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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Athens Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 13,866 students in Athens, GA (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,405 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Athens, GA are educated in public schools (compared to the GA state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Athens, GA are Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School and Classic City High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Athens, GA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Georgia public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Athens have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Georgia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public school average of 66% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Athens, GA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
757 N Chase St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-1081
Gr: PK-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
Timothy Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1900 Timothy Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0107
Gr: PK-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #33.
Classic City High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
440 Dearing Ext
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 353-2323
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #44.
Barrow Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
100 Pinecrest Dr
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 543-2676
Gr: PK-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #55.
South Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1630 New Kings Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Gr: PK-5 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
Clarke Central High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
350 S Milledge Ave
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,907 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #77.
Clarke Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1235 Baxter St
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 543-6547
Gr: 6-8 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Foothills Regional High School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2415 Jefferson Rd Ste B
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 795-2191
Gr: 9-12 | 1,475 students Student-teacher ratio: 51:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #99.
Barnett Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3220 Barnett Shoals Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5334
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1010.
Whitehead Road Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
555 Quailwood Dr
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7296
Gr: PK-5 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1111.
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2300 Danielsville Rd
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5203
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1212.
Burney-harris-lyons Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 Tallassee Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7208
Gr: 6-8 | 707 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1313.
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1150 Oglethorpe Ave
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0762
Gr: PK-5 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1414.
Cedar Shoals High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 Cedar Shoals Dr
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 546-5375
Gr: 9-12 | 1,489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1515.
Fowler Drive Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Fowler Dr
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5330
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1616.
Hilsman Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
870 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 548-7281
Gr: 6-8 | 624 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1717.
Whit Davis Road Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1450 Whit Davis Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 369-1036
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1818.
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
715 Fourth St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 369-1893
Gr: PK-5 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1919.
Gaines Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5333
Gr: PK-5 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2020.
Coile Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
110 Old Elberton Rd
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5318
Gr: 6-8 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2121.
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
205 Alps Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-2261
Gr: PK-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Athens, GA?
The top-ranked public schools in Athens, GA include Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School and Classic City High School.
How many public schools are located in Athens?
21 public schools are located in Athens.
What percentage of students in Athens go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Athens are educated in public schools (compared to the GA state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Athens?
Athens public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public schools average of 66% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Athens are often viewed compared to one another?

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