Below Average
#1975 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
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
636
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lithonia
#18 of 20
public schools
Georgia elementary schools
#1,158 of 1,301
In district
#118 of 131
DeKalb County
About Panola Way Elementary School
Panola Way Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lithonia, Georgia, located in the heart of DeKalb County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 636 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1, Panola Way provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The dedicated staff includes 33 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting the academic and social growth of their students. Academically, Panola Way Elementary School focuses on fostering a nurturing environment where every student can develop and thrive. While current test scores indicate room for improvement, with only 14% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 10% proficiency in Math across all grade levels, the school is dedicated to enhancing its programs and resources to better serve its students.
Located in a large suburban setting, Panola Way Elementary School benefits from being part of an active community that values education.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Panola Way Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Panola Way Elementary School — Students at Panola Way Elementary School score 12% proficient, which is below 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: 6.0/10.
How Panola Way Elementary School Compares
See how Panola Way Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 9.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 14.6% (2024).
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. Fairington Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Stone Mountain), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marbut Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 5.6 |
| Marbut Elementary School Lithonia | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Redan Middle School Lithonia | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| THE WHITAKER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lithonia | 1.7 mi | — |
| Redan High School Stone Mountain | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School Decatur | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Fairington Elementary School Lithonia | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Woodridge Elementary School Stone Mountain | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| TWINS ACADEMY INC AT 3152 Lithonia | 2.4 mi | — |
| TWINS ACADEMY INC. Lithonia | 2.4 mi | — |
| Redan Elementary School Lithonia | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Lithonia High School Lithonia | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School Stone Mountain | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Panola Way Elementary School has a median household income of $62,633. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,200, with a median rent of $1,478/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute in the area is 38 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 |
|---|---|
| Banks County Elementary School Homer, GA | 4.5 |
| Bernd Elementary School Macon, GA | 4.5 |
| Britt Elementary School Snellville, GA | 4.5 |
| Burnett Elementary School Douglasville, GA | 4.5 |
| Cotton Indian Elementary School Stockbridge, GA | 4.5 |
| DeKalb Preparatory Academy Charter Decatur, GA | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #1975 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Panola Way Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Panola Way Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Panola Way Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Panola Way Elementary School has 10.4% math proficiency and 14.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,971/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lithonia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (678) 676-9302
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb County- District Enrollment
- 91,398
- Schools in District
- 131
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #118 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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