Summary:
Atlanta Heights Charter School is the sole school in the State Specialty Schools II- Atlanta Heights Charter School district, a K-8 charter school in Atlanta serving 663 students, all of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch.
This school has shown meaningful progress over the past three years, climbing from the 8th percentile in state rankings (2023-2024) to the 27th percentile (2025-2026). The most notable gains came in math, where 3rd grade proficiency jumped from 25.4% to 44.6% and 6th grade from 5.6% to 23.2% year-over-year. However, performance varies dramatically by grade level. In 2025-2026, 3rd graders nearly matched the state average in math (44.6% vs. 48.3%), but 5th graders fell to just 7.5% proficiency—a 37-point drop from 3rd grade. Middle school math remains a challenge, with 7th grade at 11.0% and 8th grade at 20.6% proficiency, both well below state averages. Science and social studies also lag, with 8th grade social studies at just 11.1% proficiency compared to the state's 40.2%.
A critical concern is chronic absenteeism, which stands at 42.3%—more than double the state average of 17.7%. With over two in five students missing significant instructional time, this likely contributes to the school's persistent achievement gaps. The school spends $18,539 per student, well above typical levels, yet outcomes remain below state averages in nearly every subject and grade. English Language Arts scores from 2024-2025 (the most recent available) show gaps of 8 to 28.8 points below state averages, with the largest deficits in middle grades. Despite these challenges, the school's upward trajectory in rankings and strong early-grade math gains suggest targeted interventions may be taking hold, making this a school worth watching in the coming years.
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