Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

Summary:

Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School is a middle school located in Ellenwood, Georgia, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 390 students. The school is part of the State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char district, which is ranked 190 out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Georgia middle schools, with proficiency rates significantly below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates were 30.8%, 26.8%, and 26.7% in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English Language Arts, respectively, compared to the state averages of 41.6%, 39.8%, and 44.7%. In mathematics, the school's proficiency rates were even lower, ranging from 4.8% to 13.3% across the grade levels, compared to the state averages of 34.7% to 43.7%. The school's performance on other subjects, such as science and social studies, also lags behind the state averages. Compared to the nearby schools, such as Stockbridge Middle School and Sequoyah Middle School, Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School generally performs worse across all subject areas and grade levels.

The high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School, ranging from 60.85% to 68.46% over the past 3 years, suggests that the school community faces significant socioeconomic challenges. This may contribute to the academic struggles observed, as research has shown that students from low-income backgrounds often face additional barriers to educational attainment. Additionally, the relatively lower per-student spending and higher student-teacher ratios at Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School compared to some nearby schools, such as Cedar Grove Middle School and Adamson Middle School, may indicate that the school is not adequately resourced to meet the needs of its student population.

Detail:

Public, Charter 6-8

2750 Forest Pkwy
Ellenwood, GA 30294

(470) 446-1070

District: State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char

SchoolDigger Rank:
494^th of 588 Georgia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,445

Student/teacher ratio: 14.3

Number of students: 372

Racial breakdown:

African American:

85.2%

Hispanic:

9.9%

Two or more races:

2.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 60.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School ranks worse than 84% of middle schools in Georgia. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 17.71. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (85.2%), Hispanic (9.9%), two or more races (2.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 60.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School is 14.3. (See more...)

Compare Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School employs 26 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School is $8,445.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School 494^th of 588 Georgia public middle schools. (See Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School in the ranking list.)

State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char:

SchoolDigger ranks State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char 190^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School.

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Rank History for Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	GA State Percentile
2017	16.85	466^th	539	13.5%
2018	31.34	384^th	543	29.3%
2019	29.42	405^th	559	27.5%
2021	24.22	418^th	542	22.9%
2022	30.53	392^nd	567	30.9%
2023	18.53	480^th	577	16.8%
2024	17.71	494^th	588	16.0%

See the entire list of Georgia Middle 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: 4.3)

71%

14%

Reviews:

by a parent
Friday, December 4, 2020

Amazing.

by a parent
Tuesday, October 1, 2019

I am grateful that the school is not fighting anymore and can produce what we knew it is capable for OUR children. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, October 1, 2019

This school has value and purpose. Incredible mission. We need more schools like Utopian Academy in our community.

Thank you all for what you do!! Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, August 1, 2019

I have been a Utopian parent since the beginning. I have 2 daughters who were Utopian scholars and currently have a son who is a rising 8th grader and a daughter who is rising 6th grader. From the very start Utopian has been a blessing to my children. They have showcased talents I never knew that had within them and have shown tremendous academic advancements. The school's enviornmnet is like a family. They know each and everyone of their scholars by name and the staff cares for them as their own. The push and motivate their scholars to strive for excellence in all they do. The teachers and staff are readily available for questions or concerns. I love their open door policy. The principal
Dr. Boykins is doing an excellent job as well as the executive founder Dr. Miller. I can literally go for an eternity dictating the satisfaction I have with Utopian Academy For the Arts. Keep up the amazing work! I'm an Eagle parent until the wheels fall off! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, September 19, 2018

I am a former board member at this school. Academics was NOT THE PRIORITY. The kids were being taught by teachers with zero classroom experience at the time I was on the board. The state charter school commission found them for wrong doing fiats voting practices. Sad thing is why does this his go on in black schools so comfortably ! Our kids don't get a do over Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, August 5, 2018

Utopian is a very good school. The founder, staff and teachers are amazing. My daughter was a B student in math and now she is a A+ student and also a A-B Honor Roll student, she's also on the dance team that won National Dance Competition in their category. Utopian main goal is for all student to succeed and they have passed my expectation as a school Close Quote

