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Hayes Elementary School

Q: Is Hayes Elementary School a good school?

Hayes Elementary School ranks 532 nd of 1219 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

532^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,219 Georgia Elementary Schools

Better than 56% of Georgia elementary schools

Summary

Hayes Elementary School in Kennesaw, GA, serves approximately 802 students in grades PK through 5 as part of the Cobb County school district. The school holds a consistent 3-star rating and ranks in the 56th percentile statewide, though its ranking has slipped gradually from a peak in the 64th percentile a few years ago.

Hayes serves a student body where 57.5% qualify for free or reduced lunch—the highest rate among nearby schools like Due West Elementary (16.3%) or West Side Elementary (15.3%). In math, Hayes trails district averages across grades: 3rd grade scores 44.1% proficient versus 53.6% district-wide, and 5th grade scores 45.4% versus 52.8%. However, 5th grade math does exceed the state average of 44.1%. Science scores have remained stable around 42-45%, hovering near state levels but below the district. The school spends $17,454 per student—more than several higher-performing neighbors like Due West ($16,269) and Still Elementary ($17,191)—yet outcomes remain lower, suggesting poverty and attendance play larger roles than funding alone.

The most encouraging trend is attendance. Hayes has cut chronic absenteeism from 26.9% to 12.8% over four years—a 52% reduction that outpaces both the district (22.8% to 14.2%) and state (23.9% to 17.7%). While still the second-highest among comparable schools, this improvement is significant. The school also maintains a favorable 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio and shows relative strength serving African American students (68th percentile statewide). Areas needing attention include Hispanic student performance (17th percentile) and special education outcomes (41st percentile). With continued attendance gains and targeted support, Hayes has a solid foundation to build upon.

802

Students ?

12.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,454

Per pupil spending ?

57.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1501 Kennesaw Due West Rd NW
Kennesaw, GA 30152

(678) 594-8127

District: Cobb County

Students who attend Hayes Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Pine Mountain Middle School
High:	Kennesaw Mountain High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

39.5%

White:

28.3%

Hispanic:

19.1%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare Hayes Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Test scores delayed: 2026 rankings for Georgia do not yet include English Language Arts scores, which will not be released by the Georgia Department of Education until winter 2026.

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 57th percentile in 2016 → 56th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Georgia median (56th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg53%

Georgia avg47%

532^nd of 1,219

Georgia public elementary schools ?

Top 44%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

35^th of 64Elementary Schools in the Cobb County

58^th of 201Cobb County among Georgia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	51.5	532 of 1219	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.2	524 of 1238	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.1	478 of 1236	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.0	472 of 1223	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.9	444 of 1220	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.7	546 of 1214	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	44.3	663 of 1234	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.1	507 of 1209	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	58.2	448 of 1205	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	52.7	532 of 1233	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2015	37.3	773 of 1240	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2014	45.6	810 of 1231	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	54.7	680 of 1225	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	51.4	710 of 1201	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2011	35.3	900 of 1212	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	42.8	789 of 1183	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2009	46.1	699 of 1133	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	38.5	777 of 1134	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2007	36.8	814 of 1125	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	46.0	689 of 1101	37.4%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	60.5	263 of 828	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.8	307 of 892	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.5	282 of 879	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.5	255 of 870	70.7%	★★★★☆
2022	55.5	326 of 876	62.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	51.6	509 of 1186	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.6	490 of 1224	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.7	472 of 1223	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.6	506 of 1212	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.3	469 of 1206	61.1%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	23.1	418 of 503	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	60.2	182 of 583	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.7	126 of 565	77.7%	★★★★☆
2023	56.0	195 of 535	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.3	146 of 516	71.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	51.1	526 of 1183	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.6	553 of 1225	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.2	487 of 1220	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.3	442 of 1210	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	63.7	398 of 1209	67.1%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	38.0	275 of 465	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.2	278 of 565	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	36.9	285 of 487	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.5	270 of 455	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.4	162 of 415	61.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	55.8	306 of 700	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.8	400 of 769	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.2	432 of 772	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.6	430 of 775	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	52.3	362 of 779	53.5%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2026)68th percentile+12 vs school

