Benjamin E. Mays High School

Summary:

Benjamin E. Mays High School is a public high school in Atlanta, Georgia, serving 1,337 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Atlanta Public Schools district, which is ranked 149 out of 203 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Over the past 10 years, Benjamin E. Mays High School has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Georgia high schools, with a ranking between 328 and 399 out of 420-458 schools.

The school faces significant challenges, with a 100% free and reduced lunch rate indicating a high-poverty student population. Its performance on the Georgia Milestones assessments is significantly below state and district averages across all subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 14% of students were proficient or better in American Literature and Composition, compared to 42% statewide and 31.3% in the Atlanta Public Schools district. The school's four-year graduation rates have fluctuated between 71.1% and 84.1% over the past 5 years, lagging behind the state average of 83.7%.

When compared to other high schools in the Atlanta Public Schools district and the nearby Fulton County district, Benjamin E. Mays High School consistently underperforms on key metrics such as test scores and graduation rates. For example, Westlake High School in Fulton County outperforms Benjamin E. Mays High School across all subject areas on the Georgia Milestones assessments.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 3450 Benjamin E Mays Dr SW
       Atlanta, GA  30331


(404) 802-5100

District: Atlanta Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
370th of 458 Georgia High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,660 Help


Feeder schools for Benjamin E. Mays High School:

Elementary:    Beecher Hills Elementary School
    Cascade Elementary School
    Miles Elementary School
    Peyton Forest Elementary School
    More...
Middle:    Jean Childs Young Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.1 Help
Number of students:  1,363

Racial breakdown:

African American:
92.1%
Hispanic:
6.8%
Two or more races:
0.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  82.6% Help


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 Compare Benjamin E. Mays High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Benjamin E. Mays High School ranks worse than 80.8% of high schools in Georgia. It also ranks 7th among 15 ranked high schools in the Atlanta Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.52. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Benjamin E. Mays High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (92.1%), Hispanic (6.8%), two or more races (0.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 82.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Benjamin E. Mays High School is 12.1, which is the 5th best among 15 high schools in the Atlanta Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Benjamin E. Mays High School employs 112 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Benjamin E. Mays High School is $15,660. 10 high schools in the Atlanta Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Benjamin E. Mays High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Benjamin E. Mays High School 370th of 458 Georgia public high schools. (See Benjamin E. Mays High School in the ranking list.)

Atlanta Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Atlanta Public Schools 149th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools GA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 44.38 206th 335 38.5%
2007 45.19 211th 358 41.1%
2008 39.24 251st 370 32.2%
2009 40.50 257th 372 30.9%
2010 43.27 240th 384 37.5%
2011 36.42 295th 402 26.6%
2012 32.54 296th 396 25.3%
2013 25.17 353rd 425 16.9%
2014 24.07 363rd 425 14.6%
2015 25.29 328th 435 24.6%
2016 20.77 341st 426 20.0%
2017 15.42 360th 420 14.3%
2018 12.32 381st 428 11.0%
2019 11.20 390th 438 11.0%
2021 18.52 339th 410 17.3%
2022 10.09 395th 429 7.9%
2023 12.27 399th 442 9.7%
2024 18.52 370th 458 19.2%
See the entire list of Georgia High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Benjamin E. Mays High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    



Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Open Quote Such an awful school. terrible teachers, terrible students that are just out of hand and terrible environment in a whole, period. And im not very sure how mays was in the past, but i know its present and definite future is tragic. Very glad i pulled my son out of it. My son was in BEA and was very focused on his work (during this time he was in the 9th grade).

i constantly (about 2 times every 2 weeks going at the school for meetings and/or just online emailing the school to stay caught up with my son) talked and talked and pulled all my attention on this school for my son. His grades were succeeding and everything was going fine with his school work. And you see, thats the thing.

HIS grades were fine, HIS mind was set and his want to be a good student was key. But NOT THE SCHOOL!!!! This school is VERY unfit for a learning habitat. My son could hardly focus on his work with all of the chaos. From his words "I basically had to FORCE teachers to teach" which was what he told me one day after school. And him pushing through to still succeed was a struggle. and not a good one.

There are some amount of cases of this school within news reports, using gang signs, kids bringing in guns, teachers punching students and one of the teachers having an affair with a middle school principal who sold or did some type of drugs with her.

I think almost everyday my child came back from mays, there was always a story about somebody fighting or somebody getting into a "big argument". And dont even get me started with the teachers/staff members. SUCH bad and unwelcoming attitudes. As if they dont even want you to be there. And it is so easily read within their facial expressions and body energy. Giving themselves and the school such a bad name.

Please do better mays. Become more organized and more well constructed because if not, one day this school just migght be shut down for its messups. Thank you. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, November 29, 2013

Open Quote Great legacy. Dedicated and nurturing staff. Focus on career and college. Beautiful school. I am happy with the instruction, staff and students. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1510 1510
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 1367 1367
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1329 1329
1993 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1296 1296
1994 5 1357 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 1366
1995 6 1398 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1404
1996 6 1398 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1404
1997 3 1440 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1444
1998 3 1451 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1457
1999 2 1395 3 0 1 n/a n/a 0 1401
2000 3 1376 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 1383
2001 6 1374 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 1386
2002 1 1702 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 1710
2003 1 1702 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 1710
2004 2 1736 1 9 0 n/a n/a 0 1748
2005 1 1804 1 15 0 n/a n/a 3 1824
2006 2 1831 1 24 0 n/a n/a 2 1860
2007 1 1739 0 25 0 n/a n/a 5 1770
2008 3 1703 0 28 0 n/a n/a 6 1740
2009 2 1708 2 32 0 n/a n/a 8 1752
2010 4 1718 1 42 0 0 6 0 1771
2011 2 1467 1 43 0 1 4 0 1518
2012 0 1385 3 37 0 0 4 0 1429
2013 0 1549 2 30 0 0 4 0 1585
2014 0 1526 4 28 0 1 3 0 1562
2015 1 1658 4 39 1 0 4 0 1707
2016 2 1698 3 37 0 0 2 0 1742
2017 2 1619 0 43 0 0 5 0 1669
2018 2 1477 0 49 1 0 5 0 1534
2019 1 1255 0 69 1 0 7 0 1333
2020 2 1166 0 80 2 0 6 0 1256
2021 3 1145 0 87 3 1 5 0 1244
2022 2 1148 0 107 2 0 9 0 1268
2023 1 1230 0 96 3 0 7 0 1337
2024 1 1255 0 93 2 0 12 0 1363

