Summary:
Zip code 30312 in Atlanta is home to four elementary schools within the Atlanta Public Schools district, serving approximately 2,128 students from Pre-K through 8th grade, with all schools serving predominantly low-income populations.
Parkside Elementary School is the clear standout in this area, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 61st percentile statewide. Parkside outperforms its local peers across nearly every subject, with 5th grade students achieving 67.8% proficiency in English Language Arts and 61.1% in Science—far exceeding district and state averages. The school also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the zip code at 16.4%, well below the state average. However, Parkside has seen a notable decline from its 76th percentile ranking the previous year, with drops in 5th grade math and science proficiency that warrant attention.
Wesley International Academy Charter demonstrates exceptional middle school performance despite mixed elementary results. Its 8th grade students achieved an impressive 83.3% proficiency in Algebra I—nearly double the district rate—and consistently exceed district averages in 8th grade science and social studies. This K-8 model appears to provide academic benefits through instructional continuity. In contrast, The John Hope-Charles Walter Hill Elementary Schools and Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School face significant challenges. Dunbar, with a 0-star rating and 3rd percentile ranking, struggles across all metrics and has a 37.7% chronic absenteeism rate—more than double the state average. A striking finding is the inverse relationship between spending and outcomes: Dunbar spends the most per student ($36,030) yet achieves the lowest results, while Parkside spends the least ($25,255) and performs best. Within this single zip code, there exists a 58-percentage-point gap in 3rd grade math proficiency between Parkside (47.3%) and Dunbar (11.8%), highlighting the profound impact of neighborhood-level factors on educational opportunity.
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