Shaw High School

Q: Is Shaw High School a good school?

Shaw High School ranks 316 th of 458 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Shaw High School is a public high school located in Columbus, Georgia, serving 1,234 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Muscogee County School District, which is ranked 155 out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Shaw High School has maintained a relatively high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 87.9% to 91.8% over the past five years, its test scores on the Milestones Assessments are generally lower than the Muscogee County and Georgia state averages across all subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in American Literature and Composition was 33% at Shaw High School, compared to 35.2% in Muscogee County and 42% statewide. Additionally, Shaw High School has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 96.56% to 96.6% over the past three years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

Interestingly, while Shaw High School's performance is generally lower than the state and district averages, it is not the lowest-performing school in the area. Schools like Spencer High School, Carver High School, and Jordan Vocational High School have even lower test scores and graduation rates than Shaw High School. In contrast, the nearby Rainey McCullers School of the Arts stands out as a high-performing outlier, with significantly higher test scores and a 100% four-year graduation rate, suggesting potential opportunities for Shaw High School to learn from its practices and strategies.

Detail:

Public 9-12

7579 Raider Way
Columbus, GA 31909

(706) 569-3638

District: Muscogee County

SchoolDigger Rank:
316^th of 458 Georgia High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,749

Feeder schools for Shaw High School:

Elementary:	Eagle Ridge Academy
	Mathews Elementary School
	Midland Academy
Middle:	Aaron Cohn Middle School
	Blackmon Road Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.9

Number of students: 1,234

Racial breakdown:

African American:

52.9%

White:

18.4%

Hispanic:

17.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 96.6%

See top rated Georgia high schools

Compare Shaw High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Shaw High School ranks worse than 69% of high schools in Georgia. It also ranks 5^th among 9 ranked high schools in the Muscogee County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.29. (See more...)

The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Shaw High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.

Student Body

Compare Details Shaw High School has the largest high school student body size in the Muscogee County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details

Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Shaw High School is $8,749. 5 high schools in the Muscogee County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Shaw High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Shaw High School 316^th of 458 Georgia public high schools. (See Shaw High School in the ranking list.)

Muscogee County:

SchoolDigger ranks Muscogee County 155^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Shaw High School.

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Rank History for Shaw High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	59.93	117^th	335	65.1%
2007	54.13	162^nd	358	54.7%
2008	55.94	164^th	370	55.7%
2009	57.06	157^th	372	57.8%
2010	48.41	205^th	384	46.6%
2011	57.14	169^th	402	58.0%
2012	56.56	163^rd	396	58.8%
2013	46.74	233^rd	425	45.2%
2014	58.33	136^th	425	68.0%
2015	39.05	230^th	435	47.1%
2016	34.28	250^th	426	41.3%
2017	29.13	280^th	420	33.3%
2018	36.61	235^th	428	45.1%
2019	28.71	305^th	438	30.4%
2021	22.34	321^st	410	21.7%
2022	27.60	289^th	429	32.6%
2023	27.43	299^th	442	32.4%
2024	27.29	316^th	458	31.0%

See the entire list of Georgia High 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: 3.2)

40%

20%

40%

Reviews:

by a student
Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Just a bad school it’s disgusting, most people are rude, and they will not not change the dumb one way hallway rule it’s dumb. Close Quote

by a student
Monday, June 7, 2021

It sucks

by a parent
Monday, May 12, 2014

I am puzzled at the high African American percentage since the area around Shaw is only about 20%. Why are the other families sending their kids to private or homeschooling? Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Both of our daughters attended Shaw High School and were in the Mass Communications Academy. They both were honor students and one was even valedictorian of her class!!
Shaw's magnet students excel. Students not in the magnet are not given the encooragement and time from home nor the faculty. It is time for the parents to step in up a notch and take control of the children's education keeping God first. It is great to be a Shaw Raider. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, February 16, 2012

My daughter attends there and the level of academics has been impressive. She is coming from a gifted program in California, and she has continued to be challenged at Shaw High with her all honors classes. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Shaw High 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	1118	1118
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	1211	1211
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1230	1230
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1186	1186
1994	867	403	10	40	2	n/a	n/a	0	1322
1995	767	488	11	44	1	n/a	n/a	0	1311
1996	767	488	11	44	1	n/a	n/a	0	1311
1997	689	512	11	46	1	n/a	n/a	0	1259
1998	632	552	14	43	2	n/a	n/a	0	1243
1999	609	646	19	47	2	n/a	n/a	0	1323
2000	613	743	25	48	4	n/a	n/a	0	1433
2001	610	726	25	52	3	n/a	n/a	0	1416
2002	543	656	19	48	5	n/a	n/a	0	1271
2003	543	656	19	48	5	n/a	n/a	0	1271
2004	475	649	11	37	1	n/a	n/a	0	1173
2005	391	573	12	45	1	n/a	n/a	31	1053
2006	359	637	19	59	1	n/a	n/a	37	1112
2007	395	618	14	67	3	n/a	n/a	45	1142
2008	449	642	29	63	2	n/a	n/a	56	1241
2009	422	708	25	59	4	n/a	n/a	67	1285
2010	438	721	26	0	5	0	92	0	1282
2011	382	705	34	69	4	0	28	0	1222
2012	395	634	40	83	3	0	35	0	1190
2013	423	563	41	77	3	1	49	0	1157
2014	434	592	30	92	1	2	56	0	1207
2015	427	616	29	108	1	3	60	0	1244
2016	383	611	31	142	0	2	56	0	1225
2017	336	648	40	144	1	2	64	0	1235
2018	326	637	49	154	1	2	82	0	1251
2019	271	604	44	155	1	4	75	0	1154
2020	263	591	38	158	1	6	68	0	1125
2021	251	614	33	174	1	7	84	0	1164
2022	243	612	31	193	3	7	90	0	1179
2023	227	653	31	214	1	3	105	0	1234