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 1510 89.0 16.9 n/a
1991 1367 87.0 15.7 12.1
1992 1329 79.0 16.8 15
1993 1296 72.0 18.0 22.4
1994 1366 76.8 17.8 29.2
1995 1404 76.0 18.5 34.6
1996 1404 76.0 18.5 34.6
1997 1444 69.0 20.9 31.4
1998 1457 69.5 21.0 24
1999 1401 75.6 18.5 45.3
2000 1383 74.1 18.7 48.2
2001 1386 79.1 17.5 47.8
2002 1710 101.6 16.8 47.8
2003 1710 101.6 16.8 47.8
2004 1748 103.0 17.0 49.8
2005 1824 99.0 18.4 56.3
2006 1860 103.0 18.1 61.4
2007 1770 107.1 16.5 61
2008 1740 110.0 15.8 63.2
2009 1752 103.0 17.0 68.8
2010 1771 110.2 16.0 75.6
2011 1518 99.0 15.3 78.5
2012 1429 97.1 14.7 76
2013 1585 98.7 16.0 78.9
2014 1562 101.8 15.3 74.6
2015 1707 102.0 16.7 70.2
2016 1742 104.0 16.7 99.8
2017 1669 107.8 15.4 100
2018 1534 103.7 14.7 100
2019 1333 98.1 13.5 100
2020 1256 85.7 14.6 78.6
2021 1244 79.7 15.6 100
2022 1268 79.5 15.9 n/a
2023 1337 107.3 12.4 100
2024 1363 112.0 12.1 82.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 1510 89.0 16.9 n/a
1991 1367 87.0 15.7 12.1
1992 1329 79.0 16.8 15
1993 1296 72.0 18.0 22.4
1994 1366 76.8 17.8 29.2
1995 1404 76.0 18.5 34.6
1996 1404 76.0 18.5 34.6
1997 1444 69.0 20.9 31.4
1998 1457 69.5 21.0 24
1999 1401 75.6 18.5 45.3
2000 1383 74.1 18.7 48.2
2001 1386 79.1 17.5 47.8
2002 1710 101.6 16.8 47.8
2003 1710 101.6 16.8 47.8
2004 1748 103.0 17.0 49.8
2005 1824 99.0 18.4 56.3
2006 1860 103.0 18.1 61.4
2007 1770 107.1 16.5 61
2008 1740 110.0 15.8 63.2
2009 1752 103.0 17.0 68.8
2010 1771 110.2 16.0 75.6
2011 1518 99.0 15.3 78.5
2012 1429 97.1 14.7 76
2013 1585 98.7 16.0 78.9
2014 1562 101.8 15.3 74.6
2015 1707 102.0 16.7 70.2
2016 1742 104.0 16.7 99.8
2017 1669 107.8 15.4 100
2018 1534 103.7 14.7 100
2019 1333 98.1 13.5 100
2020 1256 85.7 14.6 78.6
2021 1244 79.7 15.6 100
2022 1268 79.5 15.9 n/a
2023 1337 107.3 12.4 100
2024 1363 112.0 12.1 82.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Benjamin E. Mays High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017 $1,091 (7.8%) $12,879 (92.2%) $13,970
2018 $1,188 (8.1%) $13,540 (91.9%) $14,728
2019 $1,326 (8.5%) $14,334 (91.5%) $15,660

Data source: Georgia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Benjamin E. Mays High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 390th of 438 High schoolsRanks 399th of 442 High schools
 1.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Benjamin E. Mays High School)20.611.7
 8.9%
   End of Course American Literature and Composition (Atlanta Public Schools)3726.6
 10.4%
   End of Course American Literature and Composition (Georgia)47.338.9
 8.4%
End of Course Algebra I (Benjamin E. Mays High School)5.311.8
 6.5%
   End of Course Algebra I (Atlanta Public Schools)28.726.7
 2%
   End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)41.135.8
 5.3%
End of Course Biology (Benjamin E. Mays High School)11.814.2
 2.4%
   End of Course Biology (Atlanta Public Schools)3529.2
 5.8%
   End of Course Biology (Georgia)4945.5
 3.5%
End of Course United States History (Benjamin E. Mays High School)16.912.2
 4.7%
   End of Course United States History (Atlanta Public Schools)35.117.6
 17.5%
   End of Course United States History (Georgia)48.337.1
 11.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students13331337
 0.3%
African American12551230
 2%
American Indian13
 200%
Asian00
Hispanic6996
 39.1%
Pacific Islander00
White11
Two or More Races77
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Benjamin E. Mays High School

Students at Benjamin E. Mays High School are 92% African American, 7% Hispanic.

Benjamin E. Mays High School ranks in the bottom 19.2% of Georgia high schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,363 students attended Benjamin E. Mays High School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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