Summary:
Atlanta Unbound Academy is the sole school in the State Specialty Schools II- Atlanta Unbound Academy district, serving grades K-8 in College Park, Georgia, with 199 students and 100% qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
This small elementary and middle school is facing severe academic challenges. In the most recent state rankings, Atlanta Unbound Academy placed 1218 out of 1219 schools in Georgia, dropping from the 18th percentile two years ago to the 0th percentile today. The school received zero stars in its latest rating. Test scores reveal widespread underperformance: 3rd grade math proficiency is 0% (state: 48.3%), 5th grade science is 0% (state: 44.2%), and 8th grade social studies is 0% (state: 40.2%). Even the strongest subject, 8th grade math, shows only 9.1% proficiency compared to the state's 46.3%. English Language Arts (ELA) scores for the current year have not yet been released and will arrive in December.
A critical factor is chronic absenteeism: 57% of students are chronically absent, more than triple the state average of 17.7%. This means nearly 6 in 10 students are missing significant instructional time, which directly impacts learning. The school spends $18,843 per student—higher than many districts—and maintains a favorable 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio, yet these resources have not translated into academic gains. There is one notable bright spot: in the 2024-2025 school year, 8th grade ELA proficiency reached 42.9%, exceeding the state average of 39.8%. This shows the school can achieve grade-level performance in specific areas. For parents, this school requires urgent attention—addressing attendance and replicating successful strategies from the 8th grade ELA program will be essential to reversing the current trajectory.
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