Summary:
There are five elementary schools serving grades PK-5 in Augusta’s 30909 zip code, all part of the Richmond County school district, which collectively enroll about 2,800 students in an area facing significant socioeconomic challenges, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 82% to 100%.
Families in this zip code will find a stark two-tier system. Lake Forest Hills Elementary School is the clear standout, holding the highest state ranking (36th percentile, 2 stars) and the only school in the group to have recently earned a 3-star rating. It leads in nearly every subject, posting 3rd grade math proficiency of 45.3% versus the district’s 24.6%, and it does so while spending less per student ($14,617) and maintaining the largest class sizes (14.6:1) — suggesting efficiency and strong school culture matter more than raw funding. Belair Elementary School is the other relative bright spot, showing the most upward momentum (rising from the 19th to 30th percentile over three years) and boasting the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the group at 11.0%, far below the district’s 30.3%. By contrast, Sue Reynolds Elementary School, Bayvale Elementary School, and Copeland Elementary School all rank in the bottom 3rd percentile statewide, with proficiency rates often half or a third of their higher-performing neighbors.
Attendance is a powerful predictor here: the two best schools have the lowest chronic absenteeism, while Bayvale’s rate (37.2%) is more than double the state average and corresponds to just 2.6% proficiency in 5th grade science. Notably, all five schools see proficiency decline from 3rd to 5th grade, and higher spending at Copeland ($17,671) and Bayvale ($16,458) does not translate into better outcomes. While these schools outperform the struggling district average, they still trail state benchmarks — even Lake Forest Hills’ best 5th grade science score (28.6%) falls 15 points below the state’s 44.2%. For parents, Lake Forest Hills and Belair offer the strongest options, with Belair’s improving trajectory and low absenteeism making it a school to watch.
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