Paulding County

The Paulding County school district in Georgia encompasses 33 schools, including 19 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 5 high schools. The data reveals a district with pockets of excellence but also significant room for improvement, particularly in addressing achievement gaps and ensuring equitable access to high-quality education for all students.

Among the standout schools in the district are Sammy McClure Senior Middle School, which consistently ranks among the top in the state, and Burnt Hickory Elementary School, which ranks in the top 15% of Georgia elementary schools. The top-performing high school is North Paulding High School, which ranks in the top 20% of Georgia high schools and has a 4-star rating.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in academic achievement between the highest and lowest-performing schools, even within the same district. There appears to be a relationship between the socioeconomic status of a school's student population and its academic performance, with schools serving higher-poverty communities tending to have lower test scores and graduation rates. Ensuring all students have access to a high-quality middle school education, as exemplified by Sammy McClure Senior Middle School, may be a key lever for improving districtwide outcomes.