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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.

Lakeside Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

43^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 578 Georgia Middle Schools

Better than 93% of Georgia middle schools

Summary

Lakeside Middle School in Cumming, GA, is a large, highly-rated public school serving 1,513 students in grades 6-8 within the top-ranked Forsyth County district. The school consistently earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the top 10% of middle schools statewide, currently placing 43rd out of 578 schools. With a relatively affluent student body (only 14.67% eligible for free/reduced lunch) and a very low chronic absenteeism rate of 6.8%—less than half the state average—Lakeside provides a stable, engaged learning environment.

The school’s standout strength is mathematics. A remarkable 100% of students taking the Algebra I End of Course assessment scored proficient or better, far outpacing the district average (71.6%) and more than doubling the state average (48.1%). Standard grade-level math proficiency is also strong, ranging from 72.9% to 82.3% across grades 6-8—consistently 10-20 points above state averages. In science, 8th graders taking High School Physical Science achieved a 72.6% proficiency rate, well above district (61.9%) and state (60.9%) levels. Notably, Lakeside achieves these results while spending less per student ($11,576) than several nearby schools, including Little Mill Middle School ($12,527) and Otwell Middle School ($14,462), suggesting highly efficient resource use.

Compared to its closest neighbor, Lanier Middle School (2.16 miles away in Gwinnett County), Lakeside outperforms it in every subject except Algebra I, where both achieve 100% proficiency. For example, in 6th-grade math, Lakeside’s 81% proficiency nearly doubles Lanier’s 59.5%. Within Forsyth County, Lakeside is part of a high-performing cluster alongside South Forsyth Middle School, Piney Grove Middle School, and Riverwatch Middle School. While its state ranking has slipped slightly from 17th (2023-24) to 43rd, this reflects faster improvement elsewhere, not declining performance—test scores have remained stable or improved. The school also serves diverse subgroups effectively, ranking in the 94th percentile for female students and 86th percentile for special education students.

1,513

Students ?

16.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,576

Per pupil spending ?

14.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2565 Echols Rd
Cumming, GA 30041

(678) 455-7311

District: Forsyth County

Feeder schools for Lakeside Middle School:

Elementary:	Haw Creek Elementary
	Mashburn Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Asian:

46.9%

White:

37.8%

Hispanic:

8.9%

See top rated Georgia middle schools

Compare Lakeside Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 99th percentile in 2016 → 93rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Georgia average (80% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 7% of Georgia middle schools

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 school80%

District avg70%

Georgia avg43%

43^rd of 578

Georgia public middle schools ?

Top 7%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From top 1% (2016) to top 7% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 11Middle Schools in the Forsyth County

8^th of 202Forsyth 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	89.9	43 of 578	92.6%	★★★★★
2025	95.7	27 of 585	95.4%	★★★★★
2024	97.2	17 of 578	97.1%	★★★★★
2023	96.0	26 of 569	95.4%	★★★★★
2022	95.6	31 of 558	94.4%	★★★★★
2021	93.2	39 of 542	92.8%	★★★★★
2019	96.5	20 of 559	96.4%	★★★★★
2018	98.7	7 of 543	98.7%	★★★★★
2017	97.9	11 of 539	98.0%	★★★★★
2016	98.2	7 of 545	98.7%	★★★★★
2015	97.2	14 of 537	97.4%	★★★★★
2014	82.8	30 of 521	94.2%	★★★★★
2013	84.0	22 of 527	95.8%	★★★★★
2012	84.7	19 of 508	96.3%	★★★★★
2011	86.7	10 of 504	98.0%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	81.6	64 of 480	86.7%	★★★★☆
2025	74.0	88 of 494	82.2%	★★★★☆
2024	79.3	68 of 489	86.1%	★★★★☆
2023	83.9	51 of 485	89.5%	★★★★☆
2022	87.0	46 of 482	90.5%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	79.0	15 of 89	83.1%	★★★★☆
2025	81.3	9 of 92	90.2%	★★★★★
2024	83.6	4 of 90	95.6%	★★★★★
2023	76.4	21 of 95	77.9%	★★★★☆
2022	78.2	16 of 89	82.0%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2025	65.6	30 of 199	84.9%	★★★★☆
2024	49.7	65 of 200	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.2	65 of 166	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	41.0	83 of 157	47.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	91.0	33 of 550	94.0%	★★★★★
2025	91.2	37 of 567	93.5%	★★★★★
2024	92.3	29 of 558	94.8%	★★★★★
2023	88.4	47 of 553	91.5%	★★★★★
2022	89.0	49 of 544	91.0%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	68.0	93 of 374	75.1%	★★★★☆
2025	66.9	103 of 400	74.3%	★★★★☆
2024	75.4	64 of 381	83.2%	★★★★☆
2023	60.0	113 of 380	70.3%	★★★★☆
2022	56.3	130 of 367	64.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	87.3	53 of 550	90.4%	★★★★★
2025	89.6	45 of 569	92.1%	★★★★★
2024	92.3	30 of 561	94.7%	★★★★★
2023	89.1	43 of 559	92.3%	★★★★★
2022	87.7	55 of 553	90.1%	★★★★★

