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Below Average

#1858 of 2,268 schools in GA

T. J. Elder Middle School

Middle School · Washington County

P.O. Box 816, Sandersville, GA 31082

Enrollment

613

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#1,858 of 2,268

In Sandersville

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Washington County

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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T. J. Elder Middle School

4.5/10

Middle School in Sandersville · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brentwood School

6.9/10

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

Washington County High School

5.6/10

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

About T. J. Elder Middle School

T. J. Elder Middle School is a public middle school in Sandersville, GA, part of Washington County.

T. J. Elder Middle School serves approximately 613 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio.

T. J. Elder Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,858 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for T. J. Elder Middle School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts below GA schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • GA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

T. J. Elder Middle 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.6% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.6% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,361
Chronic Absenteeism18.4%

T. J. Elder Middle School — Students at T. J. Elder Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 48.4% (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
78%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
94%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
19%
2024
Math
16.6%
ELA
23.6%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How T. J. Elder Middle School Compares

See how T. J. Elder Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
18th percentile in GA
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.4%

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

P.O. Box 816, Sandersville, GA 31082

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering T. J. Elder Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jefferson County Middle School (rated 7.3/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Stapleton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Johnson County Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Wrightsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hancock Central Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Sparta), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sandersville, see our Sandersville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.8 mi
School Distance Rating
BRENTWOOD SCHOOL Sandersville 0.4 mi 6.9
Washington County High School Sandersville 2.4 mi 5.6
Ridge Road Primary School Sandersville 2.9 mi 7.6
Ridge Road Elementary School Sandersville 2.9 mi 6.2
Johnson County Elementary School Wrightsville 19.7 mi 7.0
Johnson County High School Wrightsville 19.9 mi 8.5
Johnson County Middle School Wrightsville 19.9 mi 7.2
JOHN HANCOCK ACADEMY Sparta 20.1 mi 6.7
Glascock County Middle/High School Gibson 20.3 mi 7.3
Glascock County Elementary School Gibson 20.3 mi 8.3
GOSHEN HEBREW ACADEMY AT TEMPLE KEFARYM Sparta 19.7 mi
Lewis Elementary School Sparta 22.3 mi 4.4
Hancock Central High School Sparta 22.4 mi 6.1
Hancock Central Middle School Sparta 22.4 mi 3.9
DUBLIN MENNONITE SCHOOL East Dublin 25.6 mi 4.5
PINECREST MENNONITE Stapleton 21.8 mi 5.1
HAPPY HOLLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Irwinton 24.1 mi 6.4
Louisville Academy School Louisville 23.6 mi 5.0
Jefferson County Middle School Stapleton 24.0 mi 7.3
Midway Hills Academy Milledgeville 23.8 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 31082 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,932

Median Home Value

$127,500

Median Rent

$831/mo

Population

10,479

College Educated

22.6%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

39.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Callaway Middle School Lagrange, GA 4.5
Memorial Middle School Conyers, GA 4.5
Worth County Middle School Sylvester, GA 4.5
Carver Middle School Monroe, GA 4.6
Fort Valley Middle School Fort Valley, GA 4.6
Rehoboth Road Middle School Griffin, GA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about T. J. Elder Middle School

What grades does T. J. Elder Middle School serve?

T. J. Elder Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend T. J. Elder Middle School?

T. J. Elder Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 613 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at T. J. Elder Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at T. J. Elder Middle School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does T. J. Elder Middle School rank in GA?

T. J. Elder Middle School ranks #1,858 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is T. J. Elder Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

T. J. Elder Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 T. J. Elder Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, T. J. Elder Middle School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is T. J. Elder Middle School a charter school?

No, T. J. Elder Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is T. J. Elder Middle School a Title I school?

No, T. J. Elder Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for T. J. Elder Middle School?

89.7% of students at T. J. Elder Middle 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
613
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.4%

District

Washington County
District Enrollment
2,769
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,361
District Rank
#4 of 4

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