Pelham Elementary School

Summary:

Pelham Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 620 students in grades PK-5 in Pelham, Georgia, which is part of the Pelham City School District. Despite serving a high-poverty student population, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, the school has consistently underperformed, ranking in the bottom quarter of Georgia elementary schools over the past decade.

Pelham Elementary significantly lags behind the state average on standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, