Summary:
ZIP code 30180 in Villa Rica, Georgia, is served by five elementary schools spanning three districts—Carroll County, Douglas County, and Paulding County—together educating roughly 2,900 students across grades K-5.
Ithica Elementary is the clear academic leader in the area, ranking in the 72nd percentile statewide with a 4-star rating—well ahead of its peers. It also posts the strongest math scores at every grade level, the highest science proficiency (54.3% vs. the 44.2% state average), the lowest chronic absenteeism (10.9%), and the lowest economic disadvantage rate (38.9% free/reduced lunch). Villa Rica Elementary is the next strongest, holding a steady 3-star rating and ranking in the 59th percentile, with solid science results (52.0%) and moderate math performance. New Georgia Elementary sits in the middle (53rd percentile, 3 stars) but shows a dramatic 5th-grade math drop from 58.1% proficiency in 3rd grade to just 31.3%. Glanton-Hindsman Elementary ranks in the 45th percentile with a 2-star rating, while Mirror Lake Elementary School trails the group at the 30th percentile with a 1-star rating, despite having the highest poverty rate (67.7%) and the second-highest per-student spending.
Several patterns stand out for parents. First, spending does not predict success: New Georgia spends the most per student ($17,638) yet ranks mid-pack, while Ithica spends the second-least ($12,901) and achieves the best results. Second, chronic absenteeism tracks closely with achievement—the two top schools have the lowest absenteeism rates, while the lower-performing schools hover near the state average of 17.7%. Third, 5th-grade math is a consistent weak spot across most schools, with four of five showing declines from 3rd-grade levels, suggesting a need for stronger upper-elementary math support. Finally, science is a relative strength, particularly in the Carroll County schools, where Ithica and Villa Rica both exceed the state average by significant margins. For families weighing options within this ZIP code, Ithica offers the strongest overall academic profile, while Mirror Lake’s volatility and resource-outcome disconnect warrant closer examination.
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