Best Schools in Atlanta, Georgia
216 schools · 119 Elementary · 30 Middle · 42 High · 25 Other
Choosing a school in Atlanta?
Use this page to compare every school in Atlanta by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mary Lin Elementary School
Elementary · Atlanta Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Heards Ferry Elementary School
Elementary · Fulton County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Resurgence Hall Middle Academy
Middle · State Specialty Schools Ii- Resurgence Hall Middle Academy. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Atlanta for 2026 are Mary Lin Elementary School (9.6/10), Heards Ferry Elementary School (9.6/10), and Resurgence Hall Middle Academy (9.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
216
138 public · 78 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$464,765
home value · ACS
Districts
16
serving the city
Schools
216
138 public · 78 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$464,765
home value · ACS
Districts
16
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Atlanta schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +16.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Atlanta schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Atlanta
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 216). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary Lin Elementary School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Heards Ferry Elementary School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Resurgence Hall Middle Academy | 9.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Jackson Elementary School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Springdale Park Elementary School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Morningside Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Morris Brandon Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Charles R. Drew Charter School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Oak Grove Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Globe Academy Charter School I | 9.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $91,092
- Median home value
- $464,765
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 58%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 48%
37% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Atlanta compares
Georgia rank
#121 of 240
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Georgia avg (6.3)
Median household income
$91k
131% of Georgia median
Schools in this city
197
Education Snapshot
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta's school landscape stretches across 16 districts and 216 schools, with total enrollment reaching approximately 113,775 students. Among the 197 schools carrying a MySchoolScout composite rating, the city averages 6.5/10 — above Georgia's statewide average of 6.3/10. Elementary campuses dominate the level mix at 119, alongside 42 high schools, 30 middle schools, and 25 combined or specialized programs. Charter schools form a significant slice: 34 operate citywide, representing roughly one in six Atlanta schools and expanding options beyond traditional district assignment. Atlanta's median household income of $92,257 runs 16% above Georgia's $79,605 state median, and 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Those income and credential figures add real context to the city's 6.5/10 composite, which already edges Georgia's 6.3/10 average, for parents comparing schools across all 16 Atlanta districts.
About Schools in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta's public school landscape is broad and performance-driven, with 136 ranked public schools spanning a wide range of quality. The city average sits at 6.6 out of 10, but that number obscures real variation — 63 schools, nearly half of all ranked public schools, score 7 or higher. Parents willing to research neighborhood by neighborhood will find a market with genuine standouts at every level.
At the top, Mary Lin Elementary leads the city with a 9.6 out of 10, the highest score among all ranked Atlanta public schools. Close behind it, Burgess-Peterson Elementary and Resurgence Hall Middle Academy both score 9.5, with Parkside Elementary and Bolton Academy Elementary each earning a 9.1. That cluster of high-performing schools signals that Atlanta has developed real depth at the elementary level, with competitive options across multiple neighborhoods rather than a single outlier carrying the rankings.
The middle tier is where parents need to pay the closest attention. With the city average at 6.6, roughly half of Atlanta's ranked schools fall below that mark. That gap between the top performers and the broader average is significant — a 9.6 and a 6.6 represent meaningfully different academic environments. School boundaries in Atlanta can shift those outcomes considerably, so verifying which schools are actually accessible based on a family's address is a critical first step before drawing any conclusions from ratings alone.
Practically speaking, Atlanta rewards parents who go beyond the neighborhood default. The city's concentration of high scorers — nearly half of all ranked schools clearing the 7-out-of-10 threshold — means that with targeted research, families have real options. Start with MySchoolScout's boundary tools to confirm eligibility, then compare individual school scores against the city average of 6.6 as a baseline. Schools scoring 8 and above are meaningfully outperforming the Atlanta norm. For families prioritizing elementary years, the top of Atlanta's rankings is especially strong, with four elementary schools scoring 9.1 or higher — a practical sign of where the city's educational strengths are most concentrated.
