Summary:
Zip code 30125, serving the Cedartown area of Georgia, is home to a single middle school, Cedartown Middle School, which educates students in grades 6 through 8 within the Polk County School District.
Cedartown Middle School is a high-poverty school, with 80% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, yet it is showing meaningful signs of academic progress. The school has improved its state ranking significantly over three years, jumping from the 39th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 53rd percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 3-star rating. This upward trajectory is highlighted by a remarkable 10.2 percentage point gain in 6th grade math proficiency, which rose from 22.5% to 32.7%. While math scores still trail state averages by 7 to 11 points, the school excels in other areas. Its 8th grade science proficiency rate of 34.8% surpasses the state average of 29.7%, and its 8th grade social studies proficiency of 41.5% is a standout, leading the district by 12.6 points and slightly edging out the state average. The school also maintains a chronic absenteeism rate of 15.5%, which is below the state average of 17.7%, a positive indicator given its economic challenges.
Performance varies by grade level, with 8th grade math (35.8%) outpacing both 6th (32.7%) and 7th grade (30.6%), making 7th grade the relative weak spot in mathematics. With per-student spending of $10,946 and a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, resources appear modest, but the recent gains suggest interventions may be working. It is important to note that current English Language Arts (ELA) scores have not yet been released; the most recent data from 2024-2025 showed proficiency rates between 26.8% and 30.4%, well below state averages. The upcoming December ELA results will be crucial to determining whether the school's overall improvement extends to literacy.
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