Summary:
Zip code 30436 in Lyons, Georgia, is home to three elementary schools within the Toombs County district, serving approximately 1,541 students across grades PK-5 in a predominantly low-income area.
For parents, the standout choice is Toombs Central Elementary School, which earned a 4-star rating and ranks in the 79th percentile statewide. It significantly outperforms Lyons Upper Elementary in key subjects, particularly in 4th-grade math (68.5% vs. 46.5% proficient) and 5th-grade science (74.1% vs. 58.0%). Both schools exceed state averages in science, but Toombs Central is the clear academic leader despite both serving nearly identical high-poverty populations. Lyons Primary School serves only grades PK-2 and has no test scores, but it invests the most per student ($14,369) and maintains a solid 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio, making it a strong foundation for early learners.
Chronic absenteeism is a concern across all three schools, with rates from 14.6% at Toombs Central to 20.1% at Lyons Primary, all above the state average of 17.7%. Interestingly, Lyons Upper has the lowest per-student spending ($13,365) and the smallest class sizes (12.2:1), yet shows the weakest performance, suggesting factors like instructional quality or school culture matter more than resources alone. The district itself holds a 3-star rating, but the gap between Toombs Central and Lyons Upper—22 percentage points in 4th-grade math—shows that school choice within this zip code can have a major impact. While year-to-year scores fluctuate, Toombs Central proves that high-poverty schools can achieve strong results, making it the top recommendation for families seeking the best academic outcomes in this area.
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