Chattahoochee Elementary School

Chattahoochee Elementary School is a small, rural school in Chattahoochee, FL, serving 159 students from Pre-K through 5th grade in the Gadsden district, where over 87% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most exciting news for parents is the school's dramatic academic turnaround in the 2025-2026 school year. After years of struggling, Chattahoochee Elementary saw huge jumps in test scores, now outperforming the Gadsden district average in every subject and grade. For example, 4th-grade math proficiency soared from 14% to 71%, and 5th-grade science jumped from just 5% to 40%. This improvement is even more impressive when compared to nearby Stewart Street Elementary School, where scores remained flat or declined. The school also spends significantly more per student ($17,864) than high-performing Sneads Elementary School ($9,757) in the Jackson district, and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 14:1, allowing for more individualized attention.

However, parents should be aware that this success is recent and fragile. The school's history shows volatile test scores, and chronic absenteeism remains a critical problem at 42.3%—much higher than the state average of 31.4% and the Gadsden Elementary Magnet School rate of 32.2%. While the school has earned a 1-star rating after a 0-star rating the year prior, sustained improvement will depend on addressing attendance challenges. For context, Sneads Elementary School, just 6.4 miles away, has much higher test scores (70% vs. 45% in 3rd-grade ELA) and a lower poverty rate, highlighting the uphill battle Chattahoochee Elementary faces. Still, the recent gains are a promising sign for families looking for a school that is actively improving.