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 Shaw High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1118	70.0	15.9	4
1991	1211	71.0	17.0	4.9
1992	1230	70.0	17.5	6.9
1993	1186	70.0	16.9	9.9
1994	1322	77.8	17.0	19
1995	1311	71.0	18.5	12.5
1996	1311	71.0	18.5	12.5
1997	1259	69.1	18.2	21.4
1998	1243	72.7	17.1	28
1999	1323	81.2	16.3	19.9
2000	1433	76.7	18.7	23
2001	1416	76.9	18.4	26.6
2002	1271	78.0	16.3	26.7
2003	1271	78.0	16.3	26.7
2004	1173	77.3	15.2	34.3
2005	1053	75.5	13.9	34.1
2006	1112	77.5	14.3	43.1
2007	1142	79.1	14.4	40.3
2008	1241	81.0	15.3	39.2
2009	1285	81.7	15.7	43.1
2010	1282	79.6	16.1	45.3
2011	1222	75.9	16.1	49.3
2012	1190	79.1	15.0	47.6
2013	1157	76.8	15.0	50.7
2014	1207	78.1	15.4	50.6
2015	1244	70.0	17.7	50.7
2016	1225	72.0	17.0	53.7
2017	1235	71.8	17.2	57.7
2018	1251	74.4	16.8	94.4
2019	1154	77.2	14.9	94.5
2020	1125	74.8	15.0	91.8
2021	1164	76.0	15.3	96.6
2022	1179	74.8	15.7	n/a
2023	1234	73.0	16.9	96.6

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 Shaw High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1118	70.0	15.9	4
1991	1211	71.0	17.0	4.9
1992	1230	70.0	17.5	6.9
1993	1186	70.0	16.9	9.9
1994	1322	77.8	17.0	19
1995	1311	71.0	18.5	12.5
1996	1311	71.0	18.5	12.5
1997	1259	69.1	18.2	21.4
1998	1243	72.7	17.1	28
1999	1323	81.2	16.3	19.9
2000	1433	76.7	18.7	23
2001	1416	76.9	18.4	26.6
2002	1271	78.0	16.3	26.7
2003	1271	78.0	16.3	26.7
2004	1173	77.3	15.2	34.3
2005	1053	75.5	13.9	34.1
2006	1112	77.5	14.3	43.1
2007	1142	79.1	14.4	40.3
2008	1241	81.0	15.3	39.2
2009	1285	81.7	15.7	43.1
2010	1282	79.6	16.1	45.3
2011	1222	75.9	16.1	49.3
2012	1190	79.1	15.0	47.6
2013	1157	76.8	15.0	50.7
2014	1207	78.1	15.4	50.6
2015	1244	70.0	17.7	50.7
2016	1225	72.0	17.0	53.7
2017	1235	71.8	17.2	57.7
2018	1251	74.4	16.8	94.4
2019	1154	77.2	14.9	94.5
2020	1125	74.8	15.0	91.8
2021	1164	76.0	15.3	96.6
2022	1179	74.8	15.7	n/a
2023	1234	73.0	16.9	96.6

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 Shaw High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$311 (4.2%)	$7,025 (95.8%)	$7,336
2018	$332 (4.3%)	$7,373 (95.7%)	$7,705
2019	$367 (4.2%)	$8,382 (95.8%)	$8,749

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Shaw High 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 305^th of 438 High schools	Ranks 299^th of 442 High schools	2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Shaw High School)	31.5	23.5	8%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Muscogee County)	41	34.2	6.8%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Georgia)	47.3	38.9	8.4%
End of Course Algebra I (Shaw High School)	15	11.2	3.8%
End of Course Algebra I (Muscogee County)	29	21.4	7.6%
End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)	41.1	35.8	5.3%
End of Course Biology (Shaw High School)	33.9	35.2	1.3%
End of Course Biology (Muscogee County)	43.3	38.2	5.1%
End of Course Biology (Georgia)	49	45.5	3.5%
End of Course United States History (Shaw High School)	29.2	25.3	3.9%
End of Course United States History (Muscogee County)	40.3	22.5	17.8%
End of Course United States History (Georgia)	48.3	37.1	11.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1154	1234	6.9%
African American	604	653	8.1%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	44	31	29.5%
Hispanic	155	214	38.1%
Pacific Islander	4	3	25%
White	271	227	16.2%
Two or More Races	75	105	40%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	94.5%	96.6%	2.1%

