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Below Average

#1961 of 2,268 schools in GA

Upson-lee High School

High School · Thomaston-Upson County

268 Knight Trl, Thomaston, GA 30286

Enrollment

1,202

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thomaston

#4 of 4

public schools

Georgia high schools

#356 of 443

In district

#4 of 4

Thomaston-Upson County

About Upson-lee High School

Upson-Lee High School serves 1,202 students in grades 9-12 in Thomaston, Georgia, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 across 78 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is working to strengthen academic outcomes, with 30% of students performing at or above proficiency in English Language Arts and 24% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. As a regular public school in Upson County, Upson-Lee High School currently ranks in the 18th percentile statewide, positioning it at #1853 out of 2,271 Georgia high schools.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 reflects the ongoing challenges and opportunities for improvement in student achievement across core subject areas. The school serves a community where the median household income is $48,346 and the median home value is $137,200. Within the 30286 ZIP code area, which has a population of 24,156, about 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 23.3%.

Upson-Lee High School is situated in a rural area near the town of Thomaston, providing students with a small-town educational environment while serving the broader Upson County community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Upson-lee High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.9%
Math vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,639

Upson-lee High School — Students at Upson-lee High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
31%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
26%
2024
Math
23.9%
ELA
29.9%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Upson-lee High School Compares

See how Upson-lee High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
14th percentile in GA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
78 teachers

Location

268 Knight Trl, Thomaston, GA 30286

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Upson-lee High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pike County High School (rated 6.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Zebulon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Manchester High School (rated 4.9/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Manchester), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Zebulon High School (rated 4.3/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Zebulon), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Thomaston, see our Thomaston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Upson-Lee Primary School Thomaston 0.4 mi 6.3
Upson-Lee Elementary School Thomaston 0.4 mi 8.1
Upson-Lee Middle School Thomaston 1.4 mi 4.7
SKIPSTONE ACADEMY WESTWOOD CAMPUS Thomaston 5.4 mi 6.0
OVERCOMERS' ACADEMY Thomaston 7.9 mi
Lamar County Elementary School Barnesville 11.8 mi 4.2
Lamar County Primary School Barnesville 12.0 mi 4.3
Lamar County Middle School Barnesville 12.1 mi 6.6
Pike County Middle School Zebulon 12.8 mi 6.4
Lamar County High School Barnesville 12.4 mi 4.0
Pike County Elementary School Zebulon 13.3 mi 8.4
Pike County High School Zebulon 13.3 mi 6.6
Pike County Primary School Zebulon 13.3 mi 5.0
Zebulon High School Zebulon 13.5 mi 4.3
ST GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Milner 16.2 mi 7.5
Carver Road Middle School Griffin 20.4 mi 5.2
Moreland Road Elementary Griffin 20.5 mi 3.9
Manchester Middle School Manchester 18.9 mi 4.0
Central Elementary/High School Talbotton 20.5 mi 6.6
Manchester High School Manchester 19.1 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30286 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,526

Median Home Value

$150,700

Median Rent

$781/mo

Population

24,616

College Educated

15.3%

Homeownership

60.5%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.4%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding Upson-lee High School has a median household income of $50,526. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,700, with a median rent of $781/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charles R. Drew High School Riverdale, GA 4.6
Hephzibah High School Hephzibah, GA 4.6
Lithonia High School Lithonia, GA 4.6
Northeast High School Macon, GA 4.6
South Atlanta High School Atlanta, GA 4.6
Spencer High School Columbus, GA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Upson-lee High School

What grades does Upson-lee High School serve?

Upson-lee High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Upson-lee High School?

Upson-lee High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,202 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Upson-lee High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Upson-lee High School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Upson-lee High School rank in GA?

Upson-lee High School is ranked #1961 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Upson-lee High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Upson-lee High School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Upson-lee High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Upson-lee High School has 26.0% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Upson-lee High School a charter school?

No, Upson-lee High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Upson-lee High School a Title I school?

No, Upson-lee High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Upson-lee High School?

70.5% of students at Upson-lee High 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,760/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Thomaston). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,202
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
78
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Upson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Thomaston-Upson County
District Enrollment
4,086
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,619
District Rank
#4 of 4

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 methodology

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