Elementary Schools in Cook County

Cook County, Georgia is home to two elementary schools—Cook Primary School (grades PK-2) and Cook Elementary School (grades 3-5)—serving roughly 1,444 students in a district ranked 74th out of 201 in the state.

Both schools serve a student population where 100% qualify for free or reduced lunch, making the academic results particularly noteworthy. Cook Primary School is the larger campus with 778 students and spends significantly more per student ($16,281) compared to Cook Elementary School ($12,840), despite having nearly identical student-teacher ratios (12.5:1 vs. 12.3:1). Both schools post chronic absenteeism rates below the state average of 17.7%, with Cook Elementary at 15.7% and Cook Primary at 16.7%.

The standout finding is a clear performance decline as students advance. In math, 3rd graders at Cook Elementary School achieved 51.8% proficiency—above the state average of 48.3%—but proficiency drops sharply to 35.6% in 4th grade and just 23.2% in 5th grade (state: 44.1%). Science scores for 5th graders also lag at 33.9% versus the state's 44.2%. Year-over-year, 3rd grade math improved by nearly 10 points, while 5th grade math fell by 8.2 points and science dropped by 7.5 points. The school's statewide ranking has slipped from the 44th to the 38th percentile over three years. The strong 3rd-grade performance suggests solid foundational instruction at Cook Primary School, but the steady decline through 5th grade—combined with the significant spending gap between the two schools—points to middle-grade instruction and transition supports as key areas for improvement within the Cook County district.