Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 30253

Middle schools in zip code 30253 (McDonough, Georgia) serve grades 6-8 across three schools within the Henry County district, which ranks in the 30th percentile statewide. Impact Academy Middle School is the clear standout, ranking 275th out of 578 schools (52nd percentile, 3 stars) and outperforming its neighbors in every subject and grade level tested. By contrast, McDonough Middle School ranks 489th (15th percentile) and Eagle's Landing Middle School ranks 497th (14th percentile), both earning 1-star ratings.

Impact Academy's advantages are striking across multiple metrics. Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 7.7%, compared to 15.9% at Eagle's Landing and 24.1% at McDonough Middle—meaning nearly one in four McDonough students misses significant school time. Impact Academy also has the lowest poverty rate (51% free/reduced lunch vs. 72-79% at the other schools) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (15.3 vs. 16.2 and 18.2). In 6th grade math, 48.4% of Impact Academy students are proficient versus just 13.0% at Eagle's Landing and 16.4% at McDonough Middle. The gap persists in 8th grade science (23.1% vs. 7.3% and 8.9%) and social studies (27.1% vs. 16.1% and 10.8%).

All three schools share a surprising strength in advanced coursework. Algebra I pass rates range from 57.7% at Eagle's Landing to 68.7% at McDonough Middle, all exceeding the state average of 48.1%. However, Eagle's Landing shows a concerning downward trend, slipping from the 22nd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 14th percentile now, with its Algebra I pass rate dropping nearly 14 points. McDonough Middle has improved from the bottom 10% to the 15th percentile over three years. The strongest takeaway: attendance and poverty levels track almost perfectly with achievement, suggesting that addressing chronic absenteeism—especially at McDonough Middle—could be the most impactful strategy for improving outcomes across this community.