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Excellent

#330 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 15% in state

Cook County Middle School

Middle School · Cook County

1601 N Elm St, Sparks, GA 31647

Enrollment

666

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sparks

#2 of 2

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#42 of 477

In district

#2 of 4

Cook County

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Cook County Middle School

Cook County Middle School serves 666 students in grades 6-8 with an impressive track record of academic achievement. Located at 1601 N Elm St in Sparks, Georgia, this regular public school has earned recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools, ranking #77 out of 2,271 Georgia schools and placing in the 97th percentile statewide. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, allowing for more individualized attention.

The school's academic performance is particularly strong in mathematics, where 72% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels. Reading and English Language Arts show room for growth, with 33% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. Cook County Middle School's exceptional performance is noteworthy given its community context.

The school serves a diverse student population in an area where the median household income is $42,938 and nearly a quarter of residents face economic challenges. Despite these circumstances, the school has achieved an outstanding 8.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, reflecting its success in supporting student achievement. The school sits in a rural area near the town of Sparks, serving a close-knit community of approximately 3,270 residents in the surrounding area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Cook County Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Math vs. State Avg+1.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,197

Cook County Middle School — Students at Cook County Middle School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.1%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
34%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
28%
2024
Math
43.4%
ELA
33%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Cook County Middle School Compares

See how Cook County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in GA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

1601 N Elm St, Sparks, GA 31647

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cook County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hahira Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Hahira), with a comparable rating. Another option is Berrien Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Nashville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Pine Grove Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Valdosta), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sparks, see our Sparks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Cook Elementary School Sparks 0.2 mi 8.2
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Adel 0.7 mi 7.2
Cook Primary School Adel 1.9 mi 7.3
Cook High School Adel 3.5 mi 5.8
Berrien Academy Performance Learning Center Nashville 10.5 mi 7.1
Hahira Middle School Hahira 12.1 mi 7.6
Berrien Elementary School Nashville 11.0 mi 8.1
Berrien Middle School Nashville 11.1 mi 7.0
Hahira Elementary School Hahira 12.4 mi 8.2
Berrien High School Nashville 12.2 mi 4.7
Berrien Primary School Nashville 12.6 mi 5.4
Odom Elementary School Moultrie 13.8 mi 6.6
North Brooks Elementary School Morven 16.0 mi 5.6
Omega Elementary School Omega 16.2 mi 7.0
VALWOOD SCHOOL Hahira 17.1 mi 6.1
LIBERTY FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Moultrie 15.4 mi
Pine Grove Elementary School Valdosta 17.3 mi 8.2
Pine Grove Middle School Valdosta 17.3 mi 7.0
Norman Park Elementary School Norman Park 17.0 mi 8.8
HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Valdosta 18.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 31647 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,298

Median Home Value

$109,200

Median Rent

$888/mo

Population

3,064

College Educated

11.9%

Homeownership

54.3%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

27%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cook County Middle School has a median household income of $41,298. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,200, with a median rent of $888/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
McCleskey Middle School Marietta, GA 8.0
Red Bud Middle School Calhoun, GA 8.0
Arthur Williams Middle School Jesup, GA 7.9
Clarke Middle School Athens, GA 8.1
Lakeside Middle School Evans, GA 7.9
North Habersham Middle School Clarkesville, GA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cook County Middle School

What grades does Cook County Middle School serve?

Cook County Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Cook County Middle School?

Cook County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 666 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cook County Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cook County Middle School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cook County Middle School rank in GA?

Cook County Middle School is ranked #330 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Cook County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cook County Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cook County Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cook County Middle School has 34.1% math proficiency and 30.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cook County Middle School a charter school?

No, Cook County Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cook County Middle School a Title I school?

No, Cook County Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cook County Middle School?

70.1% of students at Cook County Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (570/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
666
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cook County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cook County
District Enrollment
3,068
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,353
District Rank
#2 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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