Summary:
Zip code 30134 in Douglasville, Georgia, is home to two public high schools—Douglas County High School and South Paulding High School—serving grades 9-12 and roughly 3,839 students across two different districts.
Both schools earn 3-star ratings, but they take different paths to get there. Douglas County High School ranks higher (163rd vs. 189th) and posted a dramatic 94-position jump in state rankings this year. It also leads in graduation rate (94.0% vs. 91.3%), has a lower dropout rate (2.0% vs. 2.7%), and outperforms South Paulding in every EOC subject—Algebra I (43.8% vs. 32.4%), Biology (45.6% vs. 43.3%), and US History (45.6% vs. 44.3%). This is notable because Douglas County HS serves a much more economically disadvantaged population (70.3% free/reduced lunch vs. 46.9%) and spends slightly less per student ($11,846 vs. $12,258). However, chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at Douglas County HS at 36.1%—more than double the state average—while South Paulding’s rate is a more manageable 22.9%.
Both schools exceed the state graduation rate (87.2%), and both show strong year-over-year improvement in Algebra I and Biology. US History is a shared strength, with both schools beating the state average (38.5%). Algebra I remains the biggest challenge, especially at South Paulding, which trails the state by nearly 16 points. South Paulding’s dropout rate (2.7%) also exceeds the state average, despite its lower absenteeism and better district context (Paulding County ranks 87th vs. Douglas County’s 109th). For parents, Douglas County HS offers stronger academics and graduation outcomes despite economic hurdles, while South Paulding provides better attendance and a more resourced environment—but with weaker test scores and a higher dropout rate.
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