Is Benjamin E. Mays High School a good school?

Benjamin E. Mays High School ranks in the bottom 19.2% of Georgia high schools.

How many students attend Benjamin E. Mays High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,337 students attended Benjamin E. Mays High School.

What is the racial makeup of Benjamin E. Mays High School?

Students at Benjamin E. Mays High School are 92% African American, 7% Hispanic.

What schools feed into Benjamin E. Mays High School?

Benjamin E. Mays High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Beecher Hills Elementary School Elementary : Cascade Elementary School Elementary : Miles Elementary School Elementary : Peyton Forest Elementary School Elementary : West Manor Elementary School Middle : Jean Childs Young Middle School

Benjamin E. Mays High School

Summary:

Benjamin E. Mays High School is a public high school in Atlanta, Georgia, serving 1,337 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Atlanta Public Schools district, which is ranked 149 out of 203 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Over the past 10 years, Benjamin E. Mays High School has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Georgia high schools, with a ranking between 328 and 399 out of 420-458 schools.

The school faces significant challenges, with a 100% free and reduced lunch rate indicating a high-poverty student population. Its performance on the Georgia Milestones assessments is significantly below state and district averages across all subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 14% of students were proficient or better in American Literature and Composition, compared to 42% statewide and 31.3% in the Atlanta Public Schools district. The school's four-year graduation rates have fluctuated between 71.1% and 84.1% over the past 5 years, lagging behind the state average of 83.7%.

When compared to other high schools in the Atlanta Public Schools district and the nearby Fulton County district, Benjamin E. Mays High School consistently underperforms on key metrics such as test scores and graduation rates. For example, Westlake High School in Fulton County outperforms Benjamin E. Mays High School across all subject areas on the Georgia Milestones assessments.

Detail:

Public 9-12

3450 Benjamin E Mays Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30331

(404) 802-5100

District: Atlanta Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
370^th of 458 Georgia High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,660

Feeder schools for Benjamin E. Mays High School:

Elementary:	Beecher Hills Elementary School
	Cascade Elementary School
	Miles Elementary School
	Peyton Forest Elementary School
	More...
	West Manor Elementary School
Middle:	Jean Childs Young Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.4

Number of students: 1,337

Racial breakdown:

African American:

92.0%

Hispanic:

7.2%

Two or more races:

0.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated Georgia high schools

Compare Benjamin E. Mays High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Benjamin E. Mays High School ranks worse than 80.8% of high schools in Georgia. It also ranks 7^th among 15 ranked high schools in the Atlanta Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.52. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Benjamin E. Mays High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Student Body

Compare Details Benjamin E. Mays High School has the largest high school student body size in the Atlanta Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details

Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Benjamin E. Mays High School is $15,660. 10 high schools in the Atlanta Public Schools District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Benjamin E. Mays High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Benjamin E. Mays High School 370^th of 458 Georgia public high schools. (See Benjamin E. Mays High School in the ranking list.)

Atlanta Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Atlanta Public Schools 149^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	44.38	206^th	335	38.5%
2007	45.19	211^th	358	41.1%
2008	39.24	251^st	370	32.2%
2009	40.50	257^th	372	30.9%
2010	43.27	240^th	384	37.5%
2011	36.42	295^th	402	26.6%
2012	32.54	296^th	396	25.3%
2013	25.17	353^rd	425	16.9%
2014	24.07	363^rd	425	14.6%
2015	25.29	328^th	435	24.6%
2016	20.77	341^st	426	20.0%
2017	15.42	360^th	420	14.3%
2018	12.32	381^st	428	11.0%
2019	11.20	390^th	438	11.0%
2021	18.52	339^th	410	17.3%
2022	10.09	395^th	429	7.9%
2023	12.27	399^th	442	9.7%
2024	18.52	370^th	458	19.2%

See the entire list of Georgia High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Such an awful school. terrible teachers, terrible students that are just out of hand and terrible environment in a whole, period. And im not very sure how mays was in the past, but i know its present and definite future is tragic. Very glad i pulled my son out of it. My son was in BEA and was very focused on his work (during this time he was in the 9th grade).

i constantly (about 2 times every 2 weeks going at the school for meetings and/or just online emailing the school to stay caught up with my son) talked and talked and pulled all my attention on this school for my son. His grades were succeeding and everything was going fine with his school work. And you see, thats the thing.

