Very Good
#660 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 29% in state
Murphey Candler Elementary School
Elementary School · DeKalb County
6775 S Goddard Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lithonia
#3 of 20
public schools
Georgia elementary schools
#479 of 1,301
In district
#36 of 131
DeKalb County
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Murphey Candler Elementary School
Murphey Candler Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural area near Lithonia, Georgia. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 496 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, Murphey Candler ensures that each child receives personalized attention.
The school boasts 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic needs of their young learners. However, recent test scores indicate areas for improvement; only 20% of students were proficient in ELA/Reading and just 12% were proficient in Math. Despite these challenges, Murphey Candler is focused on student development and continuous growth.
Murphey Candler Elementary School stands out as a community-focused institution within its rural setting near Lithonia, providing essential educational services to the area’s youngest learners.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Murphey Candler Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Murphey Candler Elementary School — Students at Murphey Candler Elementary School score 21% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 8.9/10.
How Murphey Candler Elementary School Compares
See how Murphey Candler Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 14% (2019) to 18% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 23.4% (2024).
Location
6775 S Goddard Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murphey Candler Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairington Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 3.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Flat Rock Elementary School (rated 5.9/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Stoneview Elementary School (rated 5.9/10, 3.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lithonia, see our Lithonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arabia Mountain High School - Academy of Engineering- Medic Lithonia | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| LITHONIA ADVENTIST ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Stonecrest | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Flat Rock Elementary School Lithonia | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| FIRM FOUNDATION EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Lithonia | 2.6 mi | — |
| FLEMING DAY SCHOOL Lithonia | 2.5 mi | — |
| ARETE PREPATORY SCHOOL Lithonia | 3.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Leadership Preparatory Academy Lithonia | 3.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Salem Middle School Lithonia | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| HERITAGE HILLS EARLY LEARNING CENTER Conyers | 3.3 mi | — |
| Stoneview Elementary School Lithonia | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairington Elementary School Lithonia | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| EXCELL PREPARATORY CENTER Lithonia | 3.5 mi | 4.7 |
| ABC LEARNING CENTER Lithonia | 4.1 mi | — |
| Lorraine Elementary School Stockbridge | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Miller Grove High School Lithonia | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| TWINS ACADEMY INC. Lithonia | 4.0 mi | — |
| TWINS ACADEMY INC AT 3152 Lithonia | 4.0 mi | — |
| General Ray Davis Middle School Stockbridge | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Shoal Creek Elementary School Conyers | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Lithonia Middle School Lithonia | 4.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 30038 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,860
Median Home Value
$234,900
Median Rent
$1,535/mo
Population
42,744
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
36.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Murphey Candler Elementary School has a median household income of $70,860. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,900, with a median rent of $1,535/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Armuchee Elementary School Armuchee, GA | 7.3 |
| Briarlake Elementary School Decatur, GA | 7.3 |
| Canongate Elementary School Sharpsburg, GA | 7.3 |
| D.E.L.T.A. STEAM Academy Lithia Springs, GA | 7.3 |
| Elm Street Elementary School Newnan, GA | 7.3 |
| Jeffersonville Elementary Jeffersonville, GA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murphey Candler Elementary School
What grades does Murphey Candler Elementary School serve?
Murphey Candler Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Murphey Candler Elementary School?
Murphey Candler Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murphey Candler Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Murphey Candler Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Murphey Candler Elementary School rank in GA?
Murphey Candler Elementary School is ranked #660 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Murphey Candler Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphey Candler Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Murphey Candler Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murphey Candler Elementary School has 11.9% math proficiency and 19.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murphey Candler Elementary School a charter school?
No, Murphey Candler Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murphey Candler Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Murphey Candler Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murphey Candler Elementary School?
100.0% of students at Murphey Candler 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lithonia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 496
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (678) 676-9102
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb County- District Enrollment
- 91,398
- Schools in District
- 131
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #36 of 131
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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