Enrollment information for Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2015	0	175	3	1	0	0	0	179
2016	1	219	4	4	0	0	3	231
2017	1	253	2	11	0	0	2	269
2018	1	236	1	12	0	0	1	251
2019	2	242	0	14	0	0	0	258
2020	3	246	0	15	2	0	2	268
2021	1	363	1	28	1	1	6	401
2022	1	326	5	29	1	2	3	367
2023	2	338	10	26	2	2	10	390
2024	0	317	7	37	2	0	9	372

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 Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2015	179	16.0	11.1	76
2016	231	18.0	12.8	84.8
2017	269	17.0	15.8	100
2018	251	15.0	16.7	99.6
2019	258	28.0	9.2	100
2020	268	23.0	11.6	100
2021	401	18.0	22.2	60.8
2022	367	24.0	15.2	n/a
2023	390	25.0	15.6	68.5
2024	372	26.0	14.3	60.2

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 Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2015	179	16.0	11.1	76
2016	231	18.0	12.8	84.8
2017	269	17.0	15.8	100
2018	251	15.0	16.7	99.6
2019	258	28.0	9.2	100
2020	268	23.0	11.6	100
2021	401	18.0	22.2	60.8
2022	367	24.0	15.2	n/a
2023	390	25.0	15.6	68.5
2024	372	26.0	14.3	60.2

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 Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$973 (10.7%)	$8,100 (89.3%)	$9,073
2018	$571 (5.8%)	$9,235 (94.2%)	$9,806
2019	$746 (8.8%)	$7,700 (91.2%)	$8,445

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter 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 405^th of 559 Middle schools	Ranks 480^th of 577 Middle schools	10.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	34.4	33.3	1.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	34.4	33.3	1.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	46	39.2	6.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	19.4	13.2	6.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	19.4	13.2	6.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	40	32.9	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	40.8	24.6	16.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	40.8	24.6	16.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	39	39.1	0.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	31	6.1	24.9%
7th Grade Mathematics (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	31	6.1	24.9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	43	34.9	8.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	41.2	25.6	15.6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	41.2	25.6	15.6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	47	42.1	4.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	5.2	9.6	4.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	5.2	9.6	4.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	35	36.2	1.2%
8th Grade Science (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	14.7	3.2	11.5%
8th Grade Science (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	14.7	3.2	11.5%
8th Grade Science (Georgia)	32	26.4	5.6%
8th Grade Social Studies (Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School)	17.9	6.5	11.4%
8th Grade Social Studies (State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char)	17.9	6.5	11.4%
8th Grade Social Studies (Georgia)	41	35.9	5.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	258	390	51.2%
African American	242	338	39.7%
American Indian	0	2
Asian	0	10
Hispanic	14	26	85.7%
Pacific Islander	0	2
White	2	2
Two or More Races	0	10
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	68.5%	31.5%

