Dean Rusk Middle School

Q: Is Dean Rusk Middle School a good school?

Dean Rusk Middle School ranks 83 rd of 588 Georgia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Dean Rusk Middle School is a public middle school located in Canton, Georgia, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,473 students. The school is part of the Cherokee County School District, which is ranked 28th out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Dean Rusk Middle School consistently ranks among the top 15% of middle schools in Georgia, ranking 83rd out of 588 schools in the 2023-2024 school year. The school's performance on the Georgia Milestones Assessments is exceptional, with significantly higher proficiency rates compared to the Cherokee County and Georgia averages across multiple subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 98.1% of Dean Rusk students were proficient or better in Algebra I, compared to 52.6% in Cherokee County and 44% statewide. Additionally, the school has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.1, and its spending per student has increased from $7,728 in 2016-2017 to $8,218 in 2018-2019.

While Dean Rusk Middle School outperforms many nearby schools in the Cherokee County School District, such as E.T. Booth Middle School, Woodstock Middle School, and Creekland Middle School, some nearby schools in the Fulton County and Cobb County school districts, such as Crabapple Middle School, Mabry Middle School, and Northwestern Middle School, also demonstrate exceptional academic performance, suggesting a high level of competition in the region.

Detail:

Public 6-8

2761 E Cherokee Dr
Canton, GA 30115

(770) 704-1135

District: Cherokee County

SchoolDigger Rank:
83^rd of 588 Georgia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,218

Students who attend Dean Rusk Middle School usually attend:

High:

Sequoyah High School

Feeder schools for Dean Rusk Middle School:

Elementary:	Hickory Flat Elementary School
	Holly Springs Elementary School
	Indian Knoll Elementary
	Mountain Road Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.3

Number of students: 1,483

Racial breakdown:

White:

64.7%

Hispanic:

17.9%

African American:

8.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 32%

See top rated Georgia middle schools

Compare Dean Rusk Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Dean Rusk Middle School ranks better than 85.9% of middle schools in Georgia. It also ranks first among 7 ranked middle schools in the Cherokee County School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.05. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (64.7%), Hispanic (17.9%), African American (8.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 32% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dean Rusk Middle School is 16.3. 5 middle schools in the Cherokee County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Dean Rusk Middle School employs 90.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dean Rusk Middle School is $8,218. 4 middle schools in the Cherokee County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Dean Rusk Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Dean Rusk Middle School 83^rd of 588 Georgia public middle schools. (See Dean Rusk Middle School in the ranking list.)

Cherokee County:

SchoolDigger ranks Cherokee County 28^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Dean Rusk Middle School.

What do you think?

Your rating for Dean Rusk Middle School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Dean Rusk Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	81.95	45^th	420	89.3%
2007	80.28	50^th	445	88.8%
2008	78.35	71^st	462	84.6%
2009	81.79	51^st	466	89.1%
2010	78.76	67^th	494	86.4%
2011	77.73	84^th	504	83.3%
2012	77.69	79^th	508	84.4%
2013	77.12	82^nd	527	84.4%
2014	74.99	100^th	521	80.8%
2015	77.87	101^st	537	81.2%
2016	75.57	108^th	545	80.2%
2017	77.44	107^th	539	80.1%
2018	79.70	99^th	543	81.8%
2019	81.86	93^rd	559	83.4%
2021	80.90	79^th	542	85.4%
2022	83.08	80^th	567	85.9%
2023	83.79	82^nd	577	85.8%
2024	84.05	83^rd	588	85.9%

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)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, October 25, 2010

A better than average school with better than average administration. Will be an improvement when school can take over 6th grade as this will lead to some physical improvements that can only make a very good school much better! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Dean Rusk Middle School

