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Average

#1443 of 2,268 schools in GA

Hilsman Middle School

Middle School · Clarke County

870 Gaines School Rd, Athens, GA 30605

Enrollment

606

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#1,443 of 2,268

In Athens

#12 of 21

public schools

In district

#13 of 21

Clarke County

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Hilsman Middle School

5.6/10

Middle School in Athens · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gaines Elementary School

4.1/10

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

Cedar Shoals High School

4.8/10

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

About Hilsman Middle School

Hilsman Middle School is a public middle school in Athens, GA, part of Clarke County. Hilsman Middle School serves approximately 606 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Hilsman Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,443 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Hilsman Middle School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • GA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Hilsman Middle 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 Progress3.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.2% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.3% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,012
Chronic Absenteeism33.2%

Hilsman Middle School — Students at Hilsman Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 47.9% (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
74%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
91%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
26%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
20.2%
ELA
26.3%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Hilsman Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
36th percentile in GA
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

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

870 Gaines School Rd, Athens, GA 30605

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hilsman Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Clarke Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Coile Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 4.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Gaines Elementary School Athens 0.1 mi 4.1
Cedar Shoals High School Athens 0.6 mi 4.8
ATHENS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Athens 1.8 mi 7.6
Barnett Shoals Elementary School Athens 2.0 mi 7.6
Whit Davis Road Elementary School Athens 2.1 mi 5.1
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School Athens 3.2 mi 4.4
Barrow Elementary School Athens 2.8 mi 8.0
DOWNTOWN ACADEMY Athens 3.1 mi 5.8
Clarke Central High School Athens 3.4 mi 6.5
Winterville Elementary School Winterville 3.8 mi 5.9
Fowler Drive Elementary School Athens 4.3 mi 5.6
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School Athens 4.1 mi 8.8
Classic City High School Athens 3.9 mi 4.3
Coile Middle School Athens 4.5 mi 4.0
Clarke Middle School Athens 4.1 mi 7.4
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Athens 4.2 mi 3.6
ATHENS ACADEMY Athens 4.4 mi 6.7
ATHENS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Athens 5.4 mi 5.9
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary Athens 5.5 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
Evans Middle School Newnan, GA 5.6
Rossville Middle School Rossville, GA 5.6
Martha Puckett Middle School Jesup, GA 5.5
Social Circle Middle School Social Circle, GA 5.5
South Paulding Middle School Dallas, GA 5.5
Warner Robins Middle School Warner Robins, GA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hilsman Middle School

What grades does Hilsman Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Hilsman Middle School?

Hilsman Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 606 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Hilsman Middle School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hilsman Middle School rank in GA?

Hilsman Middle School ranks #1,443 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Hilsman Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hilsman Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Hilsman Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hilsman Middle School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Hilsman Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Hilsman Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

93.9% of students at Hilsman 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
63 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Clarke County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.2%

District

Clarke County
District Enrollment
12,331
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,012
District Rank
#13 of 21

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