Sandra Dunagan Deal Elementary

Sandra Dunagan Deal Elementary is a PK-5 school in Gainesville, GA, serving 762 students as part of Hall County Schools, where about 79% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school currently holds a 1-star rating, placing it in the 25th percentile statewide—below the district average but with some notable bright spots worth understanding.

One of the most interesting patterns is in math. In 4th grade, Deal students score nearly at the district average (41.4% proficient vs. 42.7%), making that grade a clear relative strength. However, by 5th grade, math proficiency drops to 27.5%—a 13.9-point decline that is the largest grade-to-grade drop among nearby schools. Science in 5th grade is also a concern at 20% proficiency, which is about 10 points below the district and 24 points below the state. When compared to Sardis Elementary School, a school just under 7 miles away with a similar student-teacher ratio and spending, Deal trails significantly in upper grades: Sardis posts 40% in 5th grade math and 35.1% in science, versus Deal’s 27.5% and 20%. This suggests that factors beyond resources—like instructional strategies or school culture—may be driving the difference.

There are also encouraging signs. Chronic absenteeism is just 14.6%, better than both the district (18.6%) and state (17.7%), meaning students are consistently showing up to learn. The student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 allows for meaningful individual attention. Subgroup data shows that special education students perform relatively well (38th percentile), while English language learners face the biggest challenges (8th percentile). Given the school’s high poverty rate, strengthening support for ELL students could be a key lever for improvement. The 4th grade success shows the school can approach district averages—scaling those practices to other grades, especially 5th, may be the most promising path forward.