Summary:
Jefferson City is home to two elementary schools—Jefferson Elementary School (grades PK–2) and Jefferson Academy (grades 3–5)—that together form a seamless, high-performing feeder system for roughly 1,946 students in a district ranked 5th out of 201 in Georgia (98th percentile, 5 stars).
Both schools are standout performers, but they shine in different ways. Jefferson Elementary School is the larger campus (1,011 students) and invests the most per student at $13,649, with a favorable 13.1:1 student–teacher ratio and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 7.0%—less than half the state average. Jefferson Academy (935 students) is the only school with test data, and it delivers exceptional results. In 2025–2026, math proficiency ranged from 70% to 73.5% across grades 3–5, outpacing state averages by roughly 25–29 points. Science proficiency (63.7% in 5th grade) also beat the state by nearly 20 points. While ELA scores from 2024–2025 showed a steady climb from 45.3% (3rd) to 61.8% (5th), all still exceeded state averages. The one area to watch is 4th-grade math, which dipped 4.2 points year-over-year, though it remains far above state norms.
Families will find a stable, relatively affluent community here—about 30–31% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, and chronic absenteeism hovers around 7% at both schools, roughly 10 points below the state. The district clearly prioritizes early grades, spending $2,473 more per student at Jefferson Elementary School than at Jefferson Academy, likely building strong foundations before students transition. Jefferson Academy’s state ranking has fluctuated (107th → 150th → 124th), but it consistently lands in the top 12% of Georgia elementary schools. Overall, this Jefferson City feeder system offers exceptional academics, strong attendance, and well-targeted resources—an excellent choice for elementary education.
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