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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.

Varner Elementary School

Q: Is Varner Elementary School a good school?

Varner Elementary School ranks 581 st of 1222 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

581^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,222 Georgia Elementary Schools

Better than 52% of Georgia elementary schools

Summary

Varner Elementary School in Powder Springs, GA, serves approximately 705 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Cobb County School District, holding a 3-star rating that places it in the middle of Georgia elementary schools.

One of Varner's standout strengths is its exceptional performance with its African American student population, which ranks in the 80th percentile statewide—the school's strongest subgroup result. The school also shines in attendance: its chronic absenteeism rate of 13.6% is better than both the district (14.2%) and state (17.7%) averages, and it has improved dramatically from 18.6% just a few years ago. This improvement outpaces district and state trends, suggesting effective engagement strategies. However, academics show a mixed picture. In math, 4th graders (49.6% proficient) outperform both 3rd (44.6%) and 5th graders (41.6%), with the 5th grade score falling 11.2 points below the district average. Science is a persistent challenge, with 5th grade proficiency at 36%—11.1 points below the district—though this represents improvement from last year's 27.3%. Notably, male students (62nd percentile) outperform female students (43rd percentile), which is unusual for elementary schools and may point to instructional approaches that resonate differently across genders.

Varner sits between two very different nearby schools: Kemp Elementary (85th percentile, 4-star) and Compton Elementary (11th percentile, 1-star). With 60.7% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, Varner's economic profile is closer to Compton's, yet its academic performance (52nd percentile) is notably higher. The school spends $18,612 per student—more than Kemp ($16,458) and Still Elementary ($17,191)—raising questions about resource allocation. Special education students (37th percentile) represent an area for growth. Varner's ranking has remained remarkably stable over the past decade, never dropping below 2 stars but also never reaching 4, suggesting a solid foundation that may need new strategies to reach the next level.

705

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,612

Per pupil spending ?

60.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

4761 Gaydon Rd
Powder Springs, GA 30127

(770) 222-3775

District: Cobb County

Students who attend Varner Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Tapp Middle School
High:	McEachern High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

52.2%

Hispanic:

22.3%

White:

13.2%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare Varner Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 58th percentile in 2016 → 52nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Georgia median (52nd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 6 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school43%

District avg53%

Georgia avg47%

581^st of 1,222

Georgia public elementary schools ?

Top 48%▼ down 5 pts since 2016

From top 42% (2016) to top 48% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

37^th of 64Elementary Schools in the Cobb County

58^th of 202Cobb 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	47.6	581 of 1222	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.8	617 of 1238	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.8	472 of 1236	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.8	550 of 1223	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.8	463 of 1220	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.3	590 of 1214	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.1	624 of 1234	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.0	571 of 1209	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	62.1	401 of 1205	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	53.1	522 of 1233	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	50.8	569 of 1240	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2014	70.4	398 of 1231	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	65.0	480 of 1225	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	60.7	563 of 1201	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	68.7	424 of 1212	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.3	455 of 1183	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	59.1	507 of 1133	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2008	69.2	341 of 1134	69.9%	★★★★☆
2007	70.6	340 of 1125	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	57.4	541 of 1101	50.9%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	70.2	165 of 829	80.1%	★★★★☆
2025	69.1	203 of 892	77.2%	★★★★☆
2024	70.6	194 of 879	77.9%	★★★★☆
2023	69.0	192 of 870	77.9%	★★★★☆
2022	78.0	144 of 876	83.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	38.8	675 of 1189	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.3	630 of 1224	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.6	520 of 1223	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.0	543 of 1212	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.8	380 of 1206	68.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	47.7	234 of 504	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.4	296 of 583	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	69.2	122 of 565	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	45.4	267 of 535	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.6	133 of 516	74.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	58.5	448 of 1186	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.0	604 of 1225	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.9	431 of 1220	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.1	567 of 1210	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.7	545 of 1209	54.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	36.8	292 of 466	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.9	285 of 565	49.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.9	158 of 487	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.9	197 of 455	56.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	43.7	389 of 703	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.5	427 of 769	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	71.9	215 of 772	72.2%	★★★★☆
2023	32.1	532 of 775	31.4%	★★☆☆☆

