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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.

Walnut Grove Elementary School

Q: Is Walnut Grove Elementary School a good school?

Walnut Grove Elementary School ranks 394 th of 1222 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

394^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,222 Georgia Elementary Schools

Better than 68% of Georgia elementary schools

Summary

Walnut Grove Elementary School in Covington, GA, serves 721 students in Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the high-performing Walton County district, which ranks in the 80th percentile statewide. The school itself holds a solid mid-tier position, ranking in the 68th percentile for the 2025-2026 school year, with 56% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch—a key factor to keep in mind when reviewing its results.

The most impressive story here is 5th-grade science. Proficiency jumped from 37.8% in 2022-2023 to 54.3% this year—well above the district (46.2%) and state (44.2%) averages. That’s a remarkable 16.5-point turnaround, and it puts Walnut Grove ahead of nearby Atha Road Elementary (34.3%) and Bay Creek Elementary (28%), though still behind Youth Elementary (69.3%) and Sharon Elementary (57.9%). The school also earns a 4-star rating for its special education students (71st percentile statewide), a clear strength. However, there’s a noticeable gender gap: girls rank in the 72nd percentile while boys sit at the 61st, suggesting an opportunity to better support male students. Math performance is mixed—4th grade beats the state average, but 3rd and 5th grades are only in line with it.

Walnut Grove has also made big strides in reducing chronic absenteeism, dropping from 23.6% in 2021-2022 to 14.5% now—better than both the district (17.8%) and state (17.7%). That improvement likely supports the academic gains seen in science. When compared to its highest-achieving peer, Youth Elementary (a 5-star school just 4 miles away), Walnut Grove’s lower scores align with its higher poverty rate (56% vs. 42%) and higher absenteeism—pointing to challenges of circumstance rather than instructional quality. Given that it sits near lower-performing schools in Newton County and Rockdale County, Walnut Grove’s mid-tier ranking is actually quite respectable.

721

Students ?

14.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,827

Per pupil spending ?

56.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

460 Highway 81 S
Covington, GA 30014

(770) 784-0023

District: Walton County

Students who attend Walnut Grove Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Youth Middle School
High:	Walnut Grove High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.0%

Hispanic:

11.5%

African American:

10.8%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare Walnut Grove Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 69th percentile in 2016 → 68th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Georgia median (68th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school51%

District avg52%

Georgia avg47%

394^th of 1,222

Georgia public elementary schools ?

Top 32%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 9Elementary Schools in the Walton County

41^st of 202Walton 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	63.9	394 of 1222	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	68.8	340 of 1238	72.5%	★★★★☆
2024	64.8	401 of 1236	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.2	415 of 1223	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.4	536 of 1220	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.7	436 of 1214	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.9	321 of 1234	74.0%	★★★★☆
2018	55.9	478 of 1209	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	53.6	502 of 1205	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	64.4	385 of 1233	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	68.9	324 of 1240	73.9%	★★★★☆
2014	66.9	458 of 1231	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	81.4	165 of 1225	86.5%	★★★★☆
2012	73.0	322 of 1201	73.2%	★★★★☆
2011	71.2	372 of 1212	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	58.4	558 of 1183	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	67.0	388 of 1133	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	69.8	333 of 1134	70.6%	★★★★☆
2007	82.6	135 of 1125	88.0%	★★★★☆
2006	79.6	160 of 1101	85.5%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	58.3	290 of 829	65.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	67.6	331 of 1189	72.2%	★★★★☆
2025	62.2	416 of 1224	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.2	434 of 1223	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.3	419 of 1212	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.1	509 of 1206	57.8%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2023	36.1	349 of 535	34.8%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	57.5	461 of 1186	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.3	305 of 1225	75.1%	★★★★☆
2024	66.5	376 of 1220	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.6	394 of 1210	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.7	569 of 1209	52.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	65.2	134 of 466	71.2%	★★★★☆
2024	41.4	251 of 487	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.9	154 of 455	66.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	38.0	438 of 703	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.7	426 of 769	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.1	415 of 772	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.1	464 of 775	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	25.5	603 of 779	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆

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)72nd percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2026)71st percentile+3 vs school

African American (2026)65th percentile-3 vs school

Male (2026)61st percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)38th percentile-30 vs school

Hispanic (2023)35th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Science54%+10 vs state

Mathematics50%~ state avg

2.8

4 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★1

2★1

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, December 8, 2017

Great school. Admin will help solve a problem if you go and speak with them. Yes, there are a lot of fundraisers, but no one is forced to participate. Love that many other parents are able to give their time to volunteer. My son is happy and learning, that is what matters most to me. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, October 3, 2014

Administration ruins this school; some teachers are great, and others not so. We moved here for this school and have been sadly disappointed. If you are one of the "good ol boys"...meaning...native to Walnut Grove, Loganville, Covington...then you are treated like gold. If you are an outsider...you ALWAYS will be! Fake people is the name on this place. Smile and nice to your face with southern charm all the while saying horrible things about people as soon as they turn the other way. The bullying is out of control and it's lead by the ADMINISTRATORS to the PTO and trickles down to the students. Not good role models for children; especially in this day and age. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, September 23, 2013

The best thing about this school is that the student's actually learn from a teacher. This is our 4th school and we found where we would like to stay. The other schools in Covington are too high tech and kids are learning from iPads and computers instead. My son was making C's and D's before we came to walnut grove where he has been A B honor roll ever since attending! The teachers themselves are a tiny "snooty" but at least my child is learning! Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, January 27, 2013

