Summary:
ZIP code 30331 in southwest Atlanta is served by three middle schools—Sandtown Middle School, Ralph Bunche Middle School, and KIPP Soul Academy—which together educate roughly 1,892 students in grades 6–8 across two different districts.
Sandtown Middle School is the clear standout in this area. It ranks 282nd out of 578 Georgia middle schools (51st percentile) with 3 stars, and it improved 34 spots from the prior year. Sandtown outperforms the other two schools dramatically in math, science, and social studies at every grade level. For example, 8th grade math proficiency is 39.9% at Sandtown versus 20.9% at Ralph Bunche and 32.0% at KIPP Soul. Sandtown also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (17.8%) and the lowest poverty rate (62.45% free/reduced lunch) of the three. Its Algebra I End-of-Course proficiency is an impressive 86%, far above the state average of 48.1%. Fulton County, Sandtown's district, ranks in the 77th percentile statewide.
KIPP Soul Academy sits in the middle, ranking 442nd (24th percentile) with 1 star, though it has improved its rank each of the past three years. Ralph Bunche Middle School faces the most significant challenges, ranking 520th (10th percentile) with a 40.5% chronic absenteeism rate—meaning 2 in 5 students miss significant school time. Notably, both Ralph Bunche and KIPP Soul spend far more per student ($25,279 and $27,198 respectively) than Sandtown ($16,211), yet achieve worse outcomes. Ralph Bunche does show a hidden strength: 80% of its Biology End-of-Course test-takers are proficient, more than double its district average. Both Ralph Bunche and KIPP Soul are part of Atlanta Public Schools, which ranks in the 40th percentile statewide. For families in 30331, Sandtown is clearly the strongest option based on current data.
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