Summary:
Zip code 30546, serving the Hiawassee area of Georgia, is home to just one elementary school: Towns County Elementary School, which enrolls 490 students in grades PK through 5 within the Towns County district.
Towns County Elementary School stands out for its exceptional attendance and strong subject-area performance despite serving a population where 96% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school's chronic absenteeism rate is just 5.6%, dramatically lower than the 17.7% state average, and it maintains a favorable 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio with per-student spending of $18,915. In 5th-grade science, the school has consistently outperformed the state by about 12 percentage points (56.4% vs. 44.2% in the most recent year), and 4th-grade English Language Arts scores were notably strong at 57.8% proficiency compared to 39.3% statewide. However, math performance shows significant volatility: 3rd-grade math jumped from 28.8% to 47.9% proficiency year-over-year, while 4th-grade math plummeted from 60.9% to 35.5%. The school's overall state ranking has declined for three consecutive years, from the 72nd percentile (4 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 57th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026.
For parents, this school offers a supportive environment with small classes and high attendance, which are strong foundations for learning. The science program is a clear strength, and 4th-grade reading results are impressive. The main concern is inconsistency in math scores across grade levels and the downward ranking trend, which may reflect broader statewide improvements rather than a decline in this school's quality. With its high per-student investment and low absenteeism, Towns County Elementary School demonstrates resilience and pockets of excellence, though families should be aware of the fluctuating math performance when considering grade-level transitions.
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