Hambrick Elementary School

Hambrick Elementary School in Stone Mountain, GA, serves approximately 536 students in grades PK-5 as part of DeKalb County Schools, with all students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Hambrick has shown some encouraging signs recently, particularly in 5th grade math, where 32.4% of students met proficiency standards—actually edging out the district average of 31.7%. This marks a strong improvement from the prior year's 24.7%. Science scores have also climbed to 29.7%, nearly matching the district average. However, the school's overall state ranking sits at the 20th percentile, placing it in the bottom quintile of Georgia elementary schools. One notable bright spot is that English Language Learner students perform relatively well, ranking in the 26th percentile statewide—the school's second-strongest subgroup result. There is also a significant gender gap, with female students ranking in the 32nd percentile while male students rank in the 10th percentile, suggesting that support strategies may be working better for girls than boys.

The most pressing concern is chronic absenteeism. At 31.6%, Hambrick's rate is nearly double the state average of 17.7% and higher than several nearby schools like Indian Creek Elementary School (16.8%) and Brockett Elementary School (15.8%). The connection between attendance and achievement is striking when comparing Hambrick to DeKalb Agriculture Technology and Environment School, located just over a mile away. That school serves a similarly high-needs population but boasts a 72nd percentile ranking, a 3.6% chronic absenteeism rate, and roughly double the math proficiency—all while spending about $3,400 less per student. Hambrick's per-student spending has risen nearly 20% over four years to $19,330, yet outcomes haven't improved at the same pace. This suggests that addressing attendance and examining how resources are allocated—particularly for male students—could be powerful levers for future growth.