Scintilla Charter Academy

Scintilla Charter Academy in Valdosta, GA, is a public charter school serving 947 students in grades K-10 as part of the State Specialty Schools I- Scintilla Charter Academy district, operating independently of the local county system.

This school stands out most for its exceptional student attendance and strong science program. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at just 7.3% compared to the state average of 17.7%, meaning students are consistently in class and engaged. In science, the school shines brightly: 83.6% of students scored proficient or above on the Biology End-of-Course exam versus 47.2% statewide, and 5th-grade science proficiency hit 72.7% compared to 44.2% statewide. Early-grade math is another clear strength, with 3rd and 4th graders achieving proficiency rates of 75.3% and 79.8% respectively—well above state averages of 48.3% and 50.1%. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $12,273 per student with a favorable 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio.

There are a few areas worth noting. While Biology scores have improved dramatically over three years (from 38.3% to 83.6%), U.S. History proficiency is a concern at just 22.2% versus the state's 38.5%. Similarly, 8th-grade social studies (29.2%) lags behind the state average (40.2%), even though 8th-grade math and science are above average. Algebra I scores are trending upward, reaching 70.1% proficiency. The student population has also shifted, with free/reduced lunch eligibility declining from 54.3% to 46.6%. Since there are no other schools within 20 miles, comparisons are made to state averages. Note that English Language Arts scores were not released this year and will be available in December; historical data shows the school previously outperformed the state in all grades.