High Schools in Polk County

Polk County is home to two public high schools—Cedartown High School and Rockmart High School—serving grades 9–12 in a predominantly rural area of northwest Georgia.

Cedartown High School is the stronger academic performer, earning a 3-star rating and ranking 188th out of 455 Georgia high schools (59th percentile). It outperforms Rockmart High School in every tested subject, with particularly large gaps in Algebra I (45.9% vs. 31.9% proficient) and U.S. History (34.4% vs. 20.6%). Cedartown has also improved its state ranking over the past two years, climbing from 205th to 188th. However, it still trails the state average in Algebra I and U.S. History, while slightly exceeding it in Biology. Rockmart High School, by contrast, ranks 288th (37th percentile) and has slipped 44 positions since 2023–2024. Its proficiency rates lag the district and state in all subjects, with U.S. History being a particular concern at just 20.6% proficient.

Despite its lower test scores, Rockmart High School leads in graduation rate at 93.5%, compared to Cedartown’s 91.9%—both well above the state average of 87.2%. Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide issue, with Rockmart at 19.4% and Cedartown at 17.4%, both exceeding the district average of 15.7%. Interestingly, Rockmart spends $1,519 more per student ($12,572 vs. $11,053) and has a better student-teacher ratio (19.6:1 vs. 21.1:1), yet this does not translate into higher academic outcomes. Both schools serve predominantly low-income populations, with roughly 61–63% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. For parents, Cedartown offers stronger academics and a rising trajectory, while Rockmart excels at getting students to graduation despite academic challenges.