Elementary Schools in Heard County

Heard County, Georgia is home to three elementary schools—Heard Elementary School, Centralhatchee Elementary School, and Ephesus Elementary School—serving grades PK-5 within the Heard County district, which ranks in the 87th percentile statewide.

Centralhatchee Elementary School is the clear standout, ranking 90th out of 1,219 Georgia elementary schools (93rd percentile, 5 stars) and climbing from 133rd place in just two years. Its math proficiency rates are extraordinary—81% of 3rd graders and 82.4% of 4th graders are proficient, compared to state averages near 50%. The school also excels in 5th grade science at 67.8% proficiency, well above the state's 44.2%. This success is particularly notable given that nearly 98% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Heard Elementary School shows a mixed profile, ranking in the 56th percentile with strong 4th grade math (53.2%) and exceptional 5th grade science (64%), but lagging in 5th grade math at just 28.1%. Ephesus Elementary School has declined from the 73rd to 55th percentile, with concerning drops in 5th grade math (33.3%) and science (37%).

Resources alone don't explain performance—Centralhatchee spends the most per student ($16,014) with the lowest student-teacher ratio (10.4:1), but Ephesus has nearly identical resources yet performs far worse. All three schools keep chronic absenteeism below the state average of 17.7%, with Centralhatchee's rate at just 11.9%. The district could benefit from studying Centralhatchee's practices, as its high-poverty, high-achievement model proves economic disadvantage doesn't determine outcomes. Heard's 25-point gap between 4th and 5th grade math suggests transition issues worth investigating, while Ephesus's rapid decline in upper grades warrants attention to potential curriculum or staffing changes.