Schools Near Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				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 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
Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School	Public, Charter	6-8	2750 Forest Pkwy	Ellenwood	30294	DeKalb County	State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char	Yes	No	No	Yes	(470) 446-1070	372	26	14.3	60.2%	0 (0.0%)	317 (85.2%)	37 (9.9%)	7 (1.9%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.4%)	17.7	494^th of 588 public middle schools	16.0%		18.5	480^th of 577 public middle schools	16.8%	14	40.0			30.8	26.8	26.7	4.8	10.8	13.3	6.7	13.3	$8,445	$746	$7,700
Forest Park Middle School	Public	6-8	2299 Old Rex Marrow Road	Morrow	30260	Clayton County	Clayton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 472-2817	626	45	13.9	100.0%	18 (2.9%)	305 (48.7%)	280 (44.7%)	6 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.7%)	10.7	557^th of 588 public middle schools	5.3%		9.7	549^th of 577 public middle schools	4.9%	8	77.8			11.6	15.0	19.2	4.8	8.2	14.8	5.3	11.5	$8,615	$670	$7,944
Morrow Middle School	Public	6-8	5934 Trammell Rd	Morrow	30260	Clayton County	Clayton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 473-2700	762	56	13.6	88.6%	10 (1.3%)	400 (52.5%)	238 (31.2%)	86 (11.3%)	9 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.5%)	25.2	439^th of 588 public middle schools	25.3%		20.6	458^th of 577 public middle schools	20.6%	19				23.3	20.7	28.7	21.7	17.6	25.4	20.2	19.1	$8,119	$581	$7,538
Adamson Middle School	Public	6-8	3187 Rex Rd	Rex	30273	Clayton County	Clayton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 968-2925	523	42	12.4	85.1%	6 (1.1%)	364 (69.6%)	129 (24.7%)	14 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.9%)	30	412^th of 588 public middle schools	29.9%		20.5	459^th of 577 public middle schools	20.5%	47	94.4			22.3	24.2	35.9	9.6	20.0	33.1	25.7	25.1	$10,159	$981	$9,178
Rex Mill Middle School	Public	6-8	6380 Evans Dr	Rex	30273	Clayton County	Clayton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 960-6559	921	64	14.3	88.1%	22 (2.4%)	622 (67.5%)	218 (23.7%)	15 (1.6%)	8 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (3.9%)	23.3	451^st of 588 public middle schools	23.3%		25.2	438^th of 577 public middle schools	24.1%	13	91.1	33.3		19.3	23.9	30.6	8.7	20.9	28.8	13.1	21.3	$7,275	$493	$6,782
Babb Middle School	Public	6-8	5500 Reynolds Rd	Forest Park	30297	Clayton County	Clayton County	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 362-3880	878	58	15.1	84.1%	14 (1.6%)	290 (33.0%)	485 (55.2%)	61 (6.9%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	25 (2.8%)	36.6	363^rd of 588 public middle schools	38.3%		27.6	421^st of 577 public middle schools	27.0%	58	95.8			21.6	18.5	35.4	24.7	19.6	40.9	29.5	29.8	$7,367	$474	$6,892
7 Pillars Career Academy	Public, Charter	6-10	4234 Hendrix Dr	Forest Park	30297	Clayton County	Clayton County	Yes	No	No	Yes	(770) 954-5306	271	14	19.3	72.3%	4 (1.5%)	239 (88.2%)	21 (7.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.8%)	11.7	551^st of 588 public middle schools	6.3%		13.1	529^th of 577 public middle schools	8.3%	22	5.9	3.1	9.3	33.3	9.4	22.2	10.3	7.8	0.0		3.7
Cedar Grove Middle School	Public	6-8	2300 Wildcat Rd	Decatur	30034	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-4202	712	46	15.4	100.0%	3 (0.4%)	652 (91.6%)	42 (5.9%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.4%)	13.9	521^st of 588 public middle schools	11.4%		14.2	519^th of 577 public middle schools	10.1%	2				13.5	17.3	22.4	4.4	9.8	18.8	11.3	15.2	$12,879	$722	$12,157
Stockbridge Middle School	Public	6-8	533 Old Conyers Rd	Stockbridge	30281	Henry County	Henry County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 474-5710	636	35	18.3	82.5%	54 (8.5%)	382 (60.1%)	159 (25.0%)	18 (2.8%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.0%)	11.8	546^th of 588 public middle schools	7.1%		13.8	522^nd of 577 public middle schools	9.5%	24	73.3			17.2	14.4	23.1	7.3	5.3	13.3	3.1	15.5	$9,287	$643	$8,644
Sequoyah Middle School	Public	6-8	95 Valley Hill Rd SW	Riverdale	30274	Clayton County	Clayton County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 515-7524	796	48	16.5	100.0%	4 (0.5%)	531 (66.7%)	227 (28.5%)	12 (1.5%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	16 (2.0%)	14	519^th of 588 public middle schools	11.7%		13.7	524^th of 577 public middle schools	9.2%	5	52.0			15.7	17.2	22.3	9.8	12.2	10.7	11.5	14.2	$8,174	$563	$7,611

Frequently Asked Questions about Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School

What district is Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School in?

State Specialty Schools I- Utopian Academy for the Arts Char

How many students attend Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 372 students attended Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School.

Is Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School a good school?

Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School ranks in the bottom 16.0% of Georgia middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School?

Students at Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School are 85% African American, 10% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.