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DeKalb Arts Academy

Q: Is DeKalb Arts Academy a good school?

DeKalb Arts Academy ranks 480 th of 1219 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-8

480^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,219 Georgia Elementary Schools

Better than 61% of Georgia elementary schools

Summary

DeKalb Arts Academy is a K-8 theme school in Avondale Estates, GA, serving 768 students within the DeKalb County School District, where it combines a traditional academic curriculum with an arts focus.

This school stands out for its exceptional attendance and strong academic results, especially given that 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Chronic absenteeism is just 4.2%—a dramatic improvement from 16.6% a few years ago and far better than the 26.7% district average. Academically, the school outperforms the district in math at every grade level, with 5th graders hitting 63.3% proficiency versus 31.7% district-wide. Science is a particular strength, especially in 8th grade, where 46.6% of students are proficient compared to 24.6% in the district and 29.7% statewide. The school also earns high marks for its African American students, ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide for that group. Notably, it achieves these results while spending less per student ($17,413) than many nearby schools, including McLendon Elementary School ($24,746) and Robert Shaw Theme School ($22,295).

Compared to its neighbors, DeKalb Arts Academy is a clear standout. It dramatically outperforms traditional elementary schools like Avondale Elementary School and Indian Creek Elementary School, which rank in the bottom 17th percentile and have absenteeism rates seven to eight times higher. It also competes favorably with the more affluent Museum School Avondale Estates, matching or exceeding it in several science and math areas. However, there is room for growth: 6th grade math (28.7% proficient) and 8th grade social studies (22.2%) lag behind the school's otherwise strong profile. The nearby Robert Shaw Theme School ranks higher overall (94th percentile), suggesting instructional practices there might offer lessons for DeKalb Arts Academy to consider.

768

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,413

Per pupil spending ?

76%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3131 Old Rockbridge Rd
Avondale Estates, GA 30002

(678) 874-1302

District: DeKalb County

Racial breakdown:

African American:

82.2%

Two or more races:

6.3%

White:

6.0%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare DeKalb Arts Academy 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: Declining — 73rd percentile in 2016 → 61st in 2026

Strengths

✓Among the top-ranked schools in DeKalb County

✓Above the Georgia median (61st percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 12 percentile points since 2016

!Social Studies scores 18 pts below the Georgia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

District avg30%

Georgia avg43%

Elementary school

480^th of 1,219

Georgia public elementary schools ?

Top 39%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From top 27% (2016) to top 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

240^th of 578

Georgia public middle schools ?

Top 42%▼ down 26 pts since 2016

From top 16% (2016) to top 42% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