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)80th percentile+28 vs school

Male (2026)62nd percentile+10 vs school

Hispanic (2026)54th percentile~ school

White (2026)45th percentile-8 vs school

Female (2026)43rd percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2026)37th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics45%~ state avg

Science36%-8 vs state

2.6

8 ratings · 6 written reviews

5★2

4★1

3★1

2★0

1★4

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, July 12, 2021

Our daughter has been going to Varner since Kindergarten and we have had no issues. We are really glad she can go to this school. She will be going to first grade this coming school year. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, October 29, 2018

We are very disappointed in Varner Elementary due to poor leadership: the administration is significantly lacking in both communication as well as organization. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

My daughter recently graduated from Varner, and we decided to send our 2nd grader elsewhere. Varner has several excellent educators, but their efforts are undermined by a watered down, teach to the test curriculum and poor leadership from the prinicipal and assistant principal. The parents are willing and able to help improve the school, but the principal keeps them from taking ownership of THEIR school.

As parents, we just didn't feel as though we had a voice at Varner. During the six years, our daughter attended the school, there were 3 different principals, but no real improvement. Simply put, Varner is just an average school that doesn't challenge bright students or give struggling ones the help they need.

If you can do so, send your child to a private or charter school instead. We did just that, and have never looked back! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Varner is an amazing place to have your kids reach their potential. My son has developed his independence and confidence through the careful attention of his teachers. My little girl is so excited to start her Varner journey and as a parent I know she will excell in this environment just as her brother did. The PTA is amazing and the growing number of involved parents is only going to make things even better! Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, September 26, 2011

Varner Elementary is a well run school. The Principal is very clear that academics is first in the school and the school continues to score higher each year. It is wonderfully diverse with a strong PTA and lots of parents who volunteer for school events. Last year the school had a 100% membership rate with parents, teachers and administrators. The teachers are caring, they communicate to us about our children and they spend some of their off-time making sure they're preparing for the class. Each year, through PTA events, Box Tops for Kids and other fundraisers, the school purchases additional needs like White Boards, an air conditioning unit and hopefully in a few years a track. I appreciate the school and the underpaid teachers who keep it such a warm place. I'm very pleased with our choice to send our children here and I look forward to more fulfilling moments for my children in the years to come. Close Quote

by a teacher
Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Varner's Principal came to the school at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year. Because of her need to rule and not lead, she has the entire staff feeling as though they could lose their jobs at any minute. They are aware that this principal cannot hire and fire them at will. That doesn't keep her from making up false reports to put in their files. They are forced to do exactly what she says to do even if it puts a communication barrier between a teacher and a parent of a child in that teacher's class. She is completely aware of things happening in the school that are disruptive and even harmful to the children but instead of addressing the people involved, her answer is to ignore any requests for a meeting so clarification can be made. Varner's test scores are plummeting each year and it doesn't have to be that way. The school is full of amazing teachers who care very much for the children helping them succeed. But, when you have to go to work every day in a boot camp atmosphere with an unethical, two faced woman as your boss, staying focused and positive becomes more and more difficult. Close Quote

