The public school system is under the leadership of an elected Board of Education, and until 1996, an elected Superintendent of Schools. Gilmer High School offers a full academic program as well as an extensive vocational education program. Also available to high school students is the Gilmer Christian Learning Center, which provides a non-denominational Christian ministry to teens, based on a concept known as released time for religious education. Competitive sports include basketball, football, wrestling, tennis, baseball, and track. In addition, students participate in District Literary meets, and many students are involved in band, chorus, and drama.
Student organizations offer additional opportunities to grow and learn.
The residents of Gilmer County have access to a variety of health services. The hospital also houses a clinic which offers a cardiologist, urologist, vascular surgeon, and gastroenterologist. Other services include physical therapy, podiatry, 24-hour certified surgeons, internists, orthopedists, family practitioners, and pediatricians. Ten doctors practice in the community, and three dentists, several optometrists and two chiropractic clinics. The local public health department offers various clinics, such as immunizations, family planning, cancer detection, blood pressure, and diabetes detection and control.