Summary:
Zip code 30137 in Emerson, Georgia, is served by a single elementary school, Emerson Elementary School, part of the Bartow County School District, which enrolls students in grades PK through 5.
Emerson Elementary School presents a mixed picture for parents to consider. The school has experienced a significant drop in its state ranking, falling from the 48th percentile in 2024-2025 to the 27th percentile in 2025-2026, which corresponds to a shift from a 2-star to a 1-star rating. The most alarming trend is a dramatic decline in 5th grade performance: math proficiency plummeted from 33.9% to 16.7%, and science proficiency fell from 35.6% to 15.2% year-over-year. This "performance cliff" is not reflected in lower grades, as 3rd grade math (49%) actually exceeds both district and state averages. The school also shows relative strength in upper-grade ELA from the most recent available data (2024-2025), with 4th and 5th grade scores exceeding state averages. However, the school faces challenges including a high-poverty population (77.92% free/reduced lunch) and a chronic absenteeism rate of 18.6%, which exceeds both district and state averages.
Despite these challenges, Emerson Elementary School is well-resourced, spending $20,203 per student and maintaining a favorable 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. The disconnect between these substantial resources and the academic outcomes, particularly in 5th grade, suggests the issue may be cohort-specific or related to instructional transitions rather than a school-wide deficiency. Parents should note that the current test score release does not include ELA scores (expected in December), so the most recent ELA data is from the prior year. The school's demonstrated ability to exceed state averages in upper-grade ELA indicates that success is achievable, making the 5th grade math and science decline a priority area for investigation and improvement.
Thank you for your feedback!