Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School

Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School is a small charter school in Atlanta, GA, serving 165 students in grades 6–12 under the State Specialty Schools II- Georgia Fugees Academy Charter district. Nearly all students (98%) qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the school invests heavily in its students—spending about $18,700 per pupil and maintaining a low 11:1 student-teacher ratio.

The biggest challenge facing the school is attendance. Chronic absenteeism has nearly tripled in recent years, jumping from 18% in 2021-2022 to nearly 50% today—more than 2.5 times the state average. This means about half of all students are missing enough school to seriously impact learning. The connection between attendance and achievement is clear when comparing nearby schools: Stone Mountain High School, just 5 miles away, has a similar 51% chronic absenteeism rate and similarly low test scores. In contrast, Dekalb Early College Academy, only 4 miles away, has a 4% absenteeism rate and ranks in the 99th percentile statewide.

Test performance at Georgia Fugees is highly volatile, with proficiency rates swinging dramatically from year to year—likely due to very small class sizes where a few students can shift percentages significantly. One bright spot is 8th grade math, where proficiency has reached 41%, close to the state average of 47%. However, gateway high school courses tell a more concerning story: Algebra I proficiency has declined from 11% to just 5%, and Biology sits at 5%, compared to state averages around 44-45%. The school does outperform Gwinnett Intervention Education Center (GIVE) West, a nearby alternative program, on several measures. While the school's resources and small class sizes provide a strong foundation, the near-50% absenteeism rate and declining scores in core subjects suggest that improving attendance and providing intensive academic supports will be critical to helping students succeed.