Atlanta ( CNN ) -- Students at a school outside Atlanta were in hot water Wednesday after they reportedly hung a banner from their school 's roof that read , `` N -- -a We Made It . '' The sign at South Forsyth High School may have been meant to celebrate graduation , but struck many as offensive . `` This morning , without our knowledge , students placed a derogatory sign with a verse from a song by Drake on our school as a senior prank , '' Principal Jeff Cheney said in a note to parents , referring to the rapper Drake . `` We removed it as soon as it was brought to our attention and deeply apologize for their behavior . This is unacceptable , and I promise you that the students will receive the appropriate consequences for their actions , '' the principal said . Susan Newsome , a parent of a student at the school in Cumming , Georgia , said she first heard about the banner from the principal 's e-mail . `` South Forsyth has a very diverse population , so I was surprised and disappointed to hear that some students would think this banner was acceptable . It 's hard to know the intentions behind the actions of these students , but I ca n't help but think that they knew it would cause controversy , '' she said . More than 70 % of the student population at South Forsyth High School is white , while more than 10 % is Hispanic , 12 % is Asian and less than 5 % is black , according to school statistics . `` Hopefully the actions today have initiated a lot of dinner conversation about how senior pranks should be lighthearted and clever , not mean-spirited and destructive , '' Newsome added . According to CNN affiliate WSB , the banner was n't the only prank seniors pulled at the school . Students also reportedly turned a hallway into a slip and slide and put a for-sale sign on Cheney 's car . The principal told the affiliate that some pranks are fun , while others are just not acceptable . `` There 's many things I can live with , but the banner was what most offended me and our school . Even though it 's a popular song lyric that you appreciate and like does n't mean the whole world and our society in general are going to appreciate that , '' Cheney said . Georgia school hosts first racially integrated prom . CNN 's Haimy Assefa contributed to this report .
The sign at South Forsyth High School struck many as offensive . School officials quickly took it down . A few days later, the school board voted to remove a plaque honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from its front lawn.