Bethesda Elementary School

Q: Is Bethesda Elementary School a good school?

Bethesda Elementary School ranks 582 nd of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Bethesda Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 1,148 students. The school is part of the Gwinnett County School District, which is ranked 65th out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bethesda Elementary consistently underperforms compared to the Gwinnett County and Georgia state averages in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science on the Milestones Assessments. For example, in 2023-2024, only 29.3% of 3rd graders, 30.8% of 4th graders, and 48.7% of 5th graders were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the Gwinnett County averages of 42.1%, 42.3%, and 53.4%, respectively. Additionally, Bethesda Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 75.57% to 78.05% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state average and indicates a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When comparing Bethesda Elementary to the nearby schools in the Gwinnett County district, it becomes clear that Bethesda is underperforming academically. For example, Gwin Oaks Elementary, which is only about 2 miles away, consistently outperforms Bethesda on the Milestones Assessments, with over 60% of students proficient or better in ELA, Math, and Science. Bethesda Elementary's performance on the Milestones Assessments has also declined over the past few years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 318th out of 1,209 Georgia elementary schools in 2017-2018 to 582nd out of 1,248 in 2023-2024. This trend is concerning and suggests that the school may be facing challenges in effectively educating its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

525 Bethesda School Rd
Lawrenceville, GA 30044

(770) 921-2000

District: Gwinnett County

SchoolDigger Rank:
582^nd of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools

Students who attend Bethesda Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Sweetwater Middle School
High:	Berkmar High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.9

Number of students: 1,148

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

63.7%

African American:

20.5%

Asian:

9.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 78%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Bethesda Elementary School ranks better than 53.4% of elementary schools in Georgia. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.04. (See more...)

Student Body

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Teachers

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Finance

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Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Gwinnett County:

SchoolDigger ranks Gwinnett County 65^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Bethesda Elementary School.

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Rank History for Bethesda Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	64.89	436^th	1101	60.4%
2007	61.62	468^th	1125	58.4%
2008	62.82	448^th	1134	60.5%
2009	43.69	730^th	1133	35.6%
2010	54.49	633^rd	1183	46.5%
2011	70.47	385^th	1212	68.2%
2012	74.23	298^th	1201	75.2%
2013	71.01	377^th	1225	69.2%
2014	65.75	491^st	1231	60.1%
2015	54.63	523^rd	1240	57.8%
2016	61.12	423^rd	1233	65.7%
2017	61.96	402^nd	1205	66.6%
2018	70.87	318^th	1209	73.7%
2019	63.82	405^th	1234	67.2%
2021	39.40	685^th	1214	43.6%
2022	45.27	626^th	1244	49.7%
2023	49.87	551^st	1242	55.6%
2024	48.04	582^nd	1248	53.4%

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: 3.7)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, July 21, 2022

My son has attended Bethesda for the last 4 years and I have nothing but great things to say. As soon as you walk through the door everyone you talk to is friendly and willing to help. I was not asked to write this but felt that I should. The DSL program is also great. Look it up. Thank you FOR ALL YOU DO! Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, November 15, 2018

BE WARNED! The principal is very hands off and nonchalant as it relates to instruction and discipline. Bullies control the building, teachers' hands are tied, and administrators are "working on things". My daughter has been stabbed, punched, and spat on since September, but they are "working on it." Close Quote

Enrollment information for Bethesda 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	968	968
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	950	950
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	981	981
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1074	1074
1994	876	111	70	55	6	n/a	n/a	0	1118
1995	659	73	45	44	1	n/a	n/a	0	822
1996	659	73	45	44	1	n/a	n/a	0	822
1997	664	111	70	58	1	n/a	n/a	0	904
1998	683	159	101	76	2	n/a	n/a	0	1021
1999	669	258	134	105	1	n/a	n/a	0	1167
2000	552	273	119	125	0	n/a	n/a	0	1069
2001	487	296	155	177	0	n/a	n/a	0	1115
2002	355	342	173	338	4	n/a	n/a	0	1212
2003	355	342	173	338	4	n/a	n/a	0	1212
2004	249	256	141	349	4	n/a	n/a	0	999
2005	159	227	156	424	2	n/a	n/a	34	1002
2006	133	239	163	547	2	n/a	n/a	29	1113
2007	107	213	154	590	0	n/a	n/a	38	1102
2008	84	226	125	665	1	n/a	n/a	31	1132
2009	76	241	121	696	0	n/a	n/a	47	1181
2010	79	259	131	684	4	0	30	0	1187
2011	81	290	149	660	4	1	29	0	1214
2012	86	297	143	697	4	3	33	0	1263
2013	84	293	159	715	5	4	31	0	1291
2014	72	304	165	771	2	2	28	0	1344
2015	78	331	165	765	1	2	24	0	1366
2016	63	283	158	727	1	1	13	0	1246
2017	61	248	142	767	0	1	10	0	1229
2018	63	239	123	745	0	2	10	0	1182
2019	62	267	109	755	0	0	16	0	1209
2020	59	287	98	753	1	1	20	0	1219
2021	49	255	103	744	1	1	22	0	1175
2022	58	249	104	727	1	1	20	0	1160
2023	45	235	104	731	1	1	31	0	1148