19^th of 81Elementary Schools in the DeKalb County

136^th of 201DeKalb 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	55.9	480 of 1219	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.2	325 of 1238	73.7%	★★★★☆
2024	70.0	345 of 1236	72.1%	★★★★☆
2023	69.2	344 of 1223	71.9%	★★★★☆
2022	54.8	511 of 1220	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	34.9	756 of 1214	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	67.7	354 of 1234	71.3%	★★★★☆
2018	69.7	330 of 1209	72.7%	★★★★☆
2017	77.5	236 of 1205	80.4%	★★★★☆
2016	69.1	330 of 1233	73.2%	★★★★☆
2015	65.2	360 of 1240	71.0%	★★★★☆
2014	64.1	523 of 1231	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	71.7	359 of 1225	70.7%	★★★★☆
2012	72.0	347 of 1201	71.1%	★★★★☆
2011	71.5	368 of 1212	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	67.1	424 of 1183	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	73.7	269 of 1133	76.3%	★★★★☆
2008	76.0	225 of 1134	80.2%	★★★★☆
2007	72.3	310 of 1125	72.4%	★★★★☆
2006	77.4	211 of 1101	80.8%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	73.9	143 of 828	82.7%	★★★★☆
2025	81.9	118 of 892	86.8%	★★★★☆
2024	80.8	123 of 879	86.0%	★★★★☆
2023	84.3	99 of 870	88.6%	★★★★☆
2022	70.4	214 of 876	75.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	56.4	454 of 1186	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	72.2	296 of 1224	75.8%	★★★★☆
2024	69.4	339 of 1223	72.3%	★★★★☆
2023	66.6	362 of 1212	70.1%	★★★★☆
2022	51.7	532 of 1206	55.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	57.1	471 of 1183	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	57.4	463 of 1225	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	67.7	354 of 1220	71.0%	★★★★☆
2023	69.7	329 of 1210	72.8%	★★★★☆
2022	58.3	470 of 1209	61.1%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	54.6	240 of 578	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.7	174 of 585	70.3%	★★★★☆
2024	82.9	88 of 578	84.8%	★★★★☆
2023	80.8	95 of 569	83.3%	★★★★☆
2022	73.3	133 of 558	76.2%	★★★★☆
2021	49.8	254 of 542	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	91.2	43 of 559	92.3%	★★★★★
2018	92.5	38 of 543	93.0%	★★★★★
2017	91.4	44 of 539	91.8%	★★★★★
2016	80.5	87 of 545	84.0%	★★★★☆
2015	49.1	264 of 537	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	72.3	126 of 521	75.8%	★★★★☆
2013	76.6	89 of 527	83.1%	★★★★☆
2012	74.7	108 of 508	78.7%	★★★★☆
2011	72.4	124 of 504	75.4%	★★★★☆
2010	68.4	143 of 494	71.1%	★★★★☆
2009	76.7	75 of 466	83.9%	★★★★☆
2008	82.7	53 of 462	88.5%	★★★★☆
2007	77.3	67 of 445	84.9%	★★★★☆
2006	82.5	42 of 420	90.0%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	69.7	108 of 480	77.5%	★★★★☆
2025	74.3	86 of 494	82.6%	★★★★☆
2024	91.6	30 of 489	93.9%	★★★★★
2023	90.0	34 of 485	93.0%	★★★★★
2022	83.3	60 of 482	87.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	50.8	252 of 550	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.2	174 of 567	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	80.0	90 of 558	83.9%	★★★★☆
2023	77.3	102 of 553	81.6%	★★★★☆
2022	71.4	131 of 544	75.9%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	63.6	172 of 550	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.8	208 of 569	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	86.6	56 of 561	90.0%	★★★★★
2023	85.4	61 of 559	89.1%	★★★★☆
2022	73.1	130 of 553	76.5%	★★★★☆

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)

Elementary school

African American (2026)83rd percentile+22 vs school

Female (2026)62nd percentile~ school

Male (2026)60th percentile~ school

Middle school

African American (2026)78th percentile+19 vs school

Male (2026)69th percentile+10 vs school

Female (2026)54th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Science55%+17 vs state

Mathematics45%~ state avg

Social Studies22%-18 vs state

3.8

6 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★4

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, August 4, 2022

If you are ACTUALLY looking for a performing arts school, DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO DESA. DESA is a mediocre school, with a few arts-based electives. One or two half-put together performances, does not make it a performing arts school.

Additionally, the principal is really enthusiastic and seems to love her job - unfortunately, too much.

She tries to do EVERYTHING herself. A principal’s job is to hire competent people to delegate tasks to…Not try to do everything themselves. A school cannot be run by one person. It’s impossible to be everywhere, all the time, trying to do everything. Inevitably, lots and lots of things fell through the cracks - including the student’s education and PA part of the school.

I'm giving them two stars for effort, but I was sorely disappointed with our experience there. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, July 9, 2014

This is one of the worst, unorganized schools EVER!.. They use the fact that they are a magnet school to cover up for their multiple infractions. The 6th grade team with an exception of Mrs. Kabwatha all need to be fired and replaced. There is a teacher there that insist on Facebook as a form of communication in regards to grades and a student's progress. Upon withdrawing my child from the school, we found that her documents had been falsified stating that she was retained in a grade; an act which never happened. The principals do not listen to parents and try to skate by and not correct wrong doings.. PARENTS BEWARE!!!! Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

This is a great school. This is my daughter's second year and she loves it. Administration, teachers and staff are very caring towards the students. Close Quote

