These Are The Best Elementary, Middle Schools In GA, New Ranking Says

GEORGIA — At least 1,800 elementary schools and 1,074 middle schools in Georgia are included among the best in the country, according to new rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The news outlet based its 2024 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education, focusing on student proficiency in core subject areas.

In Georgia, the top 10 elementary schools are:

• Kittredge Magnet School - East Atlanta
• Britt David Elementary Computer Magnet Academy - Columbus
• Daves Creek Elementary School - Cumming
• Big Creek Elementary School - Cumming
• Johns Creek Elementary School - Suwanee
• Simpson Elementary School - Peachtree Corners
• Brookwood Elementary School - Cumming
• Fairyland Elementary School - Lookout Mountain
• Level Creek Elementary School - Suwanee
• Marietta Center for Advanced Academics - Marietta

The top 10 middle schools in Georgia are:

• Dickerson Middle School - Marietta
• Riverwatch Middle School - Suwanee
• Dodgen Middle School - Marietta
• South Forsyth Middle School - Cumming
• River Trail Middle School - Duluth
• Rising Starr Middle School - Fayetteville
• International Charter School of Atlanta - Roswell
• Davidson Magnet School - Augusta
• Bremen Middle School - Bremen
• Piney Grove Middle School - Cumming

The U.S. News list includes data on more than 79,000 public elementary and middle schools nationwide.

In the analysis, U.S. News looked closely at state assessment of students who were proficient or above-proficient in mathematics and reading/language arts, while also accounting for student backgrounds, achievement in core subjects, and how well schools are educating their students. Student-teacher ratios are applied to break ties in the overall score.

LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, said the state and district-level rankings are intended to give parents a snapshot of their child’s school and how well it’s doing within its community.

“Easily accessible data on student-teacher ratio, district spending, and the number of school counselors available at the school can keep parents informed and involved,” Jones said.

To be included in district-level rankings, at least two of the top performing schools must rank in the top 75 percent of the overall elementary or middle school rankings to qualify for district-level recognition.