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 Bethesda Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	968	52.0	18.6	0.6
1991	950	49.0	19.3	7.2
1992	981	58.5	16.7	9.7
1993	1074	54.0	19.9	12.9
1994	1118	58.0	19.3	14.1
1995	822	44.7	18.4	12.8
1996	822	44.7	18.4	12.8
1997	904	53.2	17.0	17.6
1998	1021	61.3	16.7	21.4
1999	1167	72.7	16.1	27.8
2000	1069	71.6	14.9	28.7
2001	1115	79.4	14.0	31.6
2002	1212	84.4	14.4	43.2
2003	1212	84.4	14.4	43.2
2004	999	70.3	14.2	52.8
2005	1002	78.8	12.7	66.9
2006	1113	88.8	12.5	73.3
2007	1102	91.0	12.1	78.1
2008	1132	88.0	12.9	77.5
2009	1181	91.0	13.0	83.3
2010	1187	90.0	13.1	83.7
2011	1214	85.0	14.2	85.3
2012	1263	83.0	15.2	87.4
2013	1291	85.6	15.0	86.4
2014	1344	85.0	15.8	85.6
2015	1366	91.0	15.0	84.2
2016	1246	84.0	14.8	85.1
2017	1229	86.5	14.2	85.4
2018	1182	81.5	14.5	84.6
2019	1209	84.5	14.3	82.5
2020	1219	84.5	14.4	80.7
2021	1175	84.5	13.9	75.6
2022	1160	83.6	13.8	n/a
2023	1148	88.5	12.9	78

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 Bethesda Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	968	52.0	18.6	0.6
1991	950	49.0	19.3	7.2
1992	981	58.5	16.7	9.7
1993	1074	54.0	19.9	12.9
1994	1118	58.0	19.3	14.1
1995	822	44.7	18.4	12.8
1996	822	44.7	18.4	12.8
1997	904	53.2	17.0	17.6
1998	1021	61.3	16.7	21.4
1999	1167	72.7	16.1	27.8
2000	1069	71.6	14.9	28.7
2001	1115	79.4	14.0	31.6
2002	1212	84.4	14.4	43.2
2003	1212	84.4	14.4	43.2
2004	999	70.3	14.2	52.8
2005	1002	78.8	12.7	66.9
2006	1113	88.8	12.5	73.3
2007	1102	91.0	12.1	78.1
2008	1132	88.0	12.9	77.5
2009	1181	91.0	13.0	83.3
2010	1187	90.0	13.1	83.7
2011	1214	85.0	14.2	85.3
2012	1263	83.0	15.2	87.4
2013	1291	85.6	15.0	86.4
2014	1344	85.0	15.8	85.6
2015	1366	91.0	15.0	84.2
2016	1246	84.0	14.8	85.1
2017	1229	86.5	14.2	85.4
2018	1182	81.5	14.5	84.6
2019	1209	84.5	14.3	82.5
2020	1219	84.5	14.4	80.7
2021	1175	84.5	13.9	75.6
2022	1160	83.6	13.8	n/a
2023	1148	88.5	12.9	78

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 Bethesda Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$812 (9.2%)	$7,996 (90.8%)	$8,807
2018	$872 (9.3%)	$8,533 (90.7%)	$9,405
2019	$803 (8.2%)	$9,009 (91.8%)	$9,812

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bethesda 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 405^th of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 551^st of 1242 Elementary schools	11.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bethesda Elementary School)	38.4	27.4	11%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Gwinnett County)	49.8	44.9	4.9%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bethesda Elementary School)	49.7	41.3	8.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Gwinnett County)	60.2	51.9	8.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bethesda Elementary School)	38.6	29.2	9.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Gwinnett County)	51.4	42.5	8.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bethesda Elementary School)	55.6	45.9	9.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Gwinnett County)	60.5	54.3	6.2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bethesda Elementary School)	46.4	42.3	4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Gwinnett County)	53.5	48.6	4.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bethesda Elementary School)	51.7	37.7	14%
5th Grade Mathematics (Gwinnett County)	52.5	45.4	7.1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (Bethesda Elementary School)	57.8	43.4	14.4%
5th Grade Science (Gwinnett County)	56.1	50.9	5.2%
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	1209	1148	5%
African American	267	235	12%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	109	104	4.6%
Hispanic	755	731	3.2%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	62	45	27.4%
Two or More Races	16	31	93.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	82.5%	78%	4.4%

