Summary:
Funston Elementary School is the sole school serving the city of Funston, Georgia, within the Colquitt County district, educating students in grades PK through 5 with an enrollment of 376 and a 12:1 student-teacher ratio.
Funston Elementary has undergone a remarkable academic turnaround, jumping from the 36th percentile statewide in 2023-2024 to the 70th percentile in 2025-2026, and earning a 4-star rating after two consecutive years at 2 stars. The school’s standout performance is in 5th grade mathematics, where 62.2% of students are proficient—roughly 18 percentage points above both district and state averages. Science scores also show explosive growth, with 5th grade proficiency rising from 36.8% to 52.8% in a single year, now exceeding the state average by 8.6 points. While 3rd grade math improved by 10.3 points year-over-year, 4th grade math remains a relative weakness at 49.0% proficiency, trailing the district by 7.5 points. Notably, the school maintains a chronic absenteeism rate of just 9.3%, far below the district’s 15.1% and the state’s 17.7%, despite 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Per-student spending is robust at $18,752, which may be fueling these gains.
For parents, this is a school that defies demographic expectations, achieving above-state-average results in upper elementary math and science while keeping students engaged and present. The dramatic improvements suggest effective instructional changes are taking hold, particularly in 5th grade. However, 4th grade math and last year’s English Language Arts scores (26.3% to 32.7% proficiency) indicate areas still needing attention. With ELA results for the current year pending release in December, families should watch whether the school’s upward trajectory extends to reading and writing. Overall, Funston Elementary offers a compelling option for families seeking a high-poverty school that is clearly moving in the right direction.
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