Below Average
#1977 of 2,268 schools in GA
Gaines Elementary School
Elementary School · Clarke County
900 Gaines School Rd, Athens, GA 30605
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Georgia schools
#1,977 of 2,268
In Athens
#19 of 21
public schools
In district
#19 of 21
Clarke County
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Gaines Elementary School
Elementary School in Athens · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hilsman Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cedar Shoals High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gaines Elementary School
Gaines Elementary School is a public elementary school in Athens, GA, part of Clarke County. Gaines Elementary School serves approximately 545 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Gaines Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,977 of 2,268 schools in GA.
Structured state assessment records for Gaines Elementary School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 6.2
- GA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Gaines Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gaines Elementary School — Students at Gaines Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.5/10.
How Gaines Elementary School Compares
See how Gaines Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
900 Gaines School Rd, Athens, GA 30605
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gaines Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Barrow Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ATHENS MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hilsman Middle School Athens | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Cedar Shoals High School Athens | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| ATHENS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Athens | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Barnett Shoals Elementary School Athens | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Whit Davis Road Elementary School Athens | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Barrow Elementary School Athens | 2.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Howard B. Stroud Elementary School Athens | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
| DOWNTOWN ACADEMY Athens | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Clarke Central High School Athens | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Winterville Elementary School Winterville | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Fowler Drive Elementary School Athens | 4.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Classic City High School Athens | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School Athens | 4.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Clarke Middle School Athens | 4.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Coile Middle School Athens | 4.6 mi | 4.0 |
| ATHENS ACADEMY Athens | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Athens | 4.2 mi | 3.6 |
| ATHENS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Athens | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Judia Jackson Harris Elementary Athens | 5.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Foothills Regional High School Athens | 5.4 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 30605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,188
Median Home Value
$279,200
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
Population
41,788
College Educated
52.6%
Homeownership
33.9%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
28.1%
Median Age
27.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Callaway Elementary School Lagrange, GA | 4.1 |
| DAVIS ACADEMY Atlanta, GA | 4.1 |
| Gracewood Elementary School Augusta, GA | 4.1 |
| Hartley Elementary School Macon, GA | 4.1 |
| Lawrenceville Elementary School Lawrenceville, GA | 4.1 |
| Lyman Hall Elementary School Gainesville, GA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gaines Elementary School
What grades does Gaines Elementary School serve?
Gaines Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Gaines Elementary School?
Gaines Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gaines Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gaines Elementary School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gaines Elementary School rank in GA?
Gaines Elementary School ranks #1,977 of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Gaines Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gaines Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Gaines Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gaines Elementary School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Gaines Elementary School a charter school?
No, Gaines Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gaines Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Gaines Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gaines Elementary School?
100.0% of students at Gaines Elementary 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 545
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Clarke County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (706) 357-5333
Resources & Links
District
Clarke County- District Enrollment
- 12,331
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,012
- District Rank
- #19 of 21
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