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Needs Improvement

#2077 of 2,268 schools in GA

Panola Way Elementary School

Elementary School · DeKalb County

2170 Panola Way Ct, Lithonia, GA 30058

Enrollment

636

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#2,077 of 2,268

In Lithonia

#12 of 20

public schools

In district

#108 of 131

DeKalb County

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Panola Way Elementary School

3.7/10

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

Shekinah Glory Christian Academy

Nearby

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

Decatur Adventist JR Academy

5.0/10

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

About Panola Way Elementary School

Panola Way Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lithonia, GA, part of DeKalb County. Panola Way Elementary School serves approximately 636 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Panola Way Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,077 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Panola Way Elementary School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.9
  • GA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

53% of students at Panola Way 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 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.9% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.6% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.2 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment1.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism52.8%

Panola Way Elementary School — Students at Panola Way Elementary School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 36.0% (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
57%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
14%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
18%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
18%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
13%
2024
Math
9.9%
ELA
14.6%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Panola Way Elementary School Compares

See how Panola Way Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
9th percentile in GA
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.8%

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

2170 Panola Way Ct, Lithonia, GA 30058

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Panola Way Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DECATUR ADVENTIST JR ACADEMY (rated 5.0/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Stone Mountain), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School (rated 4.9/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Stone Mountain), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marbut Elementary School (rated 4.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lithonia, see our Lithonia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SHEKINAH GLORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 0.4 mi
DECATUR ADVENTIST JR ACADEMY Stone Mountain 0.7 mi 5.0
Miller Grove Middle School Decatur 0.9 mi 2.5
Marbut Elementary School Lithonia 1.0 mi 4.7
Redan Middle School Lithonia 1.1 mi 4.2
CHILDREN FOR CHRIST ACADEMY Lithonia 1.2 mi 4.6
HOWARD SCHOLARS ACADEMY Decatur 1.4 mi 3.9
WINGS OF A DOVE CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Decatur 1.3 mi 4.6
MILLER'S MILITARY ACADEMY Lithonia 1.7 mi 6.8
Miller Grove High School Lithonia 1.8 mi 3.6
THE WHITAKER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lithonia 1.7 mi
Redan High School Stone Mountain 2.1 mi 3.3
Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School Decatur 1.9 mi 4.2
Fairington Elementary School Lithonia 2.3 mi 3.6
Woodridge Elementary School Stone Mountain 2.0 mi 4.2
TWINS ACADEMY INC AT 3152 Lithonia 2.4 mi
TWINS ACADEMY INC. Lithonia 2.4 mi
Redan Elementary School Lithonia 2.2 mi 4.1
Lithonia High School Lithonia 2.3 mi 3.4
Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School Stone Mountain 2.9 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30058 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,633

Median Home Value

$221,200

Median Rent

$1,478/mo

Population

63,421

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

38.3 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Andrea B Williams Elementary School Savannah, GA 3.7
Big A Elementary School Eastanollee, GA 3.7
Fairview Elementary Covington, GA 3.7
Hickory Flat Elementary School Mcdonough, GA 3.7
Lane Elementary School Macon, GA 3.7
Meadowcreek Elementary School Norcross, GA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Panola Way Elementary School

What grades does Panola Way Elementary School serve?

Panola Way Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Panola Way Elementary School?

Panola Way Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 636 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Panola Way Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Panola Way Elementary School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Panola Way Elementary School rank in GA?

Panola Way Elementary School ranks #2,077 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Panola Way Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Panola Way Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Panola Way Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Panola Way Elementary School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Panola Way Elementary School a charter school?

No, Panola Way Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Panola Way Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Panola Way Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Panola Way Elementary School?

100.0% of students at Panola Way 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
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
636
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DeKalb County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.8%

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
91,398
Schools in District
131
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#108 of 131

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