With a simple anterior nares collection method, that simply tickles the nostril, MAKO can quickly and accurately determine if you have COVID-19. This test provides the highest sensitivity, accuracy, and specificity with fast results.

Results

Results are available in 24 hours or less via text message or email. Real-time reporting is shared directly with schools to allow for quick follow ups on results.

That’s it! Easy COVID-19 testing = safe students and open schools. We hope you’ll tell others so they sign up too!