Summary:
Middle schools in zip code 30096 (Duluth, GA) serve grades 6-8 across three schools within the Gwinnett County School District, and they present a striking range of academic outcomes that closely track with economic disadvantage and attendance patterns.
Coleman Middle School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide. Its math proficiency rates are exceptional—62-72% proficient across grades 6-8, compared to district averages of 49-55%—and it also leads in advanced coursework with a 97.2% Algebra I pass rate. Coleman also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (8.6%) and the lowest economic disadvantage rate (46.55% free/reduced lunch). In contrast, Radloff Middle School struggles significantly, holding a 1-star rating and ranking in the 14th percentile. Its math proficiency rates hover around 19-22%, roughly 40-50 points below Coleman, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 21.3% is nearly 2.5 times higher. Duluth Middle School sits in the middle with a 2-star rating (43rd percentile), but shows a unique two-tiered profile: it achieves 95.7% proficiency in Algebra I and 100% in Biology, yet its standard grade-level math scores (31-39%) fall well below district averages, suggesting resources may be concentrated on advanced students while the majority struggle.
Notably, spending does not explain these differences—Radloff and Duluth both spend more per student ($15,294 and $15,329) than Coleman ($14,028), yet achieve worse results. All three schools have seen declining state rankings over the past three years, and Radloff's physical science proficiency of 17.9% versus the state's 60.9% represents the largest single-subject gap in the dataset. For parents, the takeaway is clear: Coleman offers consistently strong academics with low absenteeism, while Radloff faces significant challenges tied to high poverty and attendance issues, and Duluth offers excellent advanced coursework but weaker grade-level performance for the general student body.
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