Oconee County Elementary School

Oconee County Elementary School in Watkinsville, GA, serves 404 students in grades 3-5 and is part of the highly rated Oconee County district, which ranks in the 99th percentile statewide.

This school stands out for its exceptional attendance and strong academics. Chronic absenteeism is just 3.3%—far below the state average of 17.7%—and has improved steadily over the past four years. In math, the school shines: 82.9% of 3rd graders, 74.8% of 4th graders, and 73.3% of 5th graders scored proficient or above on the Milestones Assessment, roughly 25-30 points above state averages. The school also shows particular strength in supporting male students, who rank in the 94th percentile statewide. While science scores (63% proficient) are solid and well above the state average, they trail the district average by about 4 points—a gap that has persisted for several years. The school maintains a 5-star rating and ranks in the 92nd percentile statewide, though its most recent ranking (103rd) is a slight dip from the prior year.

For context, the contrast with nearby Clarke County schools is striking. Schools like Barrow Elementary School, Barnett Shoals Elementary School, and Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School rank between the 2nd and 67th percentiles, with chronic absenteeism rates of 15.8-33% and much higher poverty levels. Oconee County Elementary also achieves these results efficiently, spending about $15,302 per student—significantly less than Clarke County schools, which spend $22,000-$26,500 per student. The school sits just 0.17 miles from Oconee County Primary School (grades PK-2), creating a seamless educational pathway for families in the area.