Female (2026)57th percentile~ school

White (2026)56th percentile~ school

Male (2026)56th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)41st percentile-15 vs school

Hispanic (2026)17th percentile-39 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics46%~ state avg

Science42%~ state avg

4.0

7 ratings · 5 written reviews

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, December 8, 2021

My two daughters attend Hayes and love it! Great teachers and staff! Very communicative. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, August 16, 2021

This school is full of caring, talented teacher and everyone is represented here. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, August 18, 2018

I feel as though there is discrimination at Hayes Elementary. My daughter and I are devastated. We had high hopes for this school and it has turned out to be a heartache for my daughter and I. We are a military family that has moved around quit a bit. My husband and I have gone through great lengths to make sure that our children would start the school year in there perspective classrooms with out change. After 2 weeks we were notified that the classes were over crowed and that they were moving my daughter to a new class room. My daughter and I were devastated. I sent multiple emails to the Principal and other administrators and even went to the school explaining our situation and how the change would not be conducive for my child. All of the administrators have continued to brush me off. They have made my daughter and I feel as though they care less about her well being. My daughter is such a bright, sweet, loving girl. Unfortunately, just as I thought, she has came home from school feeling down. Telling me how she saw her old friends at the play ground and now she feels like an outcast. She feels as though she is not good enough to be in the class that she started in. If I could pull my daughter out of this school I would. No one wants there child to feel this way. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, January 24, 2014

It takes an arm and a leg to get the school to help you with anything if your child is struggling. Mr.Pearce WAS great and so was Mr.Farrell. Neither of them are there anymore :O( The new principal is "ok" but she doesn't even come close to Mr.Pearce. I think she has a great personality but as far as the business side I think she needs some work. Schools complain when parents aren't involved with their kids. This school gets mad if you speak up for your child. The school is TOO diverse. We shouldn't have to send two different letters home to parents because the other half doesn't speak English. This is America and I'm tired of my children having to be put in situations because some children cant speak English. When our children are having to help these kids read ENGLISH their is a problem! Either we need a Spanish teaching person who can work with these kids one on one or you must know English before you come to school. Why is this being allowed? Our children shouldn't have to be held back. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, May 30, 2009

Don't just look at the scores.

First off, they have had a new principal in place for only a couple years, but he (Mr. Pearce)has made a TREMENDOUS change for the better. It is an AWESOME school. My son went to private Kindergarten, but then we put him at this school for first grade. He kept learning and was not slowed down b/c of others in his class. The teachers are dedicating to helping all their students and use groups to help them achieve. Kudos to Mrs. Duerr and Mr. Pearce!!

Secondly, this is a very diverse school. You have kids whose primary language at home is not english and in fact some parents do not know enough english to read papers that come home. So what does the school do? They send paperwork in both english and spanish so that the parents aren't left behind either. It is also diverse in social status as well. I am glad my son can have a mix of friends. Because of some of these diversities and other challenges, school scores may not be as high as some of the others. But whether you have an A+ student or a struggling one, this school will more than make it a place for them all to achieve their very best! They also have a very friendly staff of teachers and administrators who are helpful with superb customer service! Kudos to Hayes staff and administrators!!

Lastly, the PTSA is very active, but without bombarding parents/kids with over-selling. They are good about finding ways to fundraisers tactfully! Kudos to the PTSA!! Close Quote

