Summary:
ZIP code 30102 in Acworth, Georgia, is served by four elementary schools—Clark Creek Elementary School, Pitner Elementary School, Oak Grove Elementary School, and Allatoona Elementary School—spanning three districts (Cherokee County, Cobb County, and Bartow County), with a combined enrollment of 2,846 students in grades PK-5.
Allatoona Elementary School is the standout performer here, ranking 521st in the state (57th percentile) despite serving the highest-poverty student body (84.5% free/reduced lunch) and belonging to the mid-ranked Bartow County district. It beats Clark Creek Elementary School in overall state rank even though Clark Creek sits in the much higher-ranked Cherokee County. Allatoona also outperforms Oak Grove Elementary School in every subject and grade tested—for example, 47.6% vs. 27.5% proficient in 3rd-grade math. Pitner Elementary School (539th) and Clark Creek (618th) offer solid mid-range performance, though Clark Creek struggles significantly in 5th-grade science (29.5% proficient, a 23.8-point gap below its district average). Oak Grove has the lowest state rank (803rd) and has declined steadily over three years, despite having the best attendance (7.9% chronic absenteeism) and highest per-student spending ($18,015) in the group.
Key takeaways for parents: All schools in this ZIP code beat the state average for chronic absenteeism (17.7%), a positive community indicator. However, spending does not predict outcomes—the lowest-spending school (Clark Creek at $15,397) outperforms the highest-spending one (Oak Grove) in most metrics. Allatoona’s success despite high poverty suggests school-level factors like instruction and leadership matter more than demographics. Pitner shows grade-level inconsistency, with 3rd-grade math (53.2%) far exceeding 5th-grade math (42.7%). Since this ZIP code spans three districts with different reputations, parents should evaluate schools individually rather than relying on district rankings alone.
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