Average
#1762 of 2,268 schools in GA
Varnell Elementary School
Elementary School · Whitfield County
3900 Cleveland Rd, Dalton, GA 30721
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dalton
#24 of 27
public schools
Georgia elementary schools
#1,051 of 1,301
In district
#19 of 22
Whitfield County
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Varnell Elementary School
Varnell Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Dalton, Georgia, within the rural outskirts of Whitfield County. With an enrollment of 389 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, Varnell provides personalized attention to each child. The school offers education from kindergarten through fifth grade, ensuring a strong foundation for its young learners.
Varnell Elementary's academic performance is in the middle range with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1191 out of 2271 schools in Georgia. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 37%, while its Math proficiency reaches 50%. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to enhance academic outcomes.
Varnell Elementary School sits in a rural setting near the town, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Varnell Elementary 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
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Varnell Elementary School — Students at Varnell Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
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
↓ 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: 3.0/10.
How Varnell Elementary School Compares
See how Varnell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 48.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 35.5% (2024).
Location
3900 Cleveland Rd, Dalton, GA 30721
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Varnell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Westwood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 8.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pleasant Grove Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Park Creek Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 7.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dalton, see our Dalton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Whitfield Middle School Dalton | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Coahulla Creek High School Dalton | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| New Hope Middle School Dalton | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| New Hope Elementary School Dalton | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Northwest Whitfield County High School Tunnel Hill | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Cohutta Elementary School Cohutta | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary School Dalton | 4.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Beaverdale Elementary School Dalton | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Hammond Creek Middle School Dalton | 6.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Dawnville Elementary School Dalton | 6.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Park Creek Elementary School Dalton | 7.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Dalton Jr. High School Dalton | 7.3 mi | 6.3 |
| The Dalton Academy Dalton | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center Dalton | 7.4 mi | — |
| Tunnel Hill Elementary School Tunnel Hill | 6.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Phoenix High School Dalton | 7.9 mi | 4.6 |
| CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SCHOOL Dalton | 8.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Westwood Elementary School Dalton | 8.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Roan Elementary School Dalton | 8.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Dalton High School Dalton | 8.5 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 30721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,749
Median Home Value
$172,500
Median Rent
$898/mo
Population
52,477
College Educated
11.8%
Homeownership
64.6%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Varnell Elementary School has a median household income of $57,749. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,500, with a median rent of $898/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Barksdale Elementary School Conyers, GA | 5.1 |
| Blythe Elementary School Blythe, GA | 5.1 |
| Browns Mill Elementary School Lithonia, GA | 5.1 |
| David L Rainer Elementary School Kingsland, GA | 5.1 |
| Ingram/Pye Elementary School Macon, GA | 5.1 |
| Jordan Hill Road Elementary School Griffin, GA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Varnell Elementary School
What grades does Varnell Elementary School serve?
Varnell Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Varnell Elementary School?
Varnell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Varnell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Varnell Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Varnell Elementary School rank in GA?
Varnell Elementary School is ranked #1762 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Varnell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Varnell Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Varnell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Varnell Elementary School has 50.1% math proficiency and 37.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Varnell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Varnell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Varnell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Varnell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Varnell Elementary School?
73.3% of students at Varnell 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,154/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dalton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Whitfield County
- Phone
- (706) 694-3471
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Whitfield County- District Enrollment
- 12,151
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,284
- District Rank
- #19 of 22
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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