Hess Academy

Hess Academy in Decatur serves 70 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in this highly educated suburban community. The small school maintains an exceptional 5.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention that many larger schools cannot provide. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10, Hess Academy ranks 176th among Georgia's 433 elementary schools, placing it in the 60th percentile statewide.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to student development in an intimate educational environment where every child is known by name. The school serves families in the 30033 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $105,260 and 70% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.6% and median home values of $401,000 reflect a stable, family-oriented community that values education.

This affluent suburban setting provides students with access to educational resources and family support that complement the school's academic mission. Hess Academy's small size creates a close-knit school community where students can develop strong relationships with both peers and teachers throughout their elementary and middle school years. The school operates within Decatur's large suburban area, offering families the benefits of both community connection and metropolitan access.

With an enrollment of 70 students, Hess Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.4:1, Hess Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Hess Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.