Migrant

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2023	52.8	70 of 157	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.2	63 of 159	60.4%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	83.9	19 of 136	86.0%	★★★★☆
2025	84.0	20 of 169	88.2%	★★★★☆
2024	82.0	23 of 172	86.6%	★★★★☆
2023	55.1	69 of 163	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.7	57 of 145	60.7%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	79.0	58 of 425	86.4%	★★★★☆
2025	86.7	30 of 442	93.2%	★★★★★
2024	96.9	9 of 437	97.9%	★★★★★
2023	93.6	21 of 429	95.1%	★★★★★
2022	80.8	44 of 431	89.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	66.4	127 of 404	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	57.9	160 of 415	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.8	138 of 417	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.1	126 of 429	70.6%	★★★★☆
2022	65.0	129 of 425	69.6%	★★★★☆

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)

Female (2026)94th percentile~ school

Male (2026)90th percentile~ school

African American (2026)87th percentile-6 vs school

Special Education (2026)86th percentile-6 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)86th percentile-7 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)85th percentile-10 vs school

Asian (2026)83rd percentile-9 vs school

Hispanic (2026)75th percentile-17 vs school

White (2026)69th percentile-24 vs school

Migrant (2023)55th percentile-40 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I100%+52 vs state

Social Studies79%+39 vs state

Mathematics79%+36 vs state

HS Physical Science73%+12 vs state

3.8

6 ratings · 5 written reviews

5★4

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, April 4, 2019

Unfortunately, this school has the makings of a great place, but the apathetic administration & unruly students ensure that this doesn't happen. Our child tells us of many instances where classes are chaotic, and teachers do nothing to intervene. A few of the teachers seem to be interested in the students success, but most are lackluster, at best. Some of the teachers express their personal opinions regarding politics and races/religions, which is appropriate teachers should not attempt to sway students with their personal opinions in any way. Additionally, students' attitudes and behaviors are unacceptable in general there are students screaming swear words and racial epithets in the hallways daily, as well as making lewd sexual comments (which reflects poorly on the parents, but should NOT be tolerated at school). And...the dress code is a JOKE. Many of the students are half-naked, with their buttocks hanging out of their "shorts" (more like underwear!), and, other articles of inappropriate clothing are worn regularly, (VERY tight clothing, like revealing shirts). WHERE ARE THE ADMINISTRATORS?? Are they that AFRAID of parents that they don't send these kids home to change clothes?? Also, kids fight in the hallways and are very disruptive students jump on their desks, and do not get disciplined. This school year, our child has spent a copious amount of time with substitute teachers that are very rude & disrespectful, and hardly speak English. Is there no screening of these "teachers"?? We have been extremely disappointed by this school, especially since the test scores are consistently high. We can only figure that the parents of these high-scoring students make their kids study constantly. Lastly, we are astonished by the fact that students never have homework how does this prepare students for high school (much less college??). With over 1200 students, I can only surmise that students complete "homework" in class so that the teachers do not have to grade anything from home. Otherwise...a TERRIBLE idea. This does NOT promote self-regulation, or self-discipline, nor does it enforce time-management!! Overall...NOT a great place to send your kid. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, April 1, 2017

Principal Head avoids parents and students. There is complete lack of proper management and accountability at the school. Close Quote

by a teacher
Sunday, August 9, 2015

Awesome School in every aspect. Staff is outstanding. Kids WORK hard to make this school the best. Principal is the BEST ever Close Quote

by a student
Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I go here! This school is soooo much fun. :) From 6th grade to now 8th grade, it's been the best. Close Quote

by a student
Monday, August 8, 2011

Great school, so much better than Liberty Middle (Covington, Newton County) Close Quote