Schools Near DeKalb Arts Academy

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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 Algebra I (2026)	Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2026)						Milestones Assessment Science (2026)		Milestones Assessment Social Studies (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 Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
DeKalb Arts Academy	Public	K-8	3131 Old Rockbridge Rd	Avondale Estates	30002	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-1302	768	52	14.7	76.0%	46 (6.0%)	631 (82.2%)	33 (4.3%)	9 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (6.3%)	55.9	480^th of 1219 public elementary schools	60.6%		70.2	325^th of 1238 public elementary schools	73.7%	155		52.1	38.7	63.3	28.7	44.2	50.0	71.5	46.6	22.2	$17,413	$1,669	$15,745
Avondale Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8 Lakeshore Dr	Avondale Estates	30002	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-5202	521	42	12.4	91.6%	95 (18.2%)	314 (60.3%)	41 (7.9%)	45 (8.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.4%)	18.9	1009^th of 1219 public elementary schools	17.2%		26.1	908^th of 1238 public elementary schools	26.7%	101		27.0	33.3	22.7				23.8			$19,862	$1,855	$18,007
Museum School Avondale Estates	Public, Charter	K-8	3191 Covington Hwy	Avondale Estates	30002	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	Yes	No	No	No	(404) 292-9760	588	45	13.0	36.2%	290 (49.3%)	197 (33.5%)	43 (7.3%)	20 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (6.3%)	80.5	218^th of 1219 public elementary schools	82.1%		78	255^th of 1238 public elementary schools	79.4%	37	87.9	74.5	57.9	56.0	50.7	58.3	60.3	65.1	45.6	36.8	$18,904	$87	$18,817
Robert Shaw Theme School	Public	PK, KG-5	385 Glendale Rd	Scottdale	30079	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-6002	307	25	12.2	100.0%	2 (0.7%)	284 (92.5%)	10 (3.3%)	6 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	94.8	78^th of 1219 public elementary schools	93.6%		97	38^th of 1238 public elementary schools	96.9%	40		84.2	70.8	76.3				81.6			$22,295	$2,031	$20,264
Talley Street Upper Elementary School	Public	3-5	2617 Talley St	Decatur	30030	DeKalb County	City Schools of Decatur	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 377-1446	623	51	12.1	21.2%	338 (54.3%)	144 (23.1%)	40 (6.4%)	40 (6.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	60 (9.6%)	92.2	107^th of 1219 public elementary schools	91.2%		94.7	73^rd of 1238 public elementary schools	94.1%	34		74.5	68.7	77.9				71.4			$19,026	$594	$18,432
Glennwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	440 E Ponce de Leon Ave	Decatur	30030	DeKalb County	City Schools of Decatur	No	No	No	No	(404) 370-4435	184	19	9.8	21.7%	79 (42.9%)	44 (23.9%)	21 (11.4%)	17 (9.2%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (12.0%)								(n/a)											$29,488	$500	$28,987
McLendon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3169 Hollywood Dr	Decatur	30033	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-5902	342	31	11.0	100.0%	18 (5.3%)	199 (58.2%)	66 (19.3%)	34 (9.9%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (6.7%)	16.6	1050^th of 1219 public elementary schools	13.9%		18	1031^st of 1238 public elementary schools	16.7%	19		31.7	22.0	20.5				25.6			$24,746	$2,155	$22,591
Dunaire Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	651 S Indian Creek Dr	Stone Mountain	30083	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-5502	432	32	13.5	100.0%	22 (5.1%)	268 (62.0%)	32 (7.4%)	102 (23.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.6%)	13.2	1107^th of 1219 public elementary schools	9.2%		15.1	1088^th of 1238 public elementary schools	12.1%	19		20.8	19.5	21.5				25.3			$21,079	$1,860	$19,219
Indian Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	724 N Indian Creek Dr	Clarkston	30021	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-5702	967	75	12.8	100.0%	108 (11.2%)	348 (36.0%)	59 (6.1%)	438 (45.3%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	9 (0.9%)	18.5	1019^th of 1219 public elementary schools	16.4%		11.9	1147^th of 1238 public elementary schools	7.4%	128		28.5	33.6	20.3				23.3			$19,077	$2,156	$16,921
Winnona Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	510 Avery St	Decatur	30030	DeKalb County	City Schools of Decatur	No	No	No	No	(404) 370-4490	276	21	13.1	8.0%	177 (64.1%)	34 (12.3%)	18 (6.5%)	14 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	32 (11.6%)								(n/a)											$23,902	$258	$23,643

Frequently Asked Questions about DeKalb Arts Academy

Is DeKalb Arts Academy a good school?

DeKalb Arts Academy ranks 480^th of 1219 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of DeKalb Arts Academy?

Students at DeKalb Arts Academy are 82% African American, 6% Two or more races, 6% White, 4% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

How many students attend DeKalb Arts Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 768 students attended DeKalb Arts Academy.

What district is DeKalb Arts Academy in?

DeKalb County

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Schools in Avondale Estates, GA

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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.