Schools Near Shaw High School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment American Literature and Composition (2024)	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 American Literature and Composition End of Course	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
Shaw High School	Public	9-12	7579 Raider Way	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 569-3638	1,234	73	16.9	96.6%	227 (18.4%)	653 (52.9%)	214 (17.3%)	31 (2.5%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	105 (8.5%)	27.3	316^th of 458 public high schools	31.0%		27.4	299^th of 442 public high schools	32.4%	17	33.0	22.5	29.2	17.9									$8,749	$367	$8,382
Northside High School	Public	9-12	2002 American Way	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 748-2920	1,402	90	15.6	32.1%	628 (44.8%)	441 (31.5%)	176 (12.6%)	56 (4.0%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	97 (6.9%)	64.6	107^th of 458 public high schools	76.6%		61.2	115^th of 442 public high schools	74.0%	8	35.8	49.5	70.0	41.2									$8,127	$325	$7,802
Muscogee Youth Development Campus	Public	5-12	7700 Chattsworth Rd	Midland	31820	Muscogee County	Department of Juvenile Justice	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-2863	49	8	6.1	93.9%	18 (36.7%)	24 (49.0%)	7 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center	Public	5-12	7700-B Chattsworth Rd	Midland	31820	Muscogee County	Department of Juvenile Justice	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 568-2498	8				1 (12.5%)	7 (87.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)		0.0
Hardaway High School	Public	9-12	2901 College Dr	Columbus	31906	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 748-2766	1,184	79	15.0	96.6%	199 (16.8%)	764 (64.5%)	114 (9.6%)	9 (0.8%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	92 (7.8%)	34.3	274^th of 458 public high schools	40.2%		28.4	294^th of 442 public high schools	33.5%	20	36.2	14.8	38.8	19.4									$8,880	$620	$8,259
Jordan Vocational High School	Public	9-12	3200 Howard Ave	Columbus	31904	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 748-2819	869	75	11.5	96.5%	197 (22.7%)	465 (53.5%)	128 (14.7%)	5 (0.6%)	4 (0.5%)	2 (0.2%)	68 (7.8%)	12.3	408^th of 458 public high schools	10.9%		16	373^rd of 442 public high schools	15.6%	35	13.5	16.5	15.3	14.1									$10,851	$1,138	$9,712
Rainey McCullers School of the Arts	Public	6-12	1700 Midtown Dr	Columbus	31906	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 748-3304	384	32	12.0	37.5%	137 (35.7%)	145 (37.8%)	60 (15.6%)	7 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	33 (8.6%)	78.8	52^nd of 458 public high schools	88.6%		69.5	81^st of 442 public high schools	81.7%	29		64.2	71.6	78.3	96.0	73.5	83.3	60.0	44.9	55.6	37.0	68.5	$13,530	$373	$13,157
Columbus High School	Public	9-12	1700 Cherokee Ave	Columbus	31906	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 748-2534	1,131	61	18.5	18.3%	517 (45.7%)	246 (21.8%)	120 (10.6%)	169 (14.9%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	75 (6.6%)	97.2	3^rd of 458 public high schools	99.3%		91.3	16^th of 442 public high schools	96.4%	13	93.5	97.1	88.2	68.1									$7,960	$275	$7,684
Kendrick High School	Public	9-12	6015 Georgetown Dr	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 565-2960	876	53	16.4	96.6%	27 (3.1%)	754 (86.1%)	37 (4.2%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	4 (0.5%)	50 (5.7%)	14.4	400^th of 458 public high schools	12.7%		12	400^th of 442 public high schools	9.5%		16.4	5.9	13.5	22.4									$9,324	$694	$8,630
Carver High School	Public	9-12	3100 8th St	Columbus	31906	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 748-2499	916	56	16.3	96.6%	16 (1.7%)	821 (89.6%)	42 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (3.7%)	12.3	409^th of 458 public high schools	10.7%		18	360^th of 442 public high schools	18.6%	49	14.7	21.5	11.7	11.9									$9,612	$814	$8,798

Frequently Asked Questions about Shaw High School

What schools feed into Shaw High School?

Shaw High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Eagle Ridge Academy
Elementary : Mathews Elementary School
Elementary : Midland Academy
Middle : Aaron Cohn Middle School
Middle : Blackmon Road Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Shaw High School?

Students at Shaw High School are 53% African American, 18% White, 17% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

What district is Shaw High School in?

Muscogee County

Is Shaw High School a good school?

Shaw High School ranks 316^th of 458 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Shaw High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,234 students attended Shaw High School.

Rate Shaw High 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.