Calhoun was named a Silver Medal school in the "Best High Schools" category by U.S. News & World Report in 2009.[2]
The Calhoun debate team won the 2008-2009 state debate championship (AA).[3] The Calhoun teams combined for a 9–3 record against other finalists from single-A through triple-A schools, which gave them the AA division title.
Calhoun offers basketball, baseball, competition cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swim team, tennis, track, wrestling, and volleyball. Several teams, including softball, baseball, golf, football, track, and cheerleading, have won state championships. As of the 2024-2026 regional alignments by GHSA, Calhoun High School is in Georgia Region 7-AAA.[4] The team mascot (the Yellow Jacket) was chosen due to the school's proximity to the Georgia Institute of Technology. Each year Calhoun pays royalties of 1 US dollar to Georgia Tech for the use of the mascot and its likeness. Calhoun calls its mascot "Stinger" rather than "Buzz".
Football
Calhoun football home games are played at Phil Reeve Stadium on the school campus near downtown. The stadium is named for C.P. "Phil" Reeve, the guitar player and founding member of the Georgia Yellow Hammers, an early 20th-century "old-time" band from Gordon County.
The Jackets won their first football state title since the 1952 season in 2011 with a 27–24 overtime victory against Buford. The Yellow Jackets won 19 straight region titles (2001–2018) and made the Georgia State Football Playoffs every year from the 2000 season until the 2023 season.[5] In 2024, Calhoun won their fifth state title, defeating Jefferson 20–7, just one year after missing the playoffs.[6]
The Lady Jackets softball team has won four state championships (back-to-back-to-back, the only sport in Calhoun history to win three in a row).[citation needed]
2013 (AA), 2014 (AAA), 2015 (AAA), 2017 (AAA) . The Lady Jackets were State Runner-Ups in 1998, 2008, and 2016.[citation needed] The Lady Jackets have won region titles in 1987, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000,2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.[citation needed]
Cheerleading
Calhoun High School Competition Cheerleaders won state championships in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2014, while receiving state runner-up honors in 2004 and 2008.[citation needed]
Girls' golf
The Lady Jackets golf team has won back-to-back state championships in golf. (2015 AAA, 2016 AAA)[citation needed]