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#1182 of 2,268 schools in GA

Desana Middle School

Middle School · Forsyth County

625 James Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004

Enrollment

1,251

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Alpharetta

#28 of 30

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#233 of 477

In district

#14 of 42

Forsyth County

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Desana Middle School

DeSana Middle School serves 1,251 students in grades 6 through 8 in Alpharetta, part of Forsyth County. With 71 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 328th out of 2,271 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Georgia schools.

Students show particularly impressive achievement in mathematics, with 80% scoring proficient or above across grade levels, while 66% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading. These results reflect the school's solid academic foundation and contribute to its excellent 9.6 out of 10 academic score. DeSana Middle School draws families from an affluent and highly educated community.

The surrounding area has a median household income of $136,124 and a median home value of $530,400. With 72% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 4.5%, the 66,406-person community strongly values education. Located on James Road, DeSana Middle School sits in Alpharetta's thriving large suburban setting, where families benefit from both excellent schools and the amenities of this well-established North Atlanta community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.8%
Math vs. State Avg+26.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,928

Desana Middle School — Students at Desana Middle School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.0%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 64.7%
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
69%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
61%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
68.9%
ELA
65.8%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Desana Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in GA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers

Location

625 James Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desana Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Webb Bridge Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hopewell Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Piney Grove Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Cumming), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Alpharetta, see our Alpharetta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Brandywine Elementary School Alpharetta 0.6 mi 6.6
Denmark High School Alpharetta 1.3 mi 5.3
Midway Elementary School Alpharetta 2.0 mi 6.9
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cumming 2.5 mi 5.3
Cambridge High School Milton 2.3 mi 5.4
KING'S RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alpharetta 2.4 mi 5.4
ST FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL Milton 2.9 mi 7.3
MONTESSORI AT VICKERY Cumming 3.3 mi 8.3
Vickery Creek Elementary School Cumming 3.4 mi 4.1
Cogburn Woods Elementary School Alpharetta 3.1 mi 8.0
Hopewell Middle School Alpharetta 3.1 mi 8.0
Vickery Creek Middle School Cumming 3.5 mi 4.6
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Alpharetta 3.2 mi
MCGINNIS WOODS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Alpharetta 3.3 mi 8.5
Creek View Elementary School Alpharetta 3.8 mi 8.8
Alpharetta High School Alpharetta 3.9 mi 5.8
Manning Oaks Elementary School Alpharetta 3.9 mi 7.8
PRESTON RIDGE MONTESSORI Alpharetta 4.2 mi
Piney Grove Middle School Cumming 3.6 mi 6.5
Webb Bridge Middle School Alpharetta 4.3 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30004 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$147,996

Median Home Value

$583,700

Median Rent

$1,839/mo

Population

67,850

College Educated

72.1%

Homeownership

75.6%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desana Middle School has a median household income of $147,996. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $583,700, with a median rent of $1,839/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Camden Middle School Kingsland, GA 6.3
Freedom Middle School Stone Mountain, GA 6.3
General Ray Davis Middle School Stockbridge, GA 6.3
Grovetown Middle School Grovetown, GA 6.3
Jones Middle School Buford, GA 6.3
McNair Middle School College Park, GA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desana Middle School

What grades does Desana Middle School serve?

Desana Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Desana Middle School?

Desana Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,251 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desana Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Desana Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desana Middle School rank in GA?

Desana Middle School is ranked #1182 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Desana Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desana Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Desana Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desana Middle School has 63.0% math proficiency and 64.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desana Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Desana Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

24.0% of students at Desana 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,403/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alpharetta). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,251
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Forsyth County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forsyth County
District Enrollment
54,984
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,993
District Rank
#14 of 42

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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