Laurel Ridge Elementary School

Q: Is Laurel Ridge Elementary School a good school?

Laurel Ridge Elementary School ranks 306 th of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Laurel Ridge Elementary School is a public elementary school in Decatur, Georgia, serving 412 students in grades PK-5 as part of the DeKalb County School District.

Laurel Ridge Elementary consistently outperforms the DeKalb County and Georgia state averages in standardized test scores, with 62.3% of 3rd graders proficient or better in English Language Arts compared to 31.6% for DeKalb County and 38.4% for Georgia. The school has maintained a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade, ranking in the top 25% of Georgia elementary schools. Laurel Ridge also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 9.5 to 11.4, and a lower percentage of free and reduced lunch recipients (33.5%) compared to many nearby schools.

While Laurel Ridge Elementary outperforms the district and state, it is outperformed by some nearby schools, such as Oak Grove Elementary and Robert Shaw Theme School, which have even higher proficiency rates and rankings. The lower percentage of free and reduced lunch recipients at Laurel Ridge may contribute to its stronger academic performance, as socioeconomic status is often correlated with educational outcomes. Additionally, Laurel Ridge spends between $12,500 and $13,000 per student, which is higher than the state average but lower than some of the higher-performing nearby schools.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1215 Balsam Dr
Decatur, GA 30033

(678) 874-6902

District: DeKalb County

SchoolDigger Rank:
306^th of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools

Students who attend Laurel Ridge Elementary School usually attend:

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

Student/teacher ratio: 11.4

Number of students: 412

Racial breakdown:

White:

41.3%

African American:

23.5%

Hispanic:

17.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 33.5%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Laurel Ridge Elementary School ranks better than 75.5% of elementary schools in Georgia. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73. (See more...)

Student Body

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Teachers

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Finance

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Schooldigger Rankings:

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

DeKalb County:

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

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Laurel Ridge Elementary School.

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Rank History for Laurel Ridge Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	50.68	625^th	1101	43.2%
2007	62.27	456^th	1125	59.5%
2008	70.45	319^th	1134	71.9%
2009	64.65	428^th	1133	62.2%
2010	52.78	663^rd	1183	44.0%
2011	50.19	712^th	1212	41.3%
2012	55.49	653^rd	1201	45.6%
2013	57.84	639^th	1225	47.8%
2014	67.87	443^rd	1231	64.0%
2015	70.30	310^th	1240	75.0%
2016	75.50	262^nd	1233	78.8%
2017	76.57	246^th	1205	79.6%
2018	77.32	251^st	1209	79.2%
2019	81.61	208^th	1234	83.1%
2021	52.47	528^th	1214	56.5%
2022	82.28	220^th	1244	82.3%
2023	75.36	278^th	1242	77.6%
2024	73.00	306^th	1248	75.5%

See the entire list of Georgia Elementary 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)

33%

67%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Laurel Ridge Elementary 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	450	450
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	485	485
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	538	538
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	503	503
1994	291	205	18	14	0	n/a	n/a	0	528
1995	245	223	37	12	2	n/a	n/a	0	519
1996	245	223	37	12	2	n/a	n/a	0	519
1997	204	217	38	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	467
1998	183	205	49	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	445
1999	176	202	57	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	442
2000	165	211	46	9	4	n/a	n/a	0	435
2001	136	159	41	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	343
2002	133	129	32	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	304
2003	133	129	32	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	304
2004	153	151	28	15	1	n/a	n/a	0	348
2005	140	135	34	22	0	n/a	n/a	16	347
2006	129	108	24	17	0	n/a	n/a	22	300
2007	135	97	28	18	0	n/a	n/a	23	301
2008	140	95	35	36	0	n/a	n/a	29	335
2009	155	90	35	54	0	n/a	n/a	40	374
2010	152	99	41	75	1	0	38	0	406
2011	130	87	45	61	1	2	28	0	354
2012	194	97	52	58	1	1	20	0	423
2013	213	103	60	52	0	1	15	0	444
2014	201	93	54	67	2	1	12	0	430
2015	190	106	53	81	2	1	14	0	447
2016	214	94	48	89	3	0	17	0	465
2017	230	77	47	96	1	0	26	0	477
2018	223	84	46	87	1	0	32	0	473
2019	276	98	48	85	1	0	41	0	549
2020	193	84	51	81	2	0	34	0	445
2021	159	58	39	82	4	0	33	0	375
2022	170	76	41	81	4	0	29	0	401
2023	170	97	40	73	5	0	27	0	412

