Fairyland Elementary School

Fairyland Elementary School in Lookout Mountain, GA, is a small, high-achieving public school serving 294 students in grades PK through 5, and it consistently ranks among the very best elementary schools in the state.

Fairyland’s academic performance is extraordinary, especially when compared to nearby schools. In the most recent testing year, 3rd grade math proficiency reached 85%, compared to just 33% for the Walker County district and 48.3% statewide. The school’s 4th grade math proficiency of 90.2% is more than double the district average. This excellence extends across subjects—5th grade science proficiency hit 82.5%, far above the state’s 44.2%. When you look at neighboring schools, the gap is striking: Chattanooga Valley Elementary trails Fairyland by 28 points in 3rd grade math, while Cherokee Ridge Elementary and Stone Creek Elementary lag by more than 50 points. Even schools with similar poverty levels, like Boynton Elementary and Chickamauga Elementary, score 18 to 31 points lower in 3rd grade math.

Fairyland also stands out for its dramatic improvement in attendance. After chronic absenteeism rates of 23–25% in recent years, the school cut that rate to just 6.4%—far better than the district’s 25.4% and the state’s 17.7%. The school maintains a favorable 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio and spends about $16,185 per student, which is actually less than some lower-performing neighbors like Rossville Elementary. While 36% of Fairyland students qualify for free/reduced lunch—a lower rate than nearby schools—the school’s success goes beyond demographics. It ranks in the 98th percentile statewide, a remarkable feat for a school within a district that earns only 2 stars. For parents, Fairyland represents a proven, consistently excellent option that delivers top-tier results across every subject and grade level.