After AP investigation, Atlanta family of missing students enrolls in school

Tameka and her 8-year-old-daughter hang out outside of their apartment in Atlanta Oct. 2, 2023. Four months after The Associated Press wrote about this Atlanta family struggling to enroll in school, all of the children — in a complete turnaround — returned to class last month.. (AP Photo/Bianca Vázquez Toness, File)

Four months after The Associated Press wrote about an Atlanta family struggling to enroll in school, all of the children — in a complete turnaround — returned to class last month. The project on Monday was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

The youngest child, an energetic 8-year-old girl, had never attended school before. On her first day, she was greeted at her home by a half dozen children from around the apartment block, who escorted her to the bus stop, her mother said.

“I was most excited for her,” said Tameka. “My other children, they know what school’s like. I want that experience for her.”