Summary:
Thomaston-Upson County is home to two elementary schools—Upson-Lee Primary School (grades PK-2) and Upson-Lee Elementary School (grades 3-5)—serving roughly 1,925 students in a district where every elementary student qualifies for free or reduced lunch.
When comparing the two schools, Upson-Lee Elementary School stands out as the stronger performer, earning a 3-star rating in the most recent year and ranking in the 51st percentile statewide—well above the district’s overall 2-star rating. Its 5th graders actually exceeded the state average in math (47.6% proficient vs. 44.1% statewide), and the school showed a nearly 7-point jump in 5th grade math proficiency from the prior year. The school also keeps chronic absenteeism low at 13.1%, beating both the district (19.3%) and state (17.7%) averages. Meanwhile, Upson-Lee Primary School invests more per student ($16,267 vs. $12,615) and maintains smaller class sizes (13.2:1 vs. 15:1), which is typical for early childhood programs. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 16.3% is also better than the district average, though slightly above the state.
A clear pattern emerges across grade levels: math proficiency improves relative to state averages as students advance. Third graders lag the state by 13.3 points, 4th graders by 6.5 points, and 5th graders surpass it. Science scores remain stable and near the state average. However, English Language Arts (ELA) remains a challenge—2024-2025 data showed only 23.6% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA, nearly 11 points below the state. While current ELA scores are not yet released, the district’s 2-star rating masks the elementary school’s recent success. For parents, Upson-Lee Elementary School offers strong upper-grade math and attendance, while Upson-Lee Primary School provides a well-funded, small-class foundation for younger learners.
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