Schools in Zip Code 30079

Zip code 30079 in Scottdale, GA, is home to just one school: Robert Shaw Theme School, a small elementary school serving grades PK through 5 with 307 students in the DeKalb County School District.

Robert Shaw Theme School is an exceptional standout, earning 5-star ratings for three consecutive years and ranking as high as 38th out of 1,238 Georgia elementary schools (97th percentile). Its academic performance is nothing short of remarkable—test scores are more than double the district average in nearly every subject and grade. For example, in 2025-2026, 5th grade science proficiency hit 81.6% compared to just 30.4% district-wide, and 3rd grade math reached 84.2% versus 35.9% in the district. Even in its "lowest" ranked year, the school placed in the 91st percentile statewide. The school also boasts an incredibly low chronic absenteeism rate of 2.8%, compared to 26.7% for the district and 17.7% for the state—a nearly 10-fold difference that signals strong attendance and family engagement.

What makes this school particularly noteworthy is that it serves a 100% free/reduced lunch population, yet achieves results that defy expectations about poverty and academic outcomes. The school benefits from substantial resources, including $22,295 per-student spending and a favorable 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Its "Theme School" model appears highly effective, with year-over-year consistency—proficiency rates stayed above 69% across all subjects in both years of data. The widest gap versus the district is in 5th grade science (51.2 percentage points), suggesting an exceptionally strong science curriculum. While the state ranking has fluctuated slightly (38th to 78th to 110th), the school remains firmly in the top decile statewide. For parents, this school represents a proven example of educational excellence in a high-poverty setting, making it a compelling choice for families in the Scottdale area.