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DeKalb Arts Academy

Q: Is DeKalb Arts Academy a good school?

DeKalb Arts Academy ranks 325 th of 1238 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-8

325^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,238 Georgia Elementary Schools

Better than 74% of Georgia elementary schools

Summary

DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts is a public elementary school located in Avondale Estates, Georgia, serving grades K-8 with a total enrollment of 591 students. The school is part of the DeKalb County School District, which is ranked 131 out of 206 districts in Georgia and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts consistently outperforms the DeKalb County and Georgia state averages in standardized test scores across multiple grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school had significantly higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts (51.2% to 64.3% across grades 3-8) and Mathematics (52.9% to 62.8% across grades 3-8) compared to the county (29.1% to 34.9% in ELA, 22.8% to 34.3% in Math) and state (34.9% to 43% in ELA, 37.3% to 49% in Math) averages. The school has maintained a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade, ranking in the top 30% of Georgia elementary schools, which is a significant achievement compared to the district's overall 2-star rating. Additionally, the school has a relatively high percentage of free and reduced lunch recipients, ranging from 56.01% to 64.64% over the past few years, and a lower student-teacher ratio (13.8 to 14.8) compared to the district average.

When comparing DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts to other nearby schools in the same district, such as McLendon Elementary School, Dunaire Elementary School, and Indian Creek Elementary School, it stands out as a high-performing outlier. The school's strong rankings, test scores, and student-teacher ratio, combined with its proximity to other high-quality educational options like The Museum School Avondale Estates, make it an attractive choice for families in the Avondale Estates area.

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!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 71st percentile in 2015 → 74th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Georgia average (49% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in DeKalb County

✓Above the Georgia median (74th percentile)

Worth a look

!Social Studies scores 15 pts below the Georgia average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school49%

District avg30%

Georgia avg41%

Elementary school

325^th of 1,238

Georgia public elementary schools ?

Top 26%▲ up 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

174^th of 584

Georgia public middle schools ?

Top 30%▲ up 19 pts since 2015

From top 49% (2015) to top 30% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

16^th of 81Elementary Schools in the DeKalb County

131^st of 206DeKalb 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
2025	70.2	325 of 1238	73.7%	★★★★☆
2024	70.0	345 of 1248	72.4%	★★★★☆
2023	69.2	345 of 1242	72.2%	★★★★☆
2022	54.8	513 of 1244	58.8%	★★★☆☆
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%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2025	64.7	174 of 584	70.2%	★★★★☆
2024	82.9	88 of 588	85.0%	★★★★☆
2023	80.8	94 of 577	83.7%	★★★★☆
2022	73.3	134 of 567	76.4%	★★★★☆
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%	★★★★★

By subject vs Georgia (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts57%+17 vs state

Science56%+19 vs state

Mathematics44%~ state avg

Social Studies24%-15 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

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2025)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2025)						Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2025)						Milestones Assessment Science (2025)		Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2025)	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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	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%)	70.2	325^th of 1238 public elementary schools	73.7%		70	345^th of 1248 public elementary schools	72.4%	20		51.2	52.9	64.3	51.6	61.4	59.1	62.8	58.8	52.9	18.4	41.6	50.0	54.3	58.0	23.9	$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%)	26.1	908^th of 1238 public elementary schools	26.7%		30.4	847^th of 1248 public elementary schools	32.1%	61		24.1	26.0	24.7				38.0	32.5	21.3				27.0			$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%)	78	255^th of 1238 public elementary schools	79.4%		76.3	275^th of 1248 public elementary schools	78.0%	20	72.7	54.2	57.6	54.0	56.5	60.6	63.4	62.7	59.1	54.0	33.3	47.9	60.6	61.9	54.9	46.4	$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%)	97	38^th of 1238 public elementary schools	96.9%		92	110^th of 1248 public elementary schools	91.2%	72		69.8	73.8	76.2				84.9	78.6	73.8				78.6			$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%)	94.7	73^rd of 1238 public elementary schools	94.1%		92.6	101^st of 1248 public elementary schools	91.9%	28		66.1	68.3	77.9				69.8	73.4	77.8				70.4			$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%)	18	1031^st of 1238 public elementary schools	16.7%		29.5	862^nd of 1248 public elementary schools	30.9%	169		8.3	17.9	26.9				16.7	15.4	28.8				30.8			$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%)	15.1	1088^th of 1238 public elementary schools	12.1%		18.9	1019^th of 1248 public elementary schools	18.3%	69		18.5	25.0	20.9				14.8	23.4	16.2				19.4			$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%)	11.9	1147^th of 1238 public elementary schools	7.4%		13.1	1137^th of 1248 public elementary schools	8.9%	10		12.4	11.7	18.4				19.8	19.6	17.7				21.5			$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

What district is DeKalb Arts Academy in?

DeKalb County

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.

Is DeKalb Arts Academy a good school?

DeKalb Arts Academy ranks 325^th of 1238 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend DeKalb Arts Academy?

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

Rate DeKalb Arts Academy!

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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.