Elbert County High School

Elbert County High School in Elberton, GA, serves approximately 916 students in grades 9-12 and is part of the Elbert County district, which currently holds a 2-star rating.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that this school is facing real academic challenges, especially in math and science. On the most recent End of Course tests, only 16.2% of students scored proficient in Algebra I, compared to 43.4% at Hart County High School and 48.1% statewide. Biology proficiency was 26.4%, well below the state average of 47.2%. The school's overall state ranking has slipped from the 47th percentile to the 26th percentile over the past few years, while nearby Madison County High School and Hart County High School have held steady in the low-to-mid 50s. It's worth noting that the school spends slightly more per student ($12,914) than those neighboring schools, yet outcomes lag significantly. There are also equity concerns—special education students rank in the 5th percentile statewide, and several other student groups rank in the low teens. US History is a relative bright spot, with proficiency just 8 points below the state average.

There are encouraging signs, too. Chronic absenteeism has dropped dramatically from 30% to 14.8%—now better than the state average—and the graduation rate has held steady at 86.5%, close to the state's 87.2%. The student population has shifted rapidly, with 94.76% of students now qualifying for free or reduced lunch, up from 58% just two years ago, which may be straining resources. While the school's academic performance is a concern, the improvements in attendance and stable graduation rates suggest a foundation to build on. Parents should watch whether the school can translate these gains into stronger test scores, particularly in Algebra I and Biology, in the coming years.