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 Laurel Ridge Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	450	34.0	13.2	11.1
1991	485	38.0	12.7	20.4
1992	538	38.0	14.1	26.2
1993	503	38.0	13.2	25.6
1994	528	41.7	12.7	31.4
1995	519	38.0	13.7	30.4
1996	519	38.0	13.7	30.4
1997	467	34.4	13.6	44.5
1998	445	34.5	12.9	39.6
1999	442	36.9	12.0	38.7
2000	435	36.1	12.0	44.1
2001	343	24.6	13.9	40.5
2002	304	27.4	11.1	44.1
2003	304	27.4	11.1	44.1
2004	348	26.0	13.4	47.1
2005	347	30.3	11.5	46.2
2006	300	26.8	11.2	45.7
2007	301	27.9	10.8	41.7
2008	335	27.6	12.1	51
2009	374	30.0	12.5	56
2010	406	31.5	12.8	52.5
2011	354	29.5	12.0	58.2
2012	423	33.4	12.6	46.1
2013	444	34.2	12.9	47.7
2014	430	36.0	11.9	47.2
2015	447	36.0	12.4	45
2016	465	38.0	12.2	41.5
2017	477	39.3	12.1	32.9
2018	473	41.7	11.3	31.9
2019	549	41.5	13.2	28.4
2020	445	37.3	11.9	29.2
2021	375	39.3	9.5	25.3
2022	401	37.3	10.7	n/a
2023	412	36.0	11.4	33.5

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 Laurel Ridge Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	450	34.0	13.2	11.1
1991	485	38.0	12.7	20.4
1992	538	38.0	14.1	26.2
1993	503	38.0	13.2	25.6
1994	528	41.7	12.7	31.4
1995	519	38.0	13.7	30.4
1996	519	38.0	13.7	30.4
1997	467	34.4	13.6	44.5
1998	445	34.5	12.9	39.6
1999	442	36.9	12.0	38.7
2000	435	36.1	12.0	44.1
2001	343	24.6	13.9	40.5
2002	304	27.4	11.1	44.1
2003	304	27.4	11.1	44.1
2004	348	26.0	13.4	47.1
2005	347	30.3	11.5	46.2
2006	300	26.8	11.2	45.7
2007	301	27.9	10.8	41.7
2008	335	27.6	12.1	51
2009	374	30.0	12.5	56
2010	406	31.5	12.8	52.5
2011	354	29.5	12.0	58.2
2012	423	33.4	12.6	46.1
2013	444	34.2	12.9	47.7
2014	430	36.0	11.9	47.2
2015	447	36.0	12.4	45
2016	465	38.0	12.2	41.5
2017	477	39.3	12.1	32.9
2018	473	41.7	11.3	31.9
2019	549	41.5	13.2	28.4
2020	445	37.3	11.9	29.2
2021	375	39.3	9.5	25.3
2022	401	37.3	10.7	n/a
2023	412	36.0	11.4	33.5

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 Laurel Ridge Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$2,349 (18.8%)	$10,167 (81.2%)	$12,516
2018	$1,274 (9.8%)	$11,672 (90.2%)	$12,946
2019	$1,125 (8.7%)	$11,770 (91.3%)	$12,895

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Laurel Ridge 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 208^th of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 278^th of 1242 Elementary schools	5.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Ridge Elementary School)	60	50.7	9.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)	33.5	31.7	1.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Laurel Ridge Elementary School)	66.7	43.5	23.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)	40.1	33.8	6.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Ridge Elementary School)	58	59	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)	34.4	30.2	4.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Laurel Ridge Elementary School)	59.3	66.7	7.4%
4th Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)	35.5	33.9	1.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Laurel Ridge Elementary School)	53.3	54.5	1.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)	37.4	33.9	3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Laurel Ridge Elementary School)	60	38.6	21.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)	30.5	25.3	5.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (Laurel Ridge Elementary School)	63.3	56.8	6.5%
5th Grade Science (DeKalb County)	33.9	27.9	6%
5th Grade Science (Georgia)	43	40	3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	549	412	25%
African American	98	97	1%
American Indian	1	5	400%
Asian	48	40	16.7%
Hispanic	85	73	14.1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	276	170	38.4%
Two or More Races	41	27	34.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	28.4%	33.5%	5.1%