Candy is given as a reward on a daily basis, soda is also given, though less frequently. Every school function is treated as a fundraiser, for example: The students own "Fall Festival" (the only Halloween party they got to have)cost $8 per child and $5 for each additional child. The "Father/Daughter" dance is coming up and costs $15 plus $7 for each additional daughter. Pretty ridiculous when you consider 50% of the students recieve free or reduced lunches, how can most families afford that?. Outside time is rare and on most days the kids have "Inside Recess" which is basically sitting in the classroom. This school definitely does not teach the students to have a healthy lifestyle. Close Quote

Schools Near Walnut Grove Elementary 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 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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th 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
Walnut Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	460 Highway 81 S	Covington	30014	Newton County	Walton County	No	No	No	No	(770) 784-0023	721	51	14.1	56.2%	519 (72.0%)	78 (10.8%)	83 (11.5%)	6 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	32 (4.4%)	63.9	394^th of 1222 public elementary schools	67.8%		68.8	340^th of 1238 public elementary schools	72.5%	54		49.6	53.6	47.2				54.3				$13,827	$537	$13,291
Youth Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4009 Center Hill Church Rd	Loganville	30052	Walton County	Walton County	No	No	No	No	(770) 554-0172	756	50	15.0	41.7%	548 (72.5%)	56 (7.4%)	96 (12.7%)	8 (1.1%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (5.8%)	91.1	117^th of 1222 public elementary schools	90.4%		91.3	113^th of 1238 public elementary schools	90.9%	4		74.1	71.4	68.4				69.3				$12,746	$384	$12,363
Sharon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2700 White Rd	Loganville	30052	Walton County	Walton County	No	No	No	No	(678) 684-2850	712	54	13.1	56.0%	358 (50.3%)	130 (18.3%)	160 (22.5%)	25 (3.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (5.2%)	75.6	265^th of 1222 public elementary schools	78.3%		73.4	290^th of 1238 public elementary schools	76.6%	25		57.9	52.1	64.9				57.9				$14,238	$516	$13,722
Flint Hill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1300 Airport Road	Oxford	30054	Newton County	Newton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 787-1330	848	61	13.8	100.0%	208 (24.5%)	470 (55.4%)	113 (13.3%)	13 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (5.2%)	6	1203^rd of 1222 public elementary schools	1.6%		13.8	1118^th of 1238 public elementary schools	9.7%	85		18.4	16.2	8.0				11.4				$15,625	$1,181	$14,444
Atha Road Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	821 H D Atha Rd	Monroe	30655	Walton County	Walton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 266-5995	771	56	13.8	59.5%	466 (60.4%)	168 (21.8%)	73 (9.5%)	15 (1.9%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (6.0%)	58.1	453^rd of 1222 public elementary schools	62.9%		59.6	440^th of 1238 public elementary schools	64.5%	13		53.9	63.1	41.7				34.3				$14,002	$998	$13,003
Hightower Trail Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2510 Highway 138 NE	Conyers	30013	Rockdale County	Rockdale County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 388-0751	500	41	12.3	93.6%	72 (14.4%)	300 (60.0%)	97 (19.4%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	26 (5.2%)	12	1126^th of 1222 public elementary schools	7.9%		19.8	1002^nd of 1238 public elementary schools	19.1%	124		23.1	29.7	14.1				15.4				$16,180	$1,094	$15,086
Bay Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	100 Homer Moon Rd	Loganville	30052	Walton County	Walton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 466-2271	776	51	15.1	69.5%	124 (16.0%)	378 (48.7%)	171 (22.0%)	40 (5.2%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	58 (7.5%)	37.2	710^th of 1222 public elementary schools	41.9%		49.8	568^th of 1238 public elementary schools	54.1%	142		52.2	43.1	25.0				28.0				$12,989	$902	$12,087
House Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3100 Zingara Road	Conyers	30012	Rockdale County	Rockdale County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 483-9504	623	55	11.2	91.5%	72 (11.6%)	116 (18.6%)	411 (66.0%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.2%)	34	771^st of 1222 public elementary schools	36.9%		29.6	839^th of 1238 public elementary schools	32.2%	68		37.4	48.0	25.4				32.7				$16,932	$1,525	$15,408
Loganville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4889 Bay Creek Church Road	Loganville	30052	Walton County	Walton County	No	No	No	No	(678) 684-2840	951	62	15.4	48.1%	504 (53.0%)	213 (22.4%)	142 (14.9%)	24 (2.5%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	65 (6.8%)	84.1	187^th of 1222 public elementary schools	84.7%		83.9	190^th of 1238 public elementary schools	84.7%	3		60.0	71.8	71.0				56.7				$12,029	$207	$11,822
Newton County STEAM Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	10245 Eagle Dr	Covington	30014	Newton County	Newton County	No	No	No	No	(770) 784-2959	1,095	62	17.5	52.2%	422 (38.5%)	502 (45.8%)	86 (7.9%)	14 (1.3%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	68 (6.2%)	90.1	125^th of 1222 public elementary schools	89.8%		88.6	141^st of 1238 public elementary schools	88.6%	16	92.3	77.1	68.5	69.3	69.6	63.2	80.4	59.2	47.5	54.1	84.6

Frequently Asked Questions about Walnut Grove Elementary School

What district is Walnut Grove Elementary School in?

Walton County

What is the racial makeup of Walnut Grove Elementary School?

Students at Walnut Grove Elementary School are 72% White, 12% Hispanic, 11% African American, 4% Two or more races.

Is Walnut Grove Elementary School a good school?

Walnut Grove Elementary School ranks 394^th of 1222 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Walnut Grove Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 721 students attended Walnut Grove Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Walnut Grove Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Walnut Grove Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Youth Middle School
High : Walnut Grove High School

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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.