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The 11 Worst Schools In Georgia Today

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The 11 Worst Schools In Georgia Today

Like most parents who want the best for their child, enrolling your young learner in any of the worst schools in Georgia isn't among your options. Rather, you'd want your child to join the state's best, top-ranked learning institutions.

But while most parents mostly focus on searching for the best schools in Georgia, taking your time to review some of the lowest-ranked facilities is also worth your effort as it could enhance your search for the best learning experience for your child. If this is what you're looking for, then you have vast options in Georgia, as you're about to learn from this detailed review of the state's worst schools.

All that said, let's explore some of the lowest-ranked facilities in the state based on their greatschools.org test scores, graduation rates, and college readiness index.

Barton Chapel Elementary School

2329 Barton Chapel Rd, Augusta, GA 30906

Barton Chapel Elementary School, the first entry on our comprehensive review, comes in as the worst elementary school in the state. The institution opened its doors in 1970 and serves scholars residing on post at Fort Gordon. The Title 1 institution facility offers standard educational programs and special education for students with learning difficulties.

Barton Chapel Elementary School serves about 400 PK-5 scholars from different corners of Augusta City. The school has 53% of school boys, while their female counterparts for 47%, with 98% face financial hurdles.

Barton Chapel Elementary School may not be attractive for parents seeking high-ranking institutions. The school has a 2/10 GreatSchools.org summary rating. In addition, students performed below expectations in their respective subjects, earning the facility a 1/10 on test scores.

Only 10% of the Barton Chapel student population passed math proficiency in the last statewide examinations, yet Georgia recorded an average of 43%. In addition, 14% passed English, while the state average was 43%, and the fraction of learners who passed social studies and science was 3% and 24%, respectively.

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From this performance, your child will likely lag behind their counterparts from different corners of the state. But you can still consider the facility if you want a comprehensive special needs education program.

W.S. Hornsby Elementary School

310 Kentucky Ave, Augusta, GA 30901

W.S. Hornsby Elementary School ranks second on our list of Georgia's worst elementary schools. The public school opened in 1960 in Augusta, GA, and adopted its current name after separating from its middle school section. The school currently serves about 570 students, with 56% males and 44% females. About 98% of students face financial hurdles, hence rely on the school's financial aid.

Financial limitations are among the greatest factors contributing to W.S. Hornsby Elementary School's low student performance. On GreatSchools.org, the institution earned a 1/10 summary rating and rates 1/10 for test scores. In addition, learners still lag in individual subject performance, with just 7% passing English and 16% excelling in math.

W.S. Hornsby Elementary School is ranked 934 among Georgia elementary schools and 23 among its peers in Richmond County Public Schools. In addition, the school boasts a Reading Proficiency Rank of 1,238 and ranks 1,162 out of 1245 for math proficiency.

While W.S. Hornsby Elementary School may not stand out among the =high performers, the institution boasts one of the best student-teacher ratios, at 13:1. Also, 94% of faculty members have national certifications and a minimum of three years in the field.

Elementary school kids playing with blocks.
W.S. Hornsby Elementary School ranked # 934 among Georgia elementary schools and 23 among Richmond County public schools.

©Twinsterphoto/Shutterstock.com

Fox Elementary School

600 38Th St, Columbus, GA 31904

Columbus's Fox Elementary School sums up our elementary school section. The facility services PK-5 to 351 scholars from the first ends of the city setting, and the composition and male and female students are on par. In addition, 97% need financial aid.

Fox Elementary School is our third worst elementary school in Georgia. The facility boasts a GreatSchools.org Summary rating of 3/10, which is below average. Test scores are among the areas where students exhibited poor performance, and the review site awards the institution a 1/10 for this.

At Fox Elementary, only 10% passed English and math, compared to Goergia's average pass rate of 43% for both subjects. In addition, a mere 2% passed social studies and those who passed science form just 20%. These numbers indicate that you're child will likely perform dismally at their grade level.

Fox Elementary School doesn't stand out amongst its peers at the state level in terms of performance. The institution ranks 934 in the state and 24th in Muscogee County Public Schools District. However, the school boasts high recruitment standards, with 96% of the 23 faculty members holding national accreditation.  

Dekalb Alternative School

5855 Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 

Dekalb Alternative School opens our middle school section and ranks as the worst in this category. The facility is in Stone Mountain and serves 79 scholars, one of the lowest middle school populations in the state. This group is predominantly male, comprising 77% schoolboys and 23% schoolgirls. About 99% of learners face economic limitations.  

