In 2006 SWD was honored by the College Board as a model of excellence for AP class implementation. In 2009 school administrators reported that students were enrolled in AP courses in chemistry, biology, physics, calculus, English, European history, French, Spanish, government, U.S. history, world history, economics, statistics and psychology. In 2011 the school was one of 14 recognized nationally by the College Board for leading the nation in helping African American and/or Latino students to succeed on Advanced Placement exams. It was the only Georgia school to be honored.
Band
The SWD High School Band was the only marching band to perform in the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics. They were also featured in the hit movie Drumline in 2002; the movie used students from Southwest DeKalb High School band as well as from other DeKalb County high schools as extras. After the movie, record producerDallas Austin tapped the marching band for a sequel. 20th Century Fox was not interested in the production of a sequel, so instead Austin decided to produce a reality television show, Drumroll: SWD, which aired on Peachtree TV, a Turner Broadcasting Station. The band were invited to Italy for the Tournament of Roses parade. The SWD High School Band were also credited on Mariah Carey's album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angelon the track "Up Out My Face." The marching band were invited to perform in the movie . They also performed on season four of America's Got Talent. As well The Marching Panthers rival is Stephenson High School located in Stone Mountain Georgia, which is one of the south's most prestigious rivalries of all time
Athletics
The football team has won numerous region titles: 1972, 73, 77, 78, 81, 83, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90, 94, 96, 99, 00, 09, 2015. They won the Georgia AAA state championship in 1973 and the AAAA state championship in 1995. The SWD boys' track and field teams have won ten state titles, most recently in 2016, including national championships in 1996 and 2007. The SWD girls' track and field teams have won five state titles, in 1984, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011. The SWD wrestling also have seven state championships, including those won by Rock Yasin, Daquan Warner, and Gabe Echols. The SWD girls' basketball team won the Georgia 4A state championship in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and the 5A title in 2013 and in 2016. The SWD boys basketball team won the Georgia 5A region championship in 2003 and 2019, the 4A region title in 2011.
Marlon C. Williams - College football standout. 4-year starter at OLB for Georgia Tech. Freshman starter on GT's 1990 National Championship football team. SWD Hall of Fame
Steve Berry - Novelist & Bestselling Author and Attorney, publishing 14 novels, with 22,000,000 printed,
