Elementary Schools in Crisp County

Crisp County is home to two elementary schools—Crisp County Primary School (grades K-3, 964 students) and Crisp County Elementary School (grades 4-5, 439 students)—serving a combined 1,403 students in a district ranked in the bottom 8% of Georgia school systems, with every student qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Comparing the two campuses reveals a clear split in performance and attendance. Crisp County Primary School posts a 30.5% math proficiency rate for 3rd graders, matching the district average but trailing the state by nearly 18 points. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 29.0% is a major concern—more than 11 points above the state average and 10.8 points higher than the upper elementary campus. In contrast, Crisp County Elementary School shows stronger attendance (18.2% chronic absenteeism, nearly at the state rate of 17.7%) and delivered the district’s most encouraging academic news: 4th grade math proficiency jumped from 19.7% to 27.2% year-over-year, a 7.5-point gain. However, 5th grade results remain weak, with math at 20.5% and science at 21.8%—both roughly 23 points below state averages.

The data reveals a troubling pattern: math proficiency declines as students advance, from 30.5% in 3rd grade to 27.2% in 4th and 20.5% in 5th, suggesting cumulative learning gaps or transition challenges between campuses. Both schools spend generously—$15,832 and $17,769 per student—yet outcomes remain roughly half of state proficiency levels, raising questions about resource effectiveness. The bright spots are the 4th grade turnaround and the upper elementary school’s better attendance, indicating targeted interventions can work. For parents, the priorities are clear: address early absenteeism at the primary level and focus on sustaining the 4th grade momentum while tackling the 5th grade slide in both math and science.