Schools Near Laurel Ridge Elementary 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 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th 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
Laurel Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1215 Balsam Dr	Decatur	30033	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 874-6902	412	36	11.4	33.5%	170 (41.3%)	97 (23.5%)	73 (17.7%)	40 (9.7%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.6%)	73	306^th of 1248 public elementary schools	75.5%		75.4	278^th of 1242 public elementary schools	77.6%	28		62.3	35.3	60.0				57.4	41.2	60.0				64.6			$12,895	$1,125	$11,770
Coralwood Education Center	Public	PK-K	2477 Coralwood Dr	Decatur	30033	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 874-6002	209	27	7.6	25.8%	87 (41.6%)	48 (23.0%)	33 (15.8%)	18 (8.6%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (10.0%)								(n/a)																	$36,316	$5,842	$30,474
McLendon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3169 Hollywood Dr	Decatur	30033	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-5902	309	25	12.2	100.0%	20 (6.5%)	184 (59.5%)	50 (16.2%)	28 (9.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (8.4%)	29.5	862^nd of 1248 public elementary schools	30.9%		37.8	728^th of 1242 public elementary schools	41.4%	134		22.6	35.6	32.1				12.9	50.0	19.6				23.2			$14,739	$776	$13,963
International Community School	Public, Charter	K-5	2418 Wood Trail Ln	Decatur	30033	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	Yes	No	No	Yes	(404) 499-8969	448	31	14.4	62.9%	76 (17.0%)	168 (37.5%)	20 (4.5%)	165 (36.8%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.6%)	51.5	549^th of 1248 public elementary schools	56.0%		50.4	546^th of 1242 public elementary schools	56.0%	3		52.9	28.8	38.8				50.0	34.8	43.3				38.8			$3,776	$691	$3,085
Oak Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1857 Oak Grove Rd NE	Atlanta	30345	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 874-7402	365	31	11.8	5.2%	221 (60.5%)	41 (11.2%)	30 (8.2%)	48 (13.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.8%)	92.5	103^rd of 1248 public elementary schools	91.7%		94.4	79^th of 1242 public elementary schools	93.6%	24		76.9	63.2	87.5				82.7	57.9	81.3				75.0			$14,001	$1,600	$12,400
Briarlake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3590 Lavista Rd	Decatur	30033	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 874-2502	378	35	10.9	25.9%	171 (45.2%)	81 (21.4%)	69 (18.3%)	28 (7.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	27 (7.1%)	79.6	239^th of 1248 public elementary schools	80.8%		80.1	225^th of 1242 public elementary schools	81.9%	14		64.2	44.8	73.6				58.5	49.3	58.5				63.5			$15,288	$1,886	$13,401
Sagamore Hills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1865 Alderbrook Rd NE	Atlanta	30345	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 874-7502	429	36	11.8	23.8%	205 (47.8%)	82 (19.1%)	95 (22.1%)	20 (4.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.8%)	81	221^st of 1248 public elementary schools	82.3%		85.2	179^th of 1242 public elementary schools	85.6%	42		57.6	56.5	54.4				51.5	69.1	52.6				68.4			$13,608	$1,441	$12,167
Robert Shaw Theme School	Public	PK, KG-5	385 Glendale Rd	Scottdale	30079	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-6002	343	27	12.7	100.0%	5 (1.5%)	316 (92.1%)	10 (2.9%)	10 (2.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	92	110^th of 1248 public elementary schools	91.2%		73.9	291^st of 1242 public elementary schools	76.6%	181		79.6	69.2	69.0				75.5	67.3	66.7				61.9			$12,453	$801	$11,652
GLOBE Academy Charter School I	Public, Charter	K-8	2225 Heritage Dr NE	Atlanta	30345	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	Yes	No	No	No	(404) 867-6183	1,051	76	13.8	17.2%	403 (38.3%)	288 (27.4%)	195 (18.6%)	66 (6.3%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	95 (9.0%)	78.8	245^th of 1248 public elementary schools	80.4%		81.8	208^th of 1242 public elementary schools	83.3%	37	60.4	56.8	57.7	64.7	72.0	80.2	85.4	57.6	54.1	55.9	43.0	70.3	69.9	42.2	60.2	70.7	$11,643	$299	$11,643
Clairemont Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	155 Erie Ave	Decatur	30030	DeKalb County	City Schools of Decatur	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 370-4450	207	21	9.6	30.4%	85 (41.1%)	76 (36.7%)	17 (8.2%)	15 (7.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (6.8%)								(n/a)																	$13,887	$823	$13,065

Frequently Asked Questions about Laurel Ridge Elementary School

What district is Laurel Ridge Elementary School in?

DeKalb County

What schools do graduates of Laurel Ridge Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Laurel Ridge Elementary School usually go on to attend:

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

How many students attend Laurel Ridge Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 412 students attended Laurel Ridge Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Laurel Ridge Elementary School?

Students at Laurel Ridge Elementary School are 41% White, 24% African American, 18% Hispanic, 10% Asian, 7% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

Is Laurel Ridge Elementary School a good school?

Laurel Ridge Elementary School ranks 306^th of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Laurel Ridge Elementary School!

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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.