Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 30153

There are three elementary schools serving zip code 30153 in the Rockmart, Georgia area, spanning grades PK-5 and split between the Polk County and Paulding County districts, with enrollments ranging from roughly 640 to 760 students.

For parents comparing options, Sara M. Ragsdale Elementary is the clear academic leader. It holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 57th percentile statewide, far ahead of both Polk County schools. Ragsdale outperforms state averages in 4th and 5th grade math and leads the group in science proficiency (39.6%). It also spends the most per student ($14,671) and has the lowest poverty rate (61.85% free/reduced lunch). However, it has the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 22.7%. Eastside Elementary offers a solid, efficient alternative: despite the lowest spending ($12,663), it posts the best attendance in the area (12.7% chronic absenteeism, well below the state average) and outperforms its district in 3rd and 4th grade math. Its main weakness is a sharp drop in 5th grade math (24% proficiency) compared to earlier grades. Van Wert Elementary faces the greatest challenges—100% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch—but shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 18th to 32nd percentile in one year, with big gains in 5th grade math and science.

Key takeaways: District affiliation matters here, as Paulding County’s Ragsdale outperforms both Polk County schools despite serving a similar community. Spending alone doesn’t predict success—Eastside achieves competitive results with fewer dollars, while Van Wert’s higher spending hasn’t yet closed the gap. Attendance patterns are counterintuitive: the highest-poverty school has lower absenteeism than the more affluent Ragsdale. For parents, Ragsdale offers the strongest academics, Eastside provides stability and efficiency, and Van Wert is a promising turnaround story worth watching. Note that current-year English Language Arts scores are not yet available; last year’s data showed Ragsdale leading in that subject as well.