Average
#956 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 42% in state
Hilsman Middle School
Middle School · Clarke County
870 Gaines School Rd, Athens, GA 30605
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Athens
#12 of 21
public schools
Georgia middle schools
#178 of 477
In district
#13 of 21
Clarke County
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Hilsman Middle School
Hilsman Middle School is a regular public middle school in Athens, Georgia, nestled within Clarke County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade with an enrollment of 606 students and a supportive student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Hilsman Middle School offers personalized attention to its diverse group of learners.
Despite the current academic performance metrics showing room for improvement—the MySchoolScout Rating is 4.8 out of 10 and the school ranks 38th percentile among Georgia schools—Hilsman remains committed to nurturing student development. In recent standardized tests, only 26% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 20% achieved proficiency or higher in Math. Located in a mid-size city setting, Hilsman Middle School is part of the vibrant community of Athens, offering students access to cultural events and resources beyond the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hilsman Middle School — Students at Hilsman Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.9%
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: 6.1/10.
How Hilsman Middle School Compares
See how Hilsman Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 20.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 26.3% (2024).
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 8.1/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Coile Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 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 | 6.9 |
| Cedar Shoals High School Athens | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| ATHENS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Athens | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Barnett Shoals Elementary School Athens | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Whit Davis Road Elementary School Athens | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Howard B. Stroud Elementary School Athens | 3.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Barrow Elementary School Athens | 2.8 mi | 8.1 |
| DOWNTOWN ACADEMY Athens | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Clarke Central High School Athens | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Winterville Elementary School Winterville | 3.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Fowler Drive Elementary School Athens | 4.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School Athens | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Classic City High School Athens | 3.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Coile Middle School Athens | 4.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Clarke Middle School Athens | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Athens | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 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 Hilsman Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Albany Middle School Albany, GA | 6.7 |
| Glynn Middle Brunswick, GA | 6.7 |
| Screven County Middle School Sylvania, GA | 6.7 |
| Calhoun Middle School Calhoun, GA | 6.8 |
| Crawford Long Middle School Atlanta, GA | 6.8 |
| Henderson Middle School Jackson, GA | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #956 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Hilsman Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hilsman Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Hilsman Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hilsman Middle School has 20.1% math proficiency and 25.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (706) 548-7281
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clarke County- District Enrollment
- 12,331
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,012
- District Rank
- #13 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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