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Excellent

#146 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 6% in state

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Elementary School · Clarke County

757 N Chase St, Athens, GA 30601

Enrollment

486

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#146 of 2,268

In Athens

#1 of 21

public schools

In district

#1 of 21

Clarke County

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

8.8/10

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

Clarke Central High School

6.5/10

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

Downtown Academy

5.8/10

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

About Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School is a public elementary school in Athens, GA, part of Clarke County. Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School serves approximately 486 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #146 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.2
  • GA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.6% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.1% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg+9.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,012
Chronic Absenteeism20.8%

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School — Students at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 68.7% (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
77%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2013
Math
93%
ELA
97%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
63%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
56%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
51.6%
ELA
57.1%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School Compares

See how Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
94th percentile in GA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.8%

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

757 N Chase St, Athens, GA 30601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Barrow Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Timothy Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Clarke Central High School Athens 1.0 mi 6.5
DOWNTOWN ACADEMY Athens 1.0 mi 5.8
Classic City High School Athens 1.1 mi 4.3
Foothills Regional High School Athens 1.3 mi 4.5
Clarke Middle School Athens 1.6 mi 7.4
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Athens 1.6 mi 3.6
Barrow Elementary School Athens 1.7 mi 8.0
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School Athens 1.6 mi 6.4
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School Athens 2.1 mi 4.4
Fowler Drive Elementary School Athens 2.5 mi 5.6
Whitehead Road Elementary School Athens 2.6 mi 6.4
WASECA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Athens 3.1 mi
Timothy Elementary School Athens 3.5 mi 7.9
MONSIGNOR DONOVAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Athens 3.7 mi 8.6
ATHENS ACADEMY Athens 4.5 mi 6.7
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary Athens 4.2 mi 5.9
Gaines Elementary School Athens 4.1 mi 4.1
Hilsman Middle School Athens 4.1 mi 5.6
Cedar Shoals High School Athens 4.6 mi 4.8
ATHENS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Athens 5.0 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,357

Median Home Value

$213,300

Median Rent

$1,198/mo

Population

24,288

College Educated

37.4%

Homeownership

35.6%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

38.5%

Median Age

27.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arbor Springs Elementary Newnan, GA 8.8
Blue Ridge Elementary School Evans, GA 8.8
Buford Elementary School Buford, GA 8.8
Clear Creek Elementary School Ellijay, GA 8.8
Harmony Elementary School Buford, GA 8.8
Hillside Elementary School Roswell, GA 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

What grades does Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School serve?

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School?

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 486 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School rank in GA?

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School ranks #146 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School?

64.8% of students at Johnnie Lay Burks 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
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Clarke County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.8%

District

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

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