Average
#849 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 37% in state
Gaines Elementary School
Elementary School · Clarke County
900 Gaines School Rd, Athens, GA 30605
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Athens
#11 of 21
public schools
Georgia elementary schools
#583 of 1,301
In district
#12 of 21
Clarke County
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Gaines Elementary School
Gaines Elementary School is a public elementary school in Athens, Georgia, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 545 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. The teaching staff consists of 49 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education.
Gaines Elementary School is located in Clarke County and sits at 900 Gaines School Road, within a mid-size city setting that provides a diverse environment for learning and growth. While the school's academic score reflects room for improvement with an average proficiency rate of just 11% in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math across all grades, the community is committed to supporting student development and progress. Gaines Elementary School is situated in a vibrant city that offers many cultural and educational resources to its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Gaines Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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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 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How Gaines Elementary School Compares
See how Gaines Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 15.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 14% (2019) to 12.2% (2024).
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. Fowler Drive Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Winterville Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Winterville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Barrow Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.8 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 | 6.7 |
| Cedar Shoals High School Athens | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| ATHENS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Athens | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Barnett Shoals Elementary School Athens | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Whit Davis Road Elementary School Athens | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Barrow Elementary School Athens | 2.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Howard B. Stroud Elementary School Athens | 3.3 mi | 4.2 |
| DOWNTOWN ACADEMY Athens | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Clarke Central High School Athens | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Winterville Elementary School Winterville | 3.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Fowler Drive Elementary School Athens | 4.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Classic City High School Athens | 3.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School Athens | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Clarke Middle School Athens | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Coile Middle School Athens | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| ATHENS ACADEMY Athens | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Athens | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| ATHENS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Athens | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Judia Jackson Harris Elementary Athens | 5.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Foothills Regional High School Athens | 5.4 mi | 5.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gaines Elementary School has a median household income of $48,188. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $279,200, with a median rent of $1,104/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Annistown Elementary School Snellville, GA | 6.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary School Cartersville, GA | 6.9 |
| Demorest Elementary School Demorest, GA | 6.9 |
| Eastside Elementary School Cairo, GA | 6.9 |
| Heard Elementary School Franklin, GA | 6.9 |
| James Jackson Elementary School Jonesboro, GA | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #849 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Gaines Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gaines Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Gaines Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gaines Elementary School has 11.9% math proficiency and 11.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (706) 357-5333
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clarke County- District Enrollment
- 12,331
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,012
- District Rank
- #12 of 21
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 methodologyRelated reading
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