Cook County

Cook County Schools in Georgia serves approximately 2,979 students across four public schools—Cook Primary School (PK-2), Cook Elementary School (3-5), Cook County Middle School (6-8), and Cook High School (9-12)—in a predominantly low-income area where both elementary schools report 100% free/reduced lunch eligibility.

The standout performer is Cook County Middle School, which posts extraordinary Algebra I results at 96.6% proficiency—nearly double the state average—and also beats state averages in 8th-grade math and science. It has the district's lowest chronic absenteeism rate (15.0%). Meanwhile, Cook High School shows dramatic improvement, jumping from the 59th to 78th percentile in one year to earn a 4-star rating, with a 98.5% graduation rate that exceeds the state by 11.3 points. However, Cook Elementary School is the district's weakest link, with math proficiency declining sharply from 51.8% in 3rd grade to just 23.2% in 5th grade—nearly 21 points below the state average. Cook Primary School receives the highest per-student funding ($16,281) but faces similar poverty challenges.

Key takeaways for parents: the middle school's math acceleration program is exceptional, but the elementary math decline is a serious concern that could impact future results. The high school's turnaround is impressive, though US History scores dropped and American Literature remains below state averages. Chronic absenteeism is a mixed picture—the middle school excels while the high school exceeds state averages at 20.0%. All schools maintain favorable student-teacher ratios between 12.3:1 and 13.4:1. The district overall ranks 74th of 201 Georgia districts with a 3-star rating, reflecting strong middle and high school performance weighed against elementary struggles.