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Fernbank Elementary School

Summary:

Fernbank Elementary School is a public elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia, serving 744 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the DeKalb County School District, which is ranked 138 out of 203 districts in the state.

Fernbank Elementary consistently outperforms the DeKalb County and Georgia state averages in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Fernbank's 5th-grade students scored 75.5% proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 40.8% for DeKalb County and 48.2% for the state. The school has a strong track record of high rankings and ratings from SchoolDigger, with a consistent 4- or 5-star rating over the past 10 years. Fernbank also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio and a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch compared to surrounding schools.

When comparing Fernbank Elementary to nearby schools, Mary Lin Elementary and Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary, both in the Atlanta Public Schools district, have even higher academic performance than Fernbank. Schools in the City Schools of Decatur district, such as Glennwood Elementary, Winnona Park Elementary, and Oakhurst Elementary, also have strong academic performance and rankings, comparable to or exceeding Fernbank Elementary.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 157 Heaton Park Dr NE
       Atlanta, GA  30307

(678) 874-9302

District: DeKalb County

SchoolDigger Rank:
162nd of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools


Students who attend Fernbank Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Druid Hills Middle School
High:    Druid Hills High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.4 Help
Number of students:  744

Racial breakdown:

White:
50.9%
African American:
20.0%
Asian:
15.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  18.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Fernbank Elementary School ranks better than 87% of elementary schools in Georgia. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 87.17. (See more...)
Student Body
Teachers
Finance
Schooldigger Rankings:

Fernbank Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

DeKalb County:

SchoolDigger ranks DeKalb County 138th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Fernbank Elementary School?

Rank History for Fernbank Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools GA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 88.47 43rd 1101 96.1%
2007 89.90 33rd 1125 97.1%
2008 89.22 51st 1134 95.5%
2009 90.74 28th 1133 97.5%
2010 86.16 85th 1183 92.8%
2011 85.05 99th 1212 91.8%
2012 82.64 136th 1201 88.7%
2013 82.35 137th 1225 88.8%
2014 84.00 91st 1231 92.6%
2015 95.34 56th 1240 95.5%
2016 91.48 94th 1233 92.4%
2017 75.12 260th 1205 78.4%
2018 61.22 417th 1209 65.5%
2019 65.02 392nd 1234 68.2%
2021 79.85 226th 1214 81.4%
2022 82.78 210th 1244 83.1%
2023 91.04 121st 1242 90.3%
2024 87.17 162nd 1248 87.0%
See the entire list of Georgia Elementary School Rankings!

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

Fernbank Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, January 21, 2024

Open Quote Our family left Fernbank last year and haven't looked back. Our kids loved learning before we started at Fernbank, but it only took until 1st grade for Fernbank to crush that joy. My kids came home everyday hating school. I discovered that the teachers and administrators focused on social issues that were too heavy for their age and made them anxious about the future. The focus on activism meant that my kids were not getting the fundamental lessons that they needed. One of my boys was having trouble writing his letters correctly in 2nd grade, but the teacher was "not concerned". It was only at the end of the year that I discovered why the teacher wasn't concerned, they didn't do any handwritten work, all of their lessons on tablets. In addition, the DCSD heavily focuses on MAP testing students to look for "progress", which sounds like a good thing....except it means that the kids are constantly doing standardized test and teachers are only teaching to the test performance. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, January 31, 2022

Open Quote We heard glowing reviews from parents about Fernbank, so we bought our house specifically to be zoned for this school. We were told that parents are highly engaged and that academics were great. Both things couldn't be further from the truth. Parent "engagement" is a constant barrage of fundraising and because of covid rules parents aren't even allowed in the building, which means the after-school clubs can't be expanded because they won't allow parent volunteers. As for academics, "gifted" means nothing in this school. A gifted child is not challenged and are actually behind when they get to middle-school. Fernbank is no longer the jewel of the Dekalb school district. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, January 31, 2022

Open Quote This used to be a great school with a diverse student body and inclusive environment. During the pandemic, the superintendent and Fernbank principal have developed a curriculum based on social and political issues. If your beliefs do not align with the district and staff at the school then it is an unwelcome environment. Teachers lesson plans are not focused on reading or math and helping kids catch up from their learning loss due to a full year of virtual learning (March 2020-March 2021). Instead of focusing on reading or math, they focus on gender and racial identity. It is a shame that our children are in the hands of people that don't care about anything other than their own radical political points of view. Some veteran teachers are amazing, but other teachers are dividing 3rd grades in the bathroom line by boys, girls and nonbinary. Pushing gender identity in 3rd grade is not appropriate and against state guidelines that sexual education not be taught without informed parental consent. The administration should be focused on closing learning gaps not pushing social and political issues. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, March 23, 2012

Open Quote Great school Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, October 27, 2011

Open Quote This school is an example of what elementary education in America should be. The administration is effective, the teachers are well qualified and excited about their students and their job, and the parents are very involved in supporting the school. They have a wonderful art program and a free-standing science lab. They also have a stellar musical education program. This is a wonderful school! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Fernbank Elementary School