Schools Near Bethesda Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)			Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)			Milestones Assessment Science (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 English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bethesda Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	525 Bethesda School Rd	Lawrenceville	30044	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 921-2000	1,148	89	12.9	78.0%	45 (3.9%)	235 (20.5%)	731 (63.7%)	104 (9.1%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	31 (2.7%)	48	582^nd of 1248 public elementary schools	53.4%		49.9	551^st of 1242 public elementary schools	55.6%	31	29.3	30.8	48.7	37.9	43.2	36.3	48.2	$9,812	$803	$9,009
Alford Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2625 Lawrenceville Hwy	Lawrenceville	30044	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 924-5300	896	66	13.6	79.1%	71 (7.9%)	193 (21.5%)	526 (58.7%)	81 (9.0%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (2.6%)	20.7	1000^th of 1248 public elementary schools	19.9%		24.6	925^th of 1242 public elementary schools	25.5%	75	17.4	22.8	24.8	31.9	30.9	19.0	21.6	$9,679	$940	$8,739
Kanoheda Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1025 Herrington Rd	Lawrenceville	30044	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 682-4221	890	73	12.2	82.9%	33 (3.7%)	206 (23.1%)	595 (66.9%)	38 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (2.0%)	41.5	670^th of 1248 public elementary schools	46.3%		39.6	694^th of 1242 public elementary schools	44.1%	24	33.1	30.6	35.8	44.8	39.6	30.1	36.6	$12,010	$1,169	$10,841
Baggett Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2136 Old Norcross Rd	Lawrenceville	30044	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 301-6100	1,020	83	12.2	84.3%	50 (4.9%)	302 (29.6%)	567 (55.6%)	66 (6.5%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	32 (3.1%)	29.4	864^th of 1248 public elementary schools	30.8%		35.9	757^th of 1242 public elementary schools	39.0%	107	25.3	21.7	31.9	33.3	33.9	30.1	31.1	$9,776	$808	$8,968
Gwin Oaks Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	400 Gwin Oaks Dr	Lawrenceville	30044	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	No	(770) 972-3110	1,060	74	14.2	36.3%	276 (26.0%)	237 (22.4%)	229 (21.6%)	248 (23.4%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	65 (6.1%)	93.4	89^th of 1248 public elementary schools	92.9%		95.3	68^th of 1242 public elementary schools	94.5%	21	64.6	72.7	70.5	79.2	87.2	62.6	64.7	$9,153	$95	$9,058
Corley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1331 Pleasant Hill Rd	Lawrenceville	30044	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 924-5330	1,096	86	12.8	87.3%	25 (2.3%)	263 (24.0%)	739 (67.4%)	42 (3.8%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (2.2%)	25.1	927^th of 1248 public elementary schools	25.7%		42.3	652^nd of 1242 public elementary schools	47.5%	275	23.3	20.5	23.4	37.3	41.3	18.2	23.6	$9,328	$710	$8,619
Minor Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4129 Shady Dr NW	Lilburn	30047	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 925-9543	899	76	11.7	79.9%	52 (5.8%)	196 (21.8%)	540 (60.1%)	84 (9.3%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.4%)	22.3	977^th of 1248 public elementary schools	21.7%		37.3	737^th of 1242 public elementary schools	40.7%	240	18.8	15.8	30.9	26.4	21.0	28.2	32.2	$10,626	$863	$9,763
Ferguson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1755 Centerview Dr	Duluth	30096	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 245-5450	819	67	12.2	80.0%	36 (4.4%)	252 (30.8%)	461 (56.3%)	42 (5.1%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	24 (2.9%)	30.6	842^nd of 1248 public elementary schools	32.5%		31.7	809^th of 1242 public elementary schools	34.9%	33	33.1	32.1	22.1	42.6	30.7	18.5	26.4	$10,032	$934	$9,098
Knight Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	401 N River Dr SW	Lilburn	30047	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 921-2400	869	65	13.2	64.0%	151 (17.4%)	156 (18.0%)	394 (45.3%)	129 (14.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (4.5%)	66.4	386^th of 1248 public elementary schools	69.1%		75	279^th of 1242 public elementary schools	77.5%	107	43.0	38.6	56.5	52.3	56.4	41.6	52.8	$9,566	$715	$8,850
Cedar Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3615 Sugarloaf Pkwy	Lawrenceville	30044	Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County	No	No	No	Yes	(770) 962-5015	900	66	13.7	78.2%	66 (7.3%)	299 (33.2%)	419 (46.6%)	78 (8.7%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (3.7%)	27.6	887^th of 1248 public elementary schools	28.9%		38.1	719^th of 1242 public elementary schools	42.1%	168	30.5	18.5	25.0	34.4	32.1	28.6	30.0	$9,973	$749	$9,224

Frequently Asked Questions about Bethesda Elementary School

How many students attend Bethesda Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,148 students attended Bethesda Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Bethesda Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Sweetwater Middle School
High : Berkmar High School

Is Bethesda Elementary School a good school?

Bethesda Elementary School ranks 582^nd of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Bethesda Elementary School?

Students at Bethesda Elementary School are 64% Hispanic, 20% African American, 9% Asian, 4% White, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Bethesda Elementary School in?

Gwinnett County

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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.