Despite maintaining high academic standards, Dekalb Alternative School's rankings don't impress many Georgia parents. The facility's summary rating on GreatSchools.org is 1/10, and the institution scores the same rating for test scores. Therefore, when you enroll your child in this school, they likely won't perform exceptionally at their grade level.

This fact is evident in Dekalb School's test scores, where just 6% passed Biology 1, while the percentage of those who passed physical science was 4%. In addition, the school recorded 2% and 4% pass rates in American Literature and US History, respectively. Only 3% of students passed math and reading during the last academic year.

Dekalb School has several notable positives, though. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 2:1, the best in the district and one of the best in Georgia. In addition, all 35 tutors are certified and work alongside two full-time counselors to optimize learning experiences.

Elementary school kids in a classroom.
Dekalb Alternative School has one of the lowest middle school populations in the state with only 79 learners.

©Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com

New Beginning Learning Center

1301 E College St, Bainbridge, GA 39819

Bainbridge's New Beginning Learning Center also ranks among our worst schools. The publicly funded institution is known for its excellent combination of challenging and fair educational opportunities, supportive learning environments, and enduring partnerships. About 83 students study here, a population of 36% females and 64% males.

New Beginning Learning Center doesn't deliver outstanding academic performance, as evident in its GreatSchools.org summary rating of 2/10. Students in this school aren't competitive at grade levels, earning the institution a 1/10 test score rating on the platform.

For instance, less than a percentage of scholars passed American literature, US history, biology I, and economics. In addition, only 5% of learners attained proficiency marks for math and reading. 

Fortunately, New Beginning Learning Center sticks to its objective of equipping learners to thrive in an interconnected world. In addition, the facility boasts a certified faculty team of dedicated and seasoned educators.

International Transition Center

1335 Old Norcross Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Lawrenceville's International Transition Center is our second-worst middle school. The public institution is famous for providing educational support and resources to students during a critical transition period. The facility serves 400 students ranging from grades 8 to 11. Among them, 46% are female, while 54% are male.

International Transition Center ranks as the third worst middle school on our review, with a 2/10 GreatSchools.org summary rating. Furthermore, the test scores for the last academic year were below average, with the school ranking at a mere 1/10. This number results from the low student pass rates in respective subjects.

For instance, less than 1% of learners at the International Transition Center passed geometry, algebra I, economics, and US history. In addition, only 5% made it past the biology I pass mark, way lower than Georgia's average pass rate of 44%.

International Transition Center also falls short in the latest statewide rankings. The school takes up position 413 among its peers in Georgia and ranks 26th in the Gwinnett County School District. However, the school's student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is better than that of the district. In addition, 34% of the 33 educators in the school are certified.

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What makes the International Transition Center stand out is its primary goal of ensuring students successfully navigate the challenges of transitioning to new academic environments.

Kids high fiveing in a classroom.
International Transition Center has a teacher-student ratio of 12:1 and serves 400 students from grade 8-11.

©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com

Delta Innovative School

1081 Barwick Rd, Quitman, GA 31643

Delta Innovative School concludes our middle school section. The facility is in the remote rural setting of Quitman and is reputable for its innovative and forward-thinking education programs. In addition, the staff and community aim to provide a dynamic learning environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Delta Innovative School has only 93 scholars in grades 6 to 12. Among the students, 35% are female, while 65% are male, with approximately 82% of enrolled students belonging to minority groups.

Delta Innovative School isn't among Georgia's best-performing high schools. The facility has a 1/10 GreatSchools.org summary rating, with a 1/10 for its test scores. Both ratings are below average, suggesting learners have low chances of excelling at their grade level.

The review site awards Delta Innovative School a 1/10 rating for student progress. Your child will likely make less progress while advancing their academic years. In addition, the school has a 68%-four-year high school graduation rate compared to the state's 83% average. Less than a percentage participated in AP courses, and 3% of learners attended dual enrolment classes.

There's light at the end of the tunnel for Delta Innovative, as the school has implemented vast academic advancement programs. In addition, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, way better than most high schools in the district and state.

Skyview High School 

5134 Old National Hwy, College Park, Georgia

Skyview is among the few fully accredited public charter high schools that rank among the worst in the state. The school offers accelerated credit-earning opportunities, but you'll like the fact that the school doesn't charge tuition. In addition, staff members here aim to support students at risk of not graduating by providing them with a path to earning a standard high school diploma.

