Summary:
Zip code 30137 (Emerson, GA) is home to just one middle school, Red Top Middle School, which serves grades 6-8 and is part of the Bartow County School District.
Red Top Middle School presents a fascinating paradox for parents to consider. On one hand, the school achieves remarkable success in advanced coursework—its Algebra I proficiency rate of 91.3% is nearly double the district average (53.9%) and far exceeds the state (48.1%). This is a standout achievement that suggests a strong accelerated math program for select students. However, this success does not carry over to grade-level subjects. In 8th-grade math, only 34.6% of students are proficient, compared to 57.9% district-wide, and 8th-grade science proficiency sits at just 12.6%—less than half the state rate of 29.7%. Social studies (24.3%) also lags significantly. The school's overall state ranking has been stable in the lower-middle tier (42nd percentile, 2 stars), with modest year-over-year improvements in most subjects except 7th-grade math.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Red Top offers exceptional opportunities for advanced math students but struggles with core middle school instruction, particularly in 8th grade. The school benefits from a favorable 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio and below-average chronic absenteeism (14.8% vs. 17.7% statewide), which is commendable given that 83.48% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Per-student spending is notably high at $17,824, yet outcomes remain in the bottom half of the state, raising questions about resource allocation. The most urgent academic priorities are clearly 8th-grade science and closing the 23.3-point gap with district peers in 8th-grade math. Parents should weigh the school's exceptional Algebra I track against its significant challenges in core subjects when making enrollment decisions.
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