Buford Senior Academy

Buford Senior Academy is a grades 3–5 elementary school in Buford, GA, serving 1,368 students as part of the highly rated Buford City district. The school has earned a 5-star rating for six straight years, ranking in the 90th–93rd percentile statewide, and in 2025–2026 it placed 116th out of 1,219 Georgia elementary schools.

Academically, Buford Senior Academy consistently outperforms state averages by wide margins. In the most recent testing year, math proficiency ranged from 68.5% to 74.1% across grades 3–5, compared to state averages of 44–50%, and 5th grade science hit 69.7% versus 44.2% statewide. The school also stands out for remarkably low chronic absenteeism at 6.3%—less than a third of the state average of 17.7%—despite serving a student body where about 37% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Subgroup performance is strong too: White students rank in the 92nd percentile, African American students in the 89th, and Special Education students in the 88th percentile statewide. The one area for growth is English Language Learner support, where the school ranks in the 44th percentile—a clear opportunity for additional targeted help.

Compared to nearby schools, Buford Senior Academy holds its own but faces stiff competition from Roberts Elementary School in Gwinnett County, which edges it out in most subjects (e.g., 84.7% vs. 74.1% in 3rd grade math). Ivy Creek Elementary School posts comparable math scores in lower grades, while Buford Senior Academy outperforms Sugar Hill Elementary School, Harmony Elementary School, and White Oak Elementary School. Notably, the school achieves these results while spending less per pupil ($12,081) than most nearby schools, and its student-teacher ratio has improved to 16.1:1. Its stable, year-over-year performance—unlike the more volatile rankings of some neighbors—points to a well-established academic program that families can count on.