Skyview's GreatSchools.org Summary rating is 1/10, and the school attains a 1/10 test score rating. In addition, the school achieves a 1/10 student progress rating on the review site.

Skyview High School is far below most schools in the state in key college and career readiness indicators. GreatSchools.org awards the facility a 1/10 for college readiness, and the school has a four-year graduation rate of 3% versus the state average of 83%. Learners who participate in AP courses form less than 1%, the same as those under dual enrollment.

In the last academic year, the facility ranked 13,383 nationally, 311 in the state, and 152 in the Atlanta metro area. The facility also ranks 14th out of 19 Fulton County high schools and 1,103 among the 1,936 charter high schools.

High school students in class with laptops.
Skyview High School offers learners accelerated credit-earning opportunities and is one of few schools that don't charge tuition.

©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

Perry Career Academy – Eula Wilburn Ponds Perry Center For 

137 Spring St, Jonesboro, Georgia 

Perry Career Academy concludes our high school's section. The facility boasts one of the most diverse student populations, catering to 911 scholars spanning grades 7 to 12. This population is predominantly male, comprising 56% schoolboys and 44% schoolgirls.

Perry Career Academy boasts a 2/10 GreatSchools.org summary rating and scores a 1/10 for students' latest test results. The facility also rakes in a 3/10 for student progress, meaning your child is less likely to improve as they enter the new academic year.

Regarding college readiness, Perry Career Academy has a below-average score of 1/10. The institution's average graduation rate for the last four years is 35%, while the state recorded an average of 83% during the same period. In addition, only 1% of learners are under dual enrolment.

Fortunately, not every news from Perry Career Academy is bad news. For instance, the school has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, which is better than the district's average. In addition, 64% of the 65 educators in the school have the relevant certification, and a majority of faculty members are sufficiently experienced.

Paine College

1235 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30901

Paine College is the first item in our higher learning category and ranks the worst in the state regarding graduation rates.

The institution opened its doors through the joint efforts of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. It first opened its doors in 1869 and was the brainchild of Bishop Lucius Henry Holsey.

Since its early years, the school has continued to encapsulate its identity as a church-affiliated institution dedicated to providing a superior education in the liberal arts. This approach to learning aligns with the college's founding objectives and serves as a comprehensive framework for its operational focus.

Paine College emphasizes academic excellence, moral and spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal growth. However, the facility's ultimate goal is to prepare morally centered individuals for leadership roles and meaningful service.    

Unfortunately, the higher learning institution boasts a four-year graduation rate of 10%, while its six-year graduation rate is 18%. In addition, the school has an 18% retention rate.

College kids seated at a table.
Paine College opened its doors in 1869 through the joint efforts of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.

©Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com

Brewton-Parker College

201 David-Eliza Fountain Circle, Mount Vernon, GA 30445

Brewton-Parker College sums up our list of Georgia's worst schools. The private (not-for-profit) four-year institution is in Mount Vernon, GA, and is reputable as a comprehensive Georgia Baptist facility.

Brewton-Parker College integrates biblical truth into academic pursuits and emphasizes character development, servant leadership, and active social participation. This strategy has enabled the institution to provide an educational experience.

The different learning programs at this higher learning institution empower students holistically. In addition, the experience fosters lifelong learning and prepares scholars to serve others in the name of Christ.

Unfortunately, the school ranks as the second worst in terms of graduation rates, with a 14% four-year graduation rate and a six-year graduation rate of 31%. In addition, the school boasts a 46% retention rate.

How do you know the best school for your child?

If you're like most parents in Georgia, you're probably prioritizing the schools with the highest possible rankings in statewide examinations. Therefore, very few of the above schools may attract you.

However, statewide rankings are only one factor when searching for the best school for your young scholar. For the best pick, you must also consider other vital indicators.

For instance, you may have noticed several schools with special needs programs on this list. While their rankings are low, these schools provide the best learning experience for learners with unique learning needs. In addition, some low-ranking schools have impressive student-tutor ratios, which guarantees the specialized attention you need for your child.

Other important factors include the distance between the facility and your home or workplace, tuition, and school culture. Those looking for higher learning institutions should consider the student-faculty ratio, graduation rate, cost of education, and the programs offered.  

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  • The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
  • Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
  • Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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