Schools Near Varner 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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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
Varner Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4761 Gaydon Rd	Powder Springs	30127	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 222-3775	705	57	12.4	60.7%	93 (13.2%)	368 (52.2%)	157 (22.3%)	19 (2.7%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (9.4%)	47.6	581^st of 1222 public elementary schools	52.5%		45.8	617^th of 1238 public elementary schools	50.2%	36	44.6	49.6	41.6	36.0	$18,612	$716	$17,896
Miles Ahead Charter School	Public, Charter	K-5	4665 Macland Road	Powder Springs	30127	Cobb County	State Specialty Schools II- Miles Ahead Charter School	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(770) 313-4841	261	23	11.6	46.0%	18 (6.9%)	218 (83.5%)	20 (7.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.5%)	19.6	1001^st of 1222 public elementary schools	18.1%		36.5	729^th of 1238 public elementary schools	41.1%	272	34.2	30.8	19.0	19.0	$16,834	$729	$16,104
Compton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3450 New Macland Rd	Powder Springs	30127	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 222-3700	593	60	9.8	—	42 (7.1%)	295 (49.7%)	231 (39.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.2%)	14.9	1082^nd of 1222 public elementary schools	11.5%		22.5	967^th of 1238 public elementary schools	21.9%	115	25.0	28.9	24.7	14.5	$20,218	$977	$19,241
Kemp Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	865 Corner Rd	Powder Springs	30127	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8158	894	65	13.8	21.5%	391 (43.7%)	316 (35.3%)	89 (10.0%)	28 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	70 (7.8%)	85.2	177^th of 1222 public elementary schools	85.5%		89.3	132^nd of 1238 public elementary schools	89.3%	45	73.9	67.4	65.4	55.2	$16,458	$496	$15,961
Powder Springs Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4570 Grady Grier Dr	Powder Springs	30127	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 222-3746	805	66	12.2	94.8%	62 (7.7%)	495 (61.5%)	169 (21.0%)	5 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (8.9%)	44.2	629^th of 1222 public elementary schools	48.5%		37.5	719^th of 1238 public elementary schools	41.9%	90	34.8	51.1	46.6	33.6	$16,913	$794	$16,119
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 1222 public elementary schools	76.8%		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
Dowell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2121 W Sandtown Rd SW	Marietta	30064	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 594-8059	898	75	12.0	87.4%	127 (14.1%)	310 (34.5%)	379 (42.2%)	31 (3.5%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (5.5%)	34.6	762^nd of 1222 public elementary schools	37.6%		39.4	698^th of 1238 public elementary schools	43.6%	64	39.0	40.2	34.4	31.8	$17,363	$757	$16,606
Hiram Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	200 Seaboard Ave	Hiram	30141	Paulding County	Paulding County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 443-3392	797	60	13.2	71.5%	97 (12.2%)	483 (60.6%)	154 (19.3%)	8 (1.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (6.6%)	23.9	937^th of 1222 public elementary schools	23.3%		25.7	915^th of 1238 public elementary schools	26.1%	22	30.7	30.8	34.4	23.8	$15,256	$1,001	$14,255
McGarity Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	262 Rakestraw Mill Rd	Hiram	30141	Paulding County	Paulding County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 445-9007	572	43	13.3	58.0%	250 (43.7%)	193 (33.7%)	85 (14.9%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (6.8%)	47.6	579^th of 1222 public elementary schools	52.6%		45	627^th of 1238 public elementary schools	49.4%	48	60.9	47.3	38.0	28.0	$14,716	$356	$14,359
Cheatham Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 John Ward Rd SW	Marietta	30064	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 594-8034	1,021	77	13.3	41.5%	394 (38.6%)	258 (25.3%)	283 (27.7%)	31 (3.0%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (5.2%)	74.3	281^st of 1222 public elementary schools	77.0%		70.2	326^th of 1238 public elementary schools	73.7%	45	49.7	64.1	62.2	54.5	$16,170	$317	$15,853

Frequently Asked Questions about Varner Elementary School

Is Varner Elementary School a good school?

Varner Elementary School ranks 581^st of 1222 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Varner Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Tapp Middle School
High : McEachern High School

How many students attend Varner Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 705 students attended Varner Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Varner Elementary School?

Students at Varner Elementary School are 52% African American, 22% Hispanic, 13% White, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

What district is Varner Elementary School in?

Cobb County

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Latest Georgia data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataAug 6, 2026

2025–26 Milestones Assessment scoresAug 6, 2026

2021–22 through 2024–25 Milestones Assessment scores (updated)Aug 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.