Below Average
#1907 of 2,268 schools in GA
Murphey Candler Elementary School
Elementary School · DeKalb County
6775 S Goddard Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Georgia schools
#1,907 of 2,268
In Lithonia
#6 of 20
public schools
In district
#88 of 131
DeKalb County
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Murphey Candler Elementary School
Elementary School in Lithonia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Arabia Mountain High School - Academy of Engineering- Medic
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lithonia Adventist Academy Elementary
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Murphey Candler Elementary School
Murphey Candler Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lithonia, GA, part of DeKalb County. Murphey Candler Elementary School serves approximately 496 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Murphey Candler Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,907 of 2,268 schools in GA.
Structured state assessment records for Murphey Candler Elementary School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 5.9
- GA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Murphey Candler Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
33% of students at Murphey Candler 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.8/10.
How Murphey Candler Elementary School Compares
See how Murphey Candler Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Leadership Preparatory Academy (rated 6.3/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LITHONIA ADVENTIST ACADEMY ELEMENTARY (rated 4.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Stonecrest), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, EXCELL PREPARATORY CENTER (rated 4.7/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.0 |
| LITHONIA ADVENTIST ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Stonecrest | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Flat Rock Elementary School Lithonia | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Salem Middle School Lithonia | 3.1 mi | 3.4 |
| HERITAGE HILLS EARLY LEARNING CENTER Conyers | 3.3 mi | — |
| Stoneview Elementary School Lithonia | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Fairington Elementary School Lithonia | 3.8 mi | 3.6 |
| EXCELL PREPARATORY CENTER Lithonia | 3.5 mi | 4.7 |
| ABC LEARNING CENTER Lithonia | 4.1 mi | — |
| Lorraine Elementary School Stockbridge | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Miller Grove High School Lithonia | 4.2 mi | 3.6 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| Shoal Creek Elementary School Conyers | 3.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Lithonia Middle School Lithonia | 4.5 mi | 3.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brown Elementary School Jonesboro, GA | 4.3 |
| Chapel Hill Elementary School Decatur, GA | 4.3 |
| Gainesville Exploration Academy Gainesville, GA | 4.3 |
| Honey Creek Elementary School Conyers, GA | 4.3 |
| Isle of Hope School Savannah, GA | 4.3 |
| Jordan Hill Road Elementary School Griffin, GA | 4.3 |
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 ranks #1,907 of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Murphey Candler Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Murphey Candler Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Murphey Candler Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Murphey Candler Elementary School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.5%
- Phone
- (678) 676-9102
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb County- District Enrollment
- 91,398
- Schools in District
- 131
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #88 of 131
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