Schools Near Lakeside Middle 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 Algebra I (2026)	Milestones Assessment Biology (2026)	Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2026)			Milestones Assessment Science (2026)	Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2026)	Milestones Assessment HS Physical 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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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 Biology End of Course	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment HS Physical Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Lakeside Middle School	Public	6-8	2565 Echols Rd	Cumming	30041	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(678) 455-7311	1,513	90	16.7	14.7%	572 (37.8%)	45 (3.0%)	134 (8.9%)	709 (46.9%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	48 (3.2%)	89.9	43^rd of 578 public middle schools	92.6%		95.7	27^th of 585 public middle schools	95.4%	16	100.0		81.0	72.9	82.3		79.2	72.6	$11,576	$200	$11,376
Lanier Middle School	Public	6-8	6482 Suwanee Dam Rd	Sugar Hill	30518	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	No	(770) 945-8419	1,369	96	14.2	50.5%	443 (32.4%)	276 (20.2%)	399 (29.1%)	159 (11.6%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	88 (6.4%)	75.6	128^th of 578 public middle schools	77.9%		88.3	62^nd of 585 public middle schools	89.4%	66	100.0		59.5	65.2	63.0		62.9	48.9	$14,211	$496	$13,714
Riverwatch Middle School	Public	6-8	610 James Burgess Rd	Suwanee	30024	Gwinnett County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(678) 455-7311	1,455	79	18.4	13.1%	318 (21.9%)	80 (5.5%)	102 (7.0%)	898 (61.7%)	9 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (3.2%)	93.5	16^th of 578 public middle schools	97.2%		99.3	4^th of 585 public middle schools	99.3%	12	99.0		86.0	87.7	90.9		86.6	80.0	$10,969	$202	$10,767
Otwell Middle School	Public	6-8	605 Tribble Gap Rd	Cumming	30040	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 887-5248	1,062	75	14.1	46.0%	401 (37.8%)	56 (5.3%)	380 (35.8%)	197 (18.5%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (2.2%)	63.7	180^th of 578 public middle schools	68.9%		65	171^st of 585 public middle schools	70.8%	9	83.0		51.1	53.6	47.3		57.9	44.6	$14,462	$582	$13,880
South Forsyth Middle School	Public	6-8	4670 Windermere Parkway	Cumming	30041	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(770) 888-3170	1,319	71	18.6	7.9%	410 (31.1%)	34 (2.6%)	68 (5.2%)	753 (57.1%)	6 (0.5%)	4 (0.3%)	44 (3.3%)	94.3	14^th of 578 public middle schools	97.6%		99.1	5^th of 585 public middle schools	99.1%	9	99.4		91.8	87.1	87.3		84.1	83.6	$11,061	$200	$10,861
Piney Grove Middle School	Public	6-8	8135 Majors Rd	Cumming	30041	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(678) 965-5010	1,024	60	16.9	12.9%	262 (25.6%)	41 (4.0%)	89 (8.7%)	587 (57.3%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (4.0%)	92.4	27^th of 578 public middle schools	95.3%		98.7	9^th of 585 public middle schools	98.5%	18	99.5		82.2	85.0	87.5		84.2	76.8	$11,456	$203	$11,254
North Gwinnett Middle School	Public	6-8	170 Peachtree Industrial Blvd	Sugar Hill	30518	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	No	(678) 745-2300	2,360	139	16.9	21.3%	777 (32.9%)	284 (12.0%)	200 (8.5%)	968 (41.0%)	3 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	126 (5.3%)	93	21^st of 578 public middle schools	96.4%		98.9	7^th of 585 public middle schools	98.8%	14	98.1	96.9	81.5	87.6	87.7		85.6	78.7	$11,953	$445	$11,508
Buford Middle School	Public	6-8	2750 Sawnee Ave	Buford	30518	Gwinnett County	Buford City	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 904-3690	1,426	88	16.2	36.7%	640 (44.9%)	169 (11.9%)	384 (26.9%)	160 (11.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	73 (5.1%)	96.6	9^th of 578 public middle schools	98.4%		95.1	32^nd of 585 public middle schools	94.5%	23	100.0		72.2	75.2	88.9	68.0	66.5		$12,872	$319	$12,553
Vickery Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	6240 Post Rd	Cumming	30040	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	No	(770) 667-2580	1,058	58	18.2	14.0%	532 (50.3%)	39 (3.7%)	103 (9.7%)	341 (32.2%)	7 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (3.4%)	84.8	70^th of 578 public middle schools	87.9%		95	36^th of 585 public middle schools	93.8%	34	100.0		72.4	70.7	73.8		73.0	62.6	$11,305	$200	$11,105
Little Mill Middle School	Public	6-8	6800 Little Mill Rd	Cumming	30041	Forsyth County	Forsyth County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 965-5000	916	57	16.0	40.0%	662 (72.3%)	17 (1.9%)	189 (20.6%)	13 (1.4%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	31 (3.4%)	50.2	261^st of 578 public middle schools	54.8%		59	211^th of 585 public middle schools	63.9%	50	96.1		48.3	46.0	41.4		40.6	27.5	$12,527	$420	$12,107

Frequently Asked Questions about Lakeside Middle School

Is Lakeside Middle School a good school?

Yes. Lakeside Middle School ranks in the top 7.4% of Georgia middle schools.

How many students attend Lakeside Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,513 students attended Lakeside Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Lakeside Middle School?

Students at Lakeside Middle School are 47% Asian, 38% White, 9% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 3% African American.

What district is Lakeside Middle School in?

Forsyth 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.