Upson-Lee Elementary School

Upson-Lee Elementary School in Thomaston, GA, serves 932 students in grades 3-5 as part of the Thomaston-Upson County district, and it has earned a 3-star rating with a state ranking that has climbed from the 37th percentile in 2017-2018 to the 51st percentile today.

One of the school's standout strengths is attendance. The chronic absenteeism rate of 13.1% is significantly better than both the district (19.3%) and the state average (17.7%), and this advantage has held for five straight years—a remarkable feat for a school where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In math, the picture is encouraging: proficiency rises from 35% in 3rd grade to 43.6% in 4th grade and 47.6% in 5th grade, with the 5th grade figure actually exceeding the state average of 44.1%. Science performance is also competitive, with 42.4% proficiency in 5th grade, nearly matching the state's 44.2%. The school spends $12,615 per student, which is less than its district sibling Upson-Lee Primary School ($16,267), suggesting efficient use of resources.

When compared to nearby schools, the results are telling. Pike County Elementary School, just 13 miles away, posts higher test scores, but it serves a very different population—only 42.8% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch versus Upson-Lee's 100%. A fairer comparison is Lamar County Elementary School, which also serves 100% free/reduced lunch students. Here, Upson-Lee clearly outperforms: 47.6% versus 25.1% in 5th grade math, and 42.4% versus 32.9% in science. Subgroup data shows African American students rank at the 50th percentile statewide, while white and multi-racial students rank lower, suggesting areas for growth. Note that English Language Arts scores for the current year have not yet been released; they will arrive in December. Overall, this is a school on an upward trajectory, delivering solid results despite significant economic challenges.