Help
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 612 612
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 614 614
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 593 593
1993 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 634 634
1994 341 305 29 9 0 n/a n/a 0 684
1995 366 296 20 9 0 n/a n/a 0 691
1996 366 296 20 9 0 n/a n/a 0 691
1997 378 264 18 7 0 n/a n/a 0 667
1998 398 243 21 5 1 n/a n/a 0 668
1999 411 208 31 7 1 n/a n/a 0 658
2000 410 171 30 7 1 n/a n/a 0 619
2001 362 102 34 8 1 n/a n/a 0 507
2002 364 48 33 12 0 n/a n/a 0 457
2003 364 48 33 12 0 n/a n/a 0 457
2004 338 46 38 11 0 n/a n/a 0 433
2005 312 59 48 6 0 n/a n/a 16 441
2006 334 61 57 4 0 n/a n/a 18 474
2007 336 78 73 6 0 n/a n/a 28 521
2008 362 82 82 3 0 n/a n/a 31 560
2009 378 91 97 4 1 n/a n/a 37 608
2010 415 95 113 27 1 0 30 0 681
2011 442 91 99 23 0 0 34 0 689
2012 433 88 128 30 0 0 26 0 705
2013 414 92 110 25 2 1 32 0 676
2014 376 93 90 24 1 1 25 0 610
2015 351 111 89 23 1 1 29 0 605
2016 331 120 83 20 2 1 26 0 583
2017 301 168 95 268 4 3 20 0 859
2018 296 190 89 265 4 0 24 0 868
2019 275 150 87 272 3 0 31 0 818
2020 389 174 155 50 6 0 43 0 817
2021 364 156 140 44 7 0 44 0 755
2022 366 172 134 45 7 0 46 0 770
2023 379 149 113 49 8 0 46 0 744

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 Fernbank Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 612 35.0 17.4 11.9
1991 614 38.0 16.1 11.7
1992 593 37.0 16.0 10.5
1993 634 34.0 18.6 10.7
1994 684 38.5 17.8 11.5
1995 691 37.0 18.7 13
1996 691 37.0 18.7 13
1997 667 34.4 19.4 14.4
1998 668 36.7 18.2 11.2
1999 658 39.1 16.8 12
2000 619 38.8 16.0 14.5
2001 507 33.7 15.0 9.5
2002 457 35.1 13.0 9.2
2003 457 35.1 13.0 9.2
2004 433 33.0 13.1 7.9
2005 441 32.3 13.7 7.1
2006 474 31.3 15.1 7
2007 521 34.9 14.9 9.1
2008 560 40.1 14.0 10.8
2009 608 42.9 14.2 9.8
2010 681 43.5 15.6 10.6
2011 689 43.5 15.8 9.1
2012 705 42.8 16.4 9.5
2013 676 43.3 15.6 9.9
2014 610 40.5 15.0 11
2015 605 40.0 15.1 12.1
2016 583 40.0 14.5 13.9
2017 859 66.5 12.9 39.1
2018 868 64.0 13.5 38.7
2019 818 67.2 12.1 42.5
2020 817 64.0 12.7 22.2
2021 755 60.5 12.4 19.3
2022 770 58.0 13.2 n/a
2023 744 55.2 13.4 18.4

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 Fernbank Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 612 35.0 17.4 11.9
1991 614 38.0 16.1 11.7
1992 593 37.0 16.0 10.5
1993 634 34.0 18.6 10.7
1994 684 38.5 17.8 11.5
1995 691 37.0 18.7 13
1996 691 37.0 18.7 13
1997 667 34.4 19.4 14.4
1998 668 36.7 18.2 11.2
1999 658 39.1 16.8 12
2000 619 38.8 16.0 14.5
2001 507 33.7 15.0 9.5
2002 457 35.1 13.0 9.2
2003 457 35.1 13.0 9.2
2004 433 33.0 13.1 7.9
2005 441 32.3 13.7 7.1
2006 474 31.3 15.1 7
2007 521 34.9 14.9 9.1
2008 560 40.1 14.0 10.8
2009 608 42.9 14.2 9.8
2010 681 43.5 15.6 10.6
2011 689 43.5 15.8 9.1
2012 705 42.8 16.4 9.5
2013 676 43.3 15.6 9.9
2014 610 40.5 15.0 11
2015 605 40.0 15.1 12.1
2016 583 40.0 14.5 13.9
2017 859 66.5 12.9 39.1
2018 868 64.0 13.5 38.7
2019 818 67.2 12.1 42.5
2020 817 64.0 12.7 22.2
2021 755 60.5 12.4 19.3
2022 770 58.0 13.2 n/a
2023 744 55.2 13.4 18.4

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 Fernbank Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017 $832 (7.5%) $10,335 (92.5%) $11,167
2018 $347 (3.1%) $10,874 (96.9%) $11,221
2019 $531 (13.3%) $3,471 (86.7%) $4,002

Data source: Georgia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Fernbank Elementary 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 392nd of 1234 Elementary schoolsRanks 121st of 1242 Elementary schools
 22%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Fernbank Elementary School)52.167.2
 15.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)33.531.7
 1.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)4238.6
 3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Fernbank Elementary School)59.763.9
 4.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)40.133.8
 6.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)5245.6
 6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Fernbank Elementary School)50.766.4
 15.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)34.430.2
 4.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)4236.1
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Fernbank Elementary School)48.666.4
 17.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)35.533.9
 1.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)4945.7
 3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Fernbank Elementary School)49.664
 14.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)37.433.9
 3.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)4541.6
 3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Fernbank Elementary School)42.361
 18.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)30.525.3
 5.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)4137.4
 3.6%
5th Grade Science (Fernbank Elementary School)46.368
 21.7%
   5th Grade Science (DeKalb County)33.927.9
 6%
   5th Grade Science (Georgia)4340
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students818744
 9%
African American150149
 0.7%
American Indian38
 166.7%
Asian87113
 29.9%
Hispanic27249
 82%
Pacific Islander00
White275379
 37.8%
Two or More Races3146
 48.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients42.5%18.4%
 24.1%

Schools Near Fernbank Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Fernbank Elementary School

Students at Fernbank Elementary School are 51% White, 20% African American, 15% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 744 students attended Fernbank Elementary School.

Students who attend Fernbank Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Druid Hills Middle School
High : Druid Hills High School

Fernbank Elementary School ranks 162nd of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.


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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.




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