Compare

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	700	700
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	999	999
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1071	1071
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1174	1174
1994	1129	6	0	16	4	n/a	n/a	0	1155
1995	1036	7	1	11	5	n/a	n/a	0	1060
1996	1036	7	1	11	5	n/a	n/a	0	1060
1997	778	8	7	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	798
1998	776	8	8	12	3	n/a	n/a	0	807
1999	796	4	5	13	5	n/a	n/a	0	823
2000	838	5	7	20	3	n/a	n/a	0	873
2001	896	13	5	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	939
2002	1014	18	10	43	2	n/a	n/a	0	1087
2003	1014	18	10	43	2	n/a	n/a	0	1087
2004	971	21	9	48	4	n/a	n/a	0	1053
2005	681	28	8	59	2	n/a	n/a	5	783
2006	700	44	14	64	4	n/a	n/a	11	837
2007	723	53	12	83	2	n/a	n/a	21	894
2008	736	50	14	105	2	n/a	n/a	18	925
2009	583	33	10	87	2	n/a	n/a	12	727
2010	649	28	7	85	4	1	11	0	785
2011	678	51	9	89	5	1	0	0	833
2012	681	59	8	86	2	1	6	0	843
2013	664	49	11	91	3	3	16	0	837
2014	675	66	8	89	1	2	26	0	867
2015	697	63	13	93	3	1	31	0	901
2016	696	56	17	128	3	2	29	0	931
2017	1098	97	26	214	5	3	46	0	1489
2018	1146	91	20	207	5	1	50	0	1520
2019	1133	99	23	223	3	2	60	0	1543
2020	1154	101	28	228	2	1	67	0	1581
2021	1089	95	30	243	1	1	61	0	1520
2022	1052	111	36	234	0	0	64	0	1497
2023	986	106	47	266	0	1	67	0	1473
2024	960	120	49	265	0	1	88	0	1483

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 Dean Rusk Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	700	36.0	19.4	3.3
1991	999	44.0	22.7	2.7
1992	1071	59.0	18.1	4.2
1993	1174	69.0	17.0	3.7
1994	1155	70.7	16.3	5.5
1995	1060	66.7	15.9	5.8
1996	1060	66.7	15.9	5.8
1997	798	52.0	15.3	8.4
1998	807	51.6	15.6	6.6
1999	823	55.5	14.8	5.7
2000	873	56.0	15.6	6.8
2001	939	57.2	16.4	7.5
2002	1087	76.3	14.2	10.5
2003	1087	76.3	14.2	10.5
2004	1053	76.0	13.9	11.8
2005	783	65.8	11.9	15
2006	837	65.6	12.8	14.8
2007	894	68.5	13.1	16.8
2008	925	72.6	12.7	17.5
2009	727	60.0	12.1	21.3
2010	785	59.0	13.3	24.7
2011	833	59.3	14.0	25.6
2012	843	54.4	15.4	26.3
2013	837	51.6	16.2	27.6
2014	867	50.2	17.2	28.3
2015	901	50.0	18.0	26.4
2016	931	56.0	16.6	26.2
2017	1489	90.5	16.4	28
2018	1520	92.7	16.3	25.1
2019	1543	93.6	16.4	24.2
2020	1581	97.4	16.2	23.9
2021	1520	90.5	16.7	23.8
2022	1497	99.3	15.0	n/a
2023	1473	97.3	15.1	23.4
2024	1483	90.8	16.3	32

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 Dean Rusk Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	700	36.0	19.4	3.3
1991	999	44.0	22.7	2.7
1992	1071	59.0	18.1	4.2
1993	1174	69.0	17.0	3.7
1994	1155	70.7	16.3	5.5
1995	1060	66.7	15.9	5.8
1996	1060	66.7	15.9	5.8
1997	798	52.0	15.3	8.4
1998	807	51.6	15.6	6.6
1999	823	55.5	14.8	5.7
2000	873	56.0	15.6	6.8
2001	939	57.2	16.4	7.5
2002	1087	76.3	14.2	10.5
2003	1087	76.3	14.2	10.5
2004	1053	76.0	13.9	11.8
2005	783	65.8	11.9	15
2006	837	65.6	12.8	14.8
2007	894	68.5	13.1	16.8
2008	925	72.6	12.7	17.5
2009	727	60.0	12.1	21.3
2010	785	59.0	13.3	24.7
2011	833	59.3	14.0	25.6
2012	843	54.4	15.4	26.3
2013	837	51.6	16.2	27.6
2014	867	50.2	17.2	28.3
2015	901	50.0	18.0	26.4
2016	931	56.0	16.6	26.2
2017	1489	90.5	16.4	28
2018	1520	92.7	16.3	25.1
2019	1543	93.6	16.4	24.2
2020	1581	97.4	16.2	23.9
2021	1520	90.5	16.7	23.8
2022	1497	99.3	15.0	n/a
2023	1473	97.3	15.1	23.4
2024	1483	90.8	16.3	32