Elementary Schools
119 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 509 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 686 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.6 |
| 3 | 493 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.5 |
| 4 | 427 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.5 |
| 5 | 750 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 |
| 6 | 895 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 7 | 959 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 8 | 388 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.2 |
| 9 | 1,036 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.2 |
| 10 | 568 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
Show all 119 elementary schools in Atlanta
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
30 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 133 students · 5th–8th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 1,056 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 551 students · 4th–6th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 234 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
| 5 | 213 students · 5th–8th | 8.1 |
| 6 | 963 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 344 students · 5th–8th | 7.7 |
| 8 | 1,555 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
| 9 | 774 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 10 | 1,208 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
Show all 30 middle schools in Atlanta
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
42 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 916 students · 6th–12th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 1,658 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 3 | 2,332 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 1,551 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 |
| 5 | 339 students · 6th–12th | 7.8 |
| 6 | 1,304 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 7 | 1,716 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 8 | 237 students · 6th–12th | 6.8 |
| 9 | 2,156 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 10 | 832 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
Show all 42 high schools in Atlanta
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
25 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 681 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 304 students · Kindergarten–11th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 291 students · Kindergarten–11th | 6.7 | ||
| 4 | 66 students · 1st–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 5 | 52 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 6 | 464 students · 2nd–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 7 | 9,762 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 8 | 76 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.3 | ||
Private Schools17 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Midtown International SchoolPrivate 158 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 84 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 25 other schools in Atlanta
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia · 216 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 31 ZIP codes
Median Income
$91,092
Median Home Value
$464,765
Median Rent
$1,627/mo
Population
961,594
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
48%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Community Profile
Atlanta has a median household income of $91,092. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $464,765, with a median rent of $1,627/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Georgia
- Elementary
- 119
- Middle
- 30
- High
- 42
- Other
- 25
School Districts (16)
Department of Juvenile Justice
28 schools · 422 students
Atlanta Public Schools
87 schools · 49,660 students
State Specialty Schools II- Atlanta Heights Charter School
1 school · 765 students
State Specialty Schools I- Ivy Preparatory Academy- Inc
1 school · 459 students
State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy
1 school · 9,762 students
State Specialty Schools II- Genesis Innovation Academy-Girl
1 school · 304 students
State Specialty Schools II- Genesis Innovation Academy-Boy
1 school · 291 students
State Specialty Schools II- SLAM Academy of Atlanta
1 school · 192 students
State Specialty Schools II- Ethos Classical Charter School
1 school · 535 students
State Specialty Schools II- Atlanta SMART Academy
1 school · 213 students
Cobb County
110 schools · 106,358 students
DeKalb County
131 schools · 91,398 students
Fulton County
106 schools · 88,043 students
State Specialty Schools II- DeKalb Brilliance Academy
1 school · 255 students
State Specialty Schools II- Resurgence Hall Middle Academy
1 school · 133 students
State Specialty Schools II- Destination Career Academy of GA
1 school · 605 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Georgia
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Atlanta, Georgia
How many schools are in Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta has 216 schools, including 138 public and 78 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Atlanta, Georgia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Atlanta is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Atlanta, Georgia?
The top-ranked school in Atlanta on MySchoolScout is Mary Lin Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Atlanta on MySchoolScout is Mary Lin Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Atlanta, Georgia?
The top-ranked middle school in Atlanta on MySchoolScout is Resurgence Hall Middle Academy with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best high school in Atlanta, Georgia?
The top-ranked high school in Atlanta on MySchoolScout is Charles Drew Charter Ja/sr Academy with a composite score of 8.8/10.
How many school districts serve Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta is served by 16 school districts: Department of Juvenile Justice, Atlanta Public Schools, State Specialty Schools Ii- Atlanta Heights Charter School, State Specialty Schools I- Ivy Preparatory Academy- Inc, State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy, State Specialty Schools Ii- Genesis Innovation Academy-girl, State Specialty Schools Ii- Genesis Innovation Academy-boy, State Specialty Schools Ii- Slam Academy of Atlanta, State Specialty Schools Ii- Ethos Classical Charter School, State Specialty Schools Ii- Atlanta Smart Academy, Cobb County, Dekalb County, Fulton County, State Specialty Schools Ii- Dekalb Brilliance Academy, State Specialty Schools Ii- Resurgence Hall Middle Academy, State Specialty Schools Ii- Destination Career Academy of Ga.
What is the education level in Atlanta, Georgia?
According to Census data, 58% of adults in Atlanta have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Atlanta, Georgia?
The median household income in Atlanta is approximately $91,092 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Atlanta, Georgia?
Yes, Atlanta has 78 private schools alongside 138 public schools. The top-rated private school is Atlanta International School - Druid Hills Campus with a score of 8.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Atlanta, Georgia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Atlanta is 11.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Atlanta, Georgia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Schools in Atlanta, GA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- The $1,700 Loophole: How the New Federal School Choice Tax Credit Lowers Private Tuition Billsschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Georgia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.