Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 30236

There are 8 elementary schools in zip code 30236 (Jonesboro, GA), all part of the Clayton County school district, serving grades PK-5 (with two Mount Zion campuses split by grade level) and a student population where 99-100% qualify for free/reduced lunch, reflecting a high-poverty area.

For parents, the standout choice is Kay R Pace Elementary School of the Arts, the only school in the area to reach the 50th percentile statewide. It leads in nearly every metric: 5th grade math proficiency of 48.1% (above the state average), a remarkable 3% chronic absenteeism rate (vs. 28% district and 17.7% state averages), and a 3-star rating. In contrast, Lee Street Elementary School is the most challenged, ranking in the bottom 6% of Georgia schools with a 0-star rating, 37.1% chronic absenteeism, and just 9.1% 3rd grade math proficiency. Arnold Elementary School has declined from a 3-star to 1-star rating, while Kilpatrick Elementary School shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 12th to 44th percentile in one year with 5th grade math surging from 13% to 44.7%. Other schools like Suder Elementary School, James Jackson Elementary School, Mount Zion Elementary School, and Mount Zion Primary all fall below state averages in most subjects.

Key takeaways: chronic absenteeism is the strongest predictor of performance—schools with low absenteeism (Kay R Pace at 3%, Arnold at 9.1%) outperform those with high rates (Lee Street at 37.1%, Suder at 31.4%). Spending does not correlate with outcomes; Suder spends the most per student ($17,275) yet ranks low, while Kay R Pace spends the least ($14,661) and achieves the best results. Several schools show a "5th grade slump" in math, but Kay R Pace and Kilpatrick buck this trend. The Mount Zion campuses show learning gaps compounding by 5th grade, suggesting early intervention is critical. Overall, Kay R Pace proves success is possible despite poverty, while Lee Street needs urgent intervention.