HIS grades were fine, HIS mind was set and his want to be a good student was key. But NOT THE SCHOOL!!!! This school is VERY unfit for a learning habitat. My son could hardly focus on his work with all of the chaos. From his words "I basically had to FORCE teachers to teach" which was what he told me one day after school. And him pushing through to still succeed was a struggle. and not a good one.

There are some amount of cases of this school within news reports, using gang signs, kids bringing in guns, teachers punching students and one of the teachers having an affair with a middle school principal who sold or did some type of drugs with her.

I think almost everyday my child came back from mays, there was always a story about somebody fighting or somebody getting into a "big argument". And dont even get me started with the teachers/staff members. SUCH bad and unwelcoming attitudes. As if they dont even want you to be there. And it is so easily read within their facial expressions and body energy. Giving themselves and the school such a bad name.

Please do better mays. Become more organized and more well constructed because if not, one day this school just migght be shut down for its messups. Thank you. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, November 29, 2013

Great legacy. Dedicated and nurturing staff. Focus on career and college. Beautiful school. I am happy with the instruction, staff and students. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1510	1510
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	1367	1367
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1329	1329
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1296	1296
1994	5	1357	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	1366
1995	6	1398	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	1404
1996	6	1398	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	1404
1997	3	1440	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	1444
1998	3	1451	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	1457
1999	2	1395	3	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	1401
2000	3	1376	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	1383
2001	6	1374	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	1386
2002	1	1702	0	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	1710
2003	1	1702	0	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	1710
2004	2	1736	1	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	1748
2005	1	1804	1	15	0	n/a	n/a	3	1824
2006	2	1831	1	24	0	n/a	n/a	2	1860
2007	1	1739	0	25	0	n/a	n/a	5	1770
2008	3	1703	0	28	0	n/a	n/a	6	1740
2009	2	1708	2	32	0	n/a	n/a	8	1752
2010	4	1718	1	42	0	0	6	0	1771
2011	2	1467	1	43	0	1	4	0	1518
2012	0	1385	3	37	0	0	4	0	1429
2013	0	1549	2	30	0	0	4	0	1585
2014	0	1526	4	28	0	1	3	0	1562
2015	1	1658	4	39	1	0	4	0	1707
2016	2	1698	3	37	0	0	2	0	1742
2017	2	1619	0	43	0	0	5	0	1669
2018	2	1477	0	49	1	0	5	0	1534
2019	1	1255	0	69	1	0	7	0	1333
2020	2	1166	0	80	2	0	6	0	1256
2021	3	1145	0	87	3	1	5	0	1244
2022	2	1148	0	107	2	0	9	0	1268
2023	1	1230	0	96	3	0	7	0	1337