Schools Near Hayes Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2026)			Milestones Assessment Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Hayes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1501 Kennesaw Due West Rd NW	Kennesaw	30152	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8127	802	64	12.5	57.5%	227 (28.3%)	317 (39.5%)	153 (19.1%)	53 (6.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (6.2%)	51.5	532^nd of 1219 public elementary schools	56.4%		53.2	524^th of 1238 public elementary schools	57.7%	8	44.1	48.7	45.4	42.0	$17,454	$338	$17,116
Bullard Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3656 Old Stilesboro Rd NW	Kennesaw	30152	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8720	799	63	12.6	27.9%	409 (51.2%)	147 (18.4%)	135 (16.9%)	40 (5.0%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	64 (8.0%)	70.3	325^th of 1219 public elementary schools	73.3%		79.3	243^rd of 1238 public elementary schools	80.4%	82	51.9	65.4	51.0	51.4	$17,835	$352	$17,482
Due West Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3900 Due West Rd NW	Marietta	30064	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8071	626	49	12.8	16.3%	375 (59.9%)	86 (13.7%)	59 (9.4%)	39 (6.2%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (10.1%)	95.1	71^st of 1219 public elementary schools	94.2%		94.5	75^th of 1238 public elementary schools	93.9%	4	72.6	80.2	83.2	75.7	$16,269	$354	$15,915
Kennesaw Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	3155 Jiles Rd NW	Kennesaw	30144	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8172	560	50	11.2	51.3%	198 (35.4%)	161 (28.8%)	118 (21.1%)	25 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (10.4%)								(n/a)					$20,203	$333	$19,870
Lewis Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4179 Jim Owens Rd NW	Kennesaw	30152	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(770) 975-6673	550	47	11.8	55.3%	208 (37.8%)	130 (23.6%)	125 (22.7%)	21 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	64 (11.6%)	59.1	439^th of 1219 public elementary schools	64.0%		71.3	314^th of 1238 public elementary schools	74.6%	125	39.4	63.1	50.6	40.5	$18,607	$318	$18,289
Big Shanty Elementary School	Public	3-5	1575 Ben King Rd NW	Kennesaw	30144	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8023	511	45	11.3	50.9%	174 (34.1%)	157 (30.7%)	130 (25.4%)	15 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (6.8%)	54.7	505^th of 1219 public elementary schools	58.6%		62.1	412^th of 1238 public elementary schools	66.7%	93	46.4	55.2	54.9	30.3	$18,668	$339	$18,329
Still Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	870 Casteel Rd	Powder Springs	30127	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8287	755	62	12.1	32.2%	330 (43.7%)	209 (27.7%)	122 (16.2%)	29 (3.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (8.5%)	73.9	284^th of 1219 public elementary schools	76.7%		70.8	321^st of 1238 public elementary schools	74.1%	37	64.7	63.8	56.9	44.6	$17,191	$390	$16,800
A.L. Burruss Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	325 Manning Rd SW	Marietta	30064	Cobb County	Marietta City	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 429-3144	409	38	10.9	47.7%	132 (32.3%)	144 (35.2%)	91 (22.2%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (8.6%)	76.7	251^st of 1219 public elementary schools	79.4%		78	254^th of 1238 public elementary schools	79.5%	3	60.3	62.5	55.2	56.0	$19,847	$289	$19,558
West Side Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	344 Polk St NW	Marietta	30064	Cobb County	Marietta City	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 429-3172	556	45	12.3	15.3%	419 (75.4%)	59 (10.6%)	39 (7.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (6.7%)	98.7	9^th of 1219 public elementary schools	99.3%		98.5	16^th of 1238 public elementary schools	98.7%	7	91.0	94.2	86.3	81.3	$17,883	$315	$17,568
Baker Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2361 Baker Rd NW	Acworth	30101	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(770) 975-6629	738	67	11.0	49.3%	226 (30.6%)	233 (31.6%)	164 (22.2%)	47 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	65 (8.8%)	64.4	386^th of 1219 public elementary schools	68.3%		56.1	486^th of 1238 public elementary schools	60.7%	100	63.9	38.8	56.2	49.6	$18,468	$340	$18,127

Frequently Asked Questions about Hayes Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Hayes Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Hayes Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Pine Mountain Middle School
High : Kennesaw Mountain High School

What district is Hayes Elementary School in?

Cobb County

How many students attend Hayes Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 802 students attended Hayes Elementary School.

Is Hayes Elementary School a good school?

Hayes Elementary School ranks 532^nd of 1219 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Hayes Elementary School?

Students at Hayes Elementary School are 40% African American, 28% White, 19% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 6% Two or more races.

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Latest Georgia data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataNewAug 6, 2026

2025–26 Milestones Assessment scoresNewAug 6, 2026

2021–22 through 2024–25 Milestones Assessment scores (updated)NewAug 6, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesFeb 19, 2026

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.