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Needs Improvement

#2200 of 2,268 schools in GA

Hightower Elementary School

Elementary School · DeKalb County

4236 Tilly Mill Rd, Doraville, GA 30360

Enrollment

619

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#2,200 of 2,268

In Doraville

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#126 of 131

DeKalb County

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Hightower Elementary School

3.0/10

Elementary School in Doraville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chesnut Elementary School

8.9/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Peachtree Middle School

6.7/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hightower Elementary School

Hightower Elementary School is a public elementary school in Doraville, GA, part of DeKalb County. Hightower Elementary School serves approximately 619 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Hightower Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,200 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Hightower Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.9
  • GA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Hightower 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 metrics
Student Progress1.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-6.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.5% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.6% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.2 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment6.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism34.2%

Hightower Elementary School — Students at Hightower Elementary School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
41.8% (2024 GA)

Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
80%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
21%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
13%
2024
Math
14.5%
ELA
14.6%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Hightower Elementary School Compares

See how Hightower Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in GA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4236 Tilly Mill Rd, Doraville, GA 30360

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hightower Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vanderlyn Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Dunwoody), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dunwoody Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Dunwoody), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chesnut Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Dunwoody), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Doraville, see our Doraville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Chesnut Elementary School Dunwoody 1.1 mi 8.9
Peachtree Middle School Atlanta 1.2 mi 6.7
Huntley Hills Elementary School Chamblee 1.3 mi 5.8
Doraville United Elementary School Atlanta 1.6 mi 7.7
KINGSWOOD PRESCHOOL Atlanta 1.6 mi
Oakcliff Elementary School Doraville 1.7 mi 4.8
CHAMBLEE METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Chamblee 1.6 mi
Sequoyah Middle School Atlanta 2.0 mi 2.4
Chamblee High School Chamblee 2.0 mi 6.7
Tapestry Public Charter School Doraville 2.2 mi 7.5
NORTHWOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL - DORAVILLE Atlanta 2.3 mi
Kingsley Elementary School Dunwoody 2.3 mi 6.1
Dunwoody Elementary School Dunwoody 2.2 mi 9.0
Chamblee Middle School Chamblee 2.3 mi 8.3
Cary Reynolds Elementary School Atlanta 2.2 mi 5.0
Vanderlyn Elementary School Dunwoody 2.6 mi 9.1
Dunwoody High School Dunwoody 2.7 mi 6.2
DUNWOODY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Atlanta 2.8 mi
Dresden Elementary School Chamblee 3.4 mi 2.9
ST LUKE'S LITTLE SAINTS PRESCHOOL & KINDERGTEN Dunwoody 3.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,239

Median Home Value

$398,500

Median Rent

$1,623/mo

Population

16,428

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

56.5%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

33.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barton Chapel Elementary School Augusta, GA 3.0
Cowan Road Elementary School Griffin, GA 3.0
Largo-Tibet Elementary School Savannah, GA 3.0
Porter Elementary School Macon, GA 3.0
Atkinson Elementary School Griffin, GA 2.9
Bethlehem Elementary School Locust Grove, GA 2.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hightower Elementary School

What grades does Hightower Elementary School serve?

Hightower Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hightower Elementary School?

Hightower Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 619 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hightower Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hightower Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hightower Elementary School rank in GA?

Hightower Elementary School ranks #2,200 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Hightower Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hightower Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Hightower Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hightower Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Hightower Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Hightower Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Hightower Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hightower Elementary School?

97.7% of students at Hightower 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
619
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DeKalb County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
91,398
Schools in District
131
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#126 of 131

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