Summary:
Zip code 30286 in Thomaston, Georgia, is served by two elementary schools within the Thomaston-Upson County district, together educating roughly 1,925 students in grades PK-5, with every student qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
These two schools form a clear progression: Upson-Lee Primary School handles grades PK-2, while Upson-Lee Elementary School covers grades 3-5. The elementary school shows the most encouraging momentum. Its 5th-grade math proficiency jumped from 40.7% to 47.6% in one year, now exceeding the state average of 44.1%. Math scores also improve with each grade level—from 35% in 3rd grade to 47.6% in 5th—suggesting students make real academic gains as they progress through the school. The elementary school has rebounded to a 3-star rating and the 51st percentile statewide after a dip the previous year. Attendance is a notable strength at both schools: chronic absenteeism is 13.1% at the elementary school and 16.3% at the primary school, both better than the district's 19.3% and the state's 17.7%. This is especially impressive given the 100% poverty rate.
The biggest challenge is English Language Arts. Proficiency rates in 2024-2025 ranged from 23.6% in 3rd grade to 32.3% in 5th grade, running 10-11 points below state averages at every level. The primary school spends significantly more per student ($16,267 vs. $12,615), likely reflecting the extra staffing needs of early childhood education. One data quirk worth noting: school and district scores are identical in every subject because these two schools are the district's entire elementary presence. Overall, these schools are showing real promise in math and attendance, but closing the ELA gap will be critical to sustaining their upward trajectory.
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