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 Dean Rusk Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$191 (2.5%)	$7,538 (97.5%)	$7,728
2018	$164 (2.1%)	$7,757 (97.9%)	$7,921
2019	$157 (1.9%)	$8,061 (98.1%)	$8,218

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Dean Rusk Middle 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 93^rd of 559 Middle schools	Ranks 82^nd of 577 Middle schools	2.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Dean Rusk Middle School)	63.6	46.9	16.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee County)	58.3	45.6	12.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	46	39.2	6.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Dean Rusk Middle School)	57.3	49.6	7.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County)	52.1	45.2	6.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	40	32.9	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Dean Rusk Middle School)	57.4	53	4.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee County)	51	43.7	7.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	39	39.1	0.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Dean Rusk Middle School)	55.3	54.1	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County)	53.2	44.6	8.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	43	34.9	8.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Dean Rusk Middle School)	70.6	57.2	13.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee County)	62	47.6	14.4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	47	42.1	4.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Dean Rusk Middle School)	42.9	55.3	12.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee County)	42.1	47.3	5.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	35	36.2	1.2%
8th Grade Science (Dean Rusk Middle School)	33.2	39.5	6.3%
8th Grade Science (Cherokee County)	35.8	31.2	4.6%
8th Grade Science (Georgia)	32	26.4	5.6%
8th Grade Social Studies (Dean Rusk Middle School)	56.5	59.7	3.2%
8th Grade Social Studies (Cherokee County)	52.4	48.3	4.1%
8th Grade Social Studies (Georgia)	41	35.9	5.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Dean Rusk Middle School)	86.9	99.1	12.2%
End of Course Algebra I (Cherokee County)	51.4	47.4	4%
End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)	41.1	35.8	5.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1543	1473	4.5%
African American	99	106	7.1%
American Indian	3	0	100%
Asian	23	47	104.3%
Hispanic	223	266	19.3%
Pacific Islander	2	1	50%
White	1133	986	13%
Two or More Races	60	67	11.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	24.2%	23.4%	0.8%

