Summary:
The 9 public schools in the 30248 zip code (Locust Grove, Georgia) serve approximately 7,412 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades, all within the Henry County School District, which ranks in the 30th percentile statewide.
For parents, the standout school in this area is New Hope Elementary, the only 3-star school in the zip code. It ranks 476th out of 1,219 Georgia elementary schools and exceeds district averages in every subject tested, while also posting the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (11.8%) and a favorable 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. This success is notable given that 58.8% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch. At the other end of the spectrum, Luella Middle School is the lowest-ranked school in the area (512th of 578 middle schools, 1 star) and has shown a steady decline in its ranking over three years. The two middle schools present a stark contrast: Locust Grove Middle boasts an extraordinary 90.7% Algebra I proficiency rate—nearly double the state average—but struggles with grade-level subjects like 8th grade science (10.1% proficiency), suggesting resources may be concentrated on advanced students. Meanwhile, Locust Grove High and Luella High School both post graduation rates above 93%, exceeding the state average by over 6 percentage points, despite feeding from middle schools with below-average test scores.
Chronic absenteeism is a growing concern, particularly at the high school level—Locust Grove High has a 27.2% rate and Luella High School sits at 23.6%, both well above the state average of 17.7%. Science proficiency is a systemic weakness across all grade levels, with most schools falling significantly below state averages. Per-student spending shows no clear correlation with outcomes: Locust Grove Elementary School spends the most ($15,566 per student) but ranks in the bottom third, while New Hope Elementary achieves the best results with less funding. Most schools in the area are losing ground relative to their peers, with only New Hope Elementary showing consistent strength. For parents, this area offers a mix of strong graduation rates and pockets of excellence, but also highlights the importance of researching individual schools—particularly the middle schools—to find the best fit for their child.
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