Summary:
Zip code 31322 in Pooler, Georgia, is home to two elementary schools—West Chatham Elementary School and Pooler Elementary School—both serving grades PK-5 within the Savannah-Chatham County district, which holds a 2-star rating and ranks 117th out of 201 districts statewide.
West Chatham is the larger school (796 students) and clearly the stronger performer. It ranks 660th in Georgia (46th percentile) with a 2-star rating, while Pooler ranks 868th (29th percentile) with just 1 star. West Chatham beats Pooler in nearly every subject, most notably in 5th grade math (39.0% vs. 24.6% proficiency) and 5th grade science (40.0% vs. 32.8%). West Chatham also shows a steady upward trajectory, climbing from the 31st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 46th percentile now, with strong year-over-year math gains across all grades. Pooler, by contrast, has slipped from the 35th to the 29th percentile over the same period. Interestingly, West Chatham achieves these better results while spending significantly less per student ($16,853 vs. $20,367) and with a higher student-teacher ratio (14.6 vs. 11.1). Pooler does have one bright spot: its 3rd grade ELA proficiency (31.9%) exceeds both West Chatham (25.0%) and the district average (26.2%), though this strength does not carry into later grades.
Both schools serve high-poverty populations (77-86% free/reduced lunch) and trail state averages in all subjects, which is common for schools with such demographics. Chronic absenteeism is near the state average (17.7%) at both schools—17.6% at West Chatham and 16.8% at Pooler—which is a positive sign. For parents, West Chatham appears to be the more effective school, delivering better outcomes with fewer resources and showing clear momentum. Pooler’s higher spending and smaller classes have not translated into stronger academics, suggesting its resources may not be optimally deployed. While neither school meets state benchmarks, West Chatham’s consistent improvement makes it the standout choice in this area.
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