Schools Near Dean Rusk Middle 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 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 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
Dean Rusk Middle School	Public	6-8	2761 E Cherokee Dr	Canton	30115	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	No	(770) 704-1135	1,483	91	16.3	32.0%	960 (64.7%)	120 (8.1%)	265 (17.9%)	49 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	88 (5.9%)	84	83^rd of 588 public middle schools	85.9%		83.8	82^nd of 577 public middle schools	85.8%	1	98.1	54.3	52.5	55.0	55.9	57.8	59.7	40.3	61.0	$8,218	$157	$8,061
Mill Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	442 Arnold Mill Rd	Woodstock	30188	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	No	(770) 721-6400	1,388	86	16.2	31.9%	833 (60.0%)	101 (7.3%)	308 (22.2%)	68 (4.9%)	6 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	71 (5.1%)	79.9	101^st of 588 public middle schools	82.8%		76.8	118^th of 577 public middle schools	79.5%	17	95.7	58.3	58.9	54.6	51.9	56.7	44.9	34.8	49.1	$8,538	$238	$8,299
Freedom Middle School	Public	6-8	10550 Bells Ferry Rd	Canton	30114	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	No	(770) 704-1100	904	55	16.4	28.4%	620 (68.6%)	84 (9.3%)	124 (13.7%)	22 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (6.0%)	81.2	98^th of 588 public middle schools	83.3%		80.2	97^th of 577 public middle schools	83.2%	1	100.0	49.8	50.0	55.0	50.6	52.0	67.0	34.5	66.3	$8,699	$157	$8,542
Creekland Middle School	Public	6-8	1555 Owens Store Rd	Canton	30115	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	No	(770) 704-4460	1,484	92	16.2	21.2%	1,189 (80.1%)	41 (2.8%)	170 (11.5%)	20 (1.3%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	58 (3.9%)	83.6	84^th of 588 public middle schools	85.7%		84.8	77^th of 577 public middle schools	86.7%	7	98.8	56.5	55.4	53.0	56.7	59.9	62.5	36.6	50.9	$7,965	$180	$7,785
Teasley Middle School	Public	6-8	151 Hickory Log Dr	Canton	30114	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 721-5420	1,552	117	13.2	57.2%	773 (49.8%)	113 (7.3%)	584 (37.6%)	11 (0.7%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	66 (4.3%)	50.3	273^rd of 588 public middle schools	53.6%		46.3	287^th of 577 public middle schools	50.3%	14	100.0	35.3	39.4	37.3	29.9	36.3	48.8	27.5	28.6	$9,443	$652	$8,791
Northwestern Middle School	Public	6-8	12805 Birmingham Hwy	Alpharetta	30004	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-2870	1,118	81	13.8	11.0%	724 (64.8%)	95 (8.5%)	100 (8.9%)	136 (12.2%)	5 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	57 (5.1%)	96.8	21^st of 588 public middle schools	96.4%		97.1	18^th of 577 public middle schools	96.9%	3	87.0	81.0	73.9	78.3	70.7	75.4	75.1	51.4	62.6	$10,362	$177	$10,185
Mabry Middle School	Public	6-8	2700 Jims Rd NE	Marietta	30066	Cobb County	Cobb County	No	No	No	No	(770) 928-5546	918	59	15.5	15.4%	613 (66.8%)	67 (7.3%)	109 (11.9%)	81 (8.8%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (4.7%)	96	27^th of 588 public middle schools	95.4%		97.7	14^th of 577 public middle schools	97.6%	13	100.0	71.1	76.6	72.8	72.2	71.1	75.5	44.3	66.4	$8,559	$191	$8,368
Woodstock Middle School	Public	6-8	2000 Towne Lake Hills South Dr	Woodstock	30189	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	No	(770) 721-3060	1,083	75	14.5	42.2%	502 (46.4%)	161 (14.9%)	305 (28.2%)	33 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	82 (7.6%)	66.1	171^st of 588 public middle schools	70.9%		68.7	151^st of 577 public middle schools	73.8%	20	98.5	43.6	43.4	52.2	42.4	39.7	58.8	28.3	37.5	$8,417	$157	$8,260
E. T. Booth Middle School	Public	6-8	6550 Putnam Ford Dr	Woodstock	30189	Cherokee County	Cherokee County	No	No	No	No	(770) 721-5500	1,638	108	15.1	41.7%	861 (52.6%)	203 (12.4%)	406 (24.8%)	66 (4.0%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	99 (6.0%)	72.2	138^th of 588 public middle schools	76.5%		61.5	196^th of 577 public middle schools	66.0%	58	93.0	51.2	48.8	48.6	46.4	51.8	51.0	24.8	49.0	$8,065	$180	$7,885
Crabapple Middle School	Public	6-8	10900 Woodstock Rd.	Roswell	30075	Fulton County	Fulton County	No	No	No	No	(470) 254-4520	910	70	12.9	18.5%	618 (67.9%)	119 (13.1%)	107 (11.8%)	26 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	39 (4.3%)	93.6	41^st of 588 public middle schools	93.0%		93.2	43^rd of 577 public middle schools	92.5%	2	72.5	68.0	67.7	67.9	55.5	67.4	72.5	48.0	66.4	$10,399	$150	$10,249

Frequently Asked Questions about Dean Rusk Middle School

How many students attend Dean Rusk Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,483 students attended Dean Rusk Middle School.

What district is Dean Rusk Middle School in?

Cherokee County

What is the racial makeup of Dean Rusk Middle School?

Students at Dean Rusk Middle School are 65% White, 18% Hispanic, 8% African American, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Is Dean Rusk Middle School a good school?

Dean Rusk Middle School ranks 83^rd of 588 Georgia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Dean Rusk Middle School attend?

Students who attend Dean Rusk Middle School usually go on to attend Sequoyah High School

Rate Dean Rusk Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

GAGeorgia Middle School Rankings

GAGeorgia District Rankings

Schools in Canton, GA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Dean Rusk Middle School!

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.