Summary:
ZIP code 30294 in Ellenwood, Georgia, is served by six schools—three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools—spanning the Clayton County and DeKalb County districts, with a combined enrollment of roughly 5,000 students and all schools serving predominantly low-income families.
The standout success story is East Clayton Elementary School, which jumped from the 10th to the 31st percentile in state rankings in a single year. Its 3rd-grade math proficiency (38.7%) and 4th-grade math proficiency (44.1%) now exceed the Clayton County district averages, and its chronic absenteeism rate (13.6%) is less than half the district average. By contrast, Utopian Academy for the Arts Elementary School spends a remarkable $37,621 per student—nearly triple the next highest school—yet ranks in the 6th percentile statewide, showing that higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes. Among high schools, Morrow High School stands out for its 92% graduation rate, which exceeds both the district (86.3%) and state (87.2%) averages, even as its test scores remain roughly 20-25 points below state proficiency levels. Cedar Grove High School has seen its ranking decline over three years and spends 50% more per student than Morrow, yet posts lower graduation rates (82.7%).
The most urgent concern is chronic absenteeism at the high school level: both Morrow (40.3%) and Cedar Grove (42.0%) have rates more than double the state average of 17.7%, while elementary schools like East Clayton and Utopian Elementary actually beat the state average at 13.6%. Utopian Academy for the Arts Middle School shows pockets of strength, with 7th-grade math approaching the district average, but its 8th-grade social studies proficiency (10.8%) trails the district rate (23.0%) significantly. For parents, the data suggests that East Clayton Elementary offers the strongest academic trajectory, Morrow High School provides the best path to graduation, and addressing attendance at the high school level is critical for improving outcomes across the area.
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