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Benjamin E. Mays High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1510	89.0	16.9	n/a
1991	1367	87.0	15.7	12.1
1992	1329	79.0	16.8	15
1993	1296	72.0	18.0	22.4
1994	1366	76.8	17.8	29.2
1995	1404	76.0	18.5	34.6
1996	1404	76.0	18.5	34.6
1997	1444	69.0	20.9	31.4
1998	1457	69.5	21.0	24
1999	1401	75.6	18.5	45.3
2000	1383	74.1	18.7	48.2
2001	1386	79.1	17.5	47.8
2002	1710	101.6	16.8	47.8
2003	1710	101.6	16.8	47.8
2004	1748	103.0	17.0	49.8
2005	1824	99.0	18.4	56.3
2006	1860	103.0	18.1	61.4
2007	1770	107.1	16.5	61
2008	1740	110.0	15.8	63.2
2009	1752	103.0	17.0	68.8
2010	1771	110.2	16.0	75.6
2011	1518	99.0	15.3	78.5
2012	1429	97.1	14.7	76
2013	1585	98.7	16.0	78.9
2014	1562	101.8	15.3	74.6
2015	1707	102.0	16.7	70.2
2016	1742	104.0	16.7	99.8
2017	1669	107.8	15.4	100
2018	1534	103.7	14.7	100
2019	1333	98.1	13.5	100
2020	1256	85.7	14.6	78.6
2021	1244	79.7	15.6	100
2022	1268	79.5	15.9	n/a
2023	1337	107.3	12.4	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Benjamin E. Mays High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1510	89.0	16.9	n/a
1991	1367	87.0	15.7	12.1
1992	1329	79.0	16.8	15
1993	1296	72.0	18.0	22.4
1994	1366	76.8	17.8	29.2
1995	1404	76.0	18.5	34.6
1996	1404	76.0	18.5	34.6
1997	1444	69.0	20.9	31.4
1998	1457	69.5	21.0	24
1999	1401	75.6	18.5	45.3
2000	1383	74.1	18.7	48.2
2001	1386	79.1	17.5	47.8
2002	1710	101.6	16.8	47.8
2003	1710	101.6	16.8	47.8
2004	1748	103.0	17.0	49.8
2005	1824	99.0	18.4	56.3
2006	1860	103.0	18.1	61.4
2007	1770	107.1	16.5	61
2008	1740	110.0	15.8	63.2
2009	1752	103.0	17.0	68.8
2010	1771	110.2	16.0	75.6
2011	1518	99.0	15.3	78.5
2012	1429	97.1	14.7	76
2013	1585	98.7	16.0	78.9
2014	1562	101.8	15.3	74.6
2015	1707	102.0	16.7	70.2
2016	1742	104.0	16.7	99.8
2017	1669	107.8	15.4	100
2018	1534	103.7	14.7	100
2019	1333	98.1	13.5	100
2020	1256	85.7	14.6	78.6
2021	1244	79.7	15.6	100
2022	1268	79.5	15.9	n/a
2023	1337	107.3	12.4	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Benjamin E. Mays High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$1,091 (7.8%)	$12,879 (92.2%)	$13,970
2018	$1,188 (8.1%)	$13,540 (91.9%)	$14,728
2019	$1,326 (8.5%)	$14,334 (91.5%)	$15,660

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Benjamin E. Mays High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 390^th of 438 High schools	Ranks 399^th of 442 High schools	1.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Benjamin E. Mays High School)	20.6	11.7	8.9%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Atlanta Public Schools)	37	26.6	10.4%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Georgia)	47.3	38.9	8.4%
End of Course Algebra I (Benjamin E. Mays High School)	5.3	11.8	6.5%
End of Course Algebra I (Atlanta Public Schools)	28.7	26.7	2%
End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)	41.1	35.8	5.3%
End of Course Biology (Benjamin E. Mays High School)	11.8	14.2	2.4%
End of Course Biology (Atlanta Public Schools)	35	29.2	5.8%
End of Course Biology (Georgia)	49	45.5	3.5%
End of Course United States History (Benjamin E. Mays High School)	16.9	12.2	4.7%
End of Course United States History (Atlanta Public Schools)	35.1	17.6	17.5%
End of Course United States History (Georgia)	48.3	37.1	11.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1333	1337	0.3%
African American	1255	1230	2%
American Indian	1	3	200%
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	69	96	39.1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	1	1
Two or More Races	7	7
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Benjamin E. Mays High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment American Literature and Composition (2024)	Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2024)	Milestones Assessment Biology (2024)	Milestones Assessment United States History (2024)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)			Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)			Milestones Assessment Science (2024)	Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment American Literature and Composition End of Course	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment Biology End of Course	Milestones Assessment United States History End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Benjamin E. Mays High School	Public	9-12	3450 Benjamin E Mays Dr SW	Atlanta	30331	Fulton County	Atlanta Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 802-5100	1,337	107	12.4	100.0%	1 (0.1%)	1,230 (92.0%)	96 (7.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.5%)	18.5	370^th of 458 public high schools	19.2%		12.3	399^th of 442 public high schools	9.7%	29	14.0	23.9	30.0	11.8									$15,660	$1,326	$14,334
D. M. Therrell High School	Public	9-12	3099 Panther Trl SW	Atlanta	30311	Fulton County	Atlanta Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 802-5300	973	64	15.2	100.0%	1 (0.1%)	928 (95.4%)	33 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.1%)	10.7	418^th of 458 public high schools	8.7%		12.9	392^nd of 442 public high schools	11.3%	26	13.3	9.3	12.2	16.1									$16,390	$1,057	$15,333
Frederick Douglass High School	Public	9-12	225 Hamilton E Holmes Dr NW	Atlanta	30318	Fulton County	Atlanta Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 802-3100	1,112	77	14.5	100.0%	1 (0.1%)	1,025 (92.2%)	69 (6.2%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (1.3%)	13.9	402^nd of 458 public high schools	12.2%		9.8	415^th of 442 public high schools	6.1%	13	7.9	30.4	15.1	15.6									$16,068	$1,451	$14,617
Kipp Atlanta Collegiate Charter School	Public, Charter	9-12	98 Anderson Ave NW	Atlanta	30314	Fulton County	Atlanta Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(404) 326-4858	806	59	13.7	100.0%	0 (0.0%)	785 (97.4%)	14 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	6 (0.7%)	14.9	397^th of 458 public high schools	13.3%		16.1	370^th of 442 public high schools	16.3%	27	17.6	9.8	24.4	10.6									$13,359	$685	$12,673
Fulton Leadership Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	2575 Dodson Dr	East Point	30344	Fulton County	State Specialty Schools II- Fulton Leadership Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(404) 472-3529	227	19	12.2	57.7%	0 (0.0%)	215 (94.7%)	6 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.6%)	19.3	368^th of 458 public high schools	19.7%		14.5	381^st of 442 public high schools	13.8%	13	33.3	9.1	9.5	27.8	20.8	41.2	35.3	16.7	23.5	17.6	32.4	14.7	$13,631	$659	$12,972
B.E.S.T Academy	Public	6-12	1190 Northwest Dr NW	Atlanta	30318	Fulton County	Atlanta Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 802-4950	237	33	7.2	100.0%	0 (0.0%)	218 (92.0%)	17 (7.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	13.1	406^th of 458 public high schools	11.4%		20	344^th of 442 public high schools	22.2%	62	13.5	16.7	11.8	18.8	32.5	27.7	25.0	20.0	23.4	35.0		10.0	$22,692	$1,567	$21,125
Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy	Public	6-12	1190 Northwest Dr NW	Atlanta	30318	Fulton County	Atlanta Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 802-4900	323	41	7.8	100.0%	0 (0.0%)	301 (93.2%)	16 (5.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.5%)	47.9	199^th of 458 public high schools	56.6%		31.1	282^nd of 442 public high schools	36.2%	83	45.0	42.0	31.1	48.0	25.9	29.5	45.0	11.1	15.9	40.0	32.5	22.5	$22,264	$1,383	$20,881
Booker T. Washington High School	Public	9-12	45 Whitehouse Dr SW	Atlanta	30314	Fulton County	Atlanta Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 802-4600	831	60	13.8	100.0%	2 (0.2%)	803 (96.6%)	12 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.3%)	9.5	422^nd of 458 public high schools	7.9%		9.3	416^th of 442 public high schools	5.9%	6	8.8	10.1	15.5	10.1									$17,528	$1,235	$16,292
Tri-Cities High School	Public	9-12	2575 Harris St	East Point	30344	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	Yes	(470) 254-8200	1,483	86	17.3	100.0%	13 (0.9%)	969 (65.3%)	470 (31.7%)	2 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (1.8%)	17.3	380^th of 458 public high schools	17.0%		12.8	393^rd of 442 public high schools	11.1%	13	20.4	16.3	21.3	18.8									$12,712	$445	$12,267
Westlake High School	Public	9-12	2400 Union Rd SW	Atlanta	30331	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-6400	2,461	119	20.7	43.4%	6 (0.2%)	2,295 (93.3%)	87 (3.5%)	10 (0.4%)	4 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	59 (2.4%)	52.8	167^th of 458 public high schools	63.5%		47	194^th of 442 public high schools	56.1%	27	38.8	42.2	44.5	45.1									$10,717	$338	$10,379

Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Rank History for Benjamin E. Mays High School

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Enrollment information for Benjamin E. Mays High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Benjamin E. Mays High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Benjamin E. Mays High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Benjamin E. Mays High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Benjamin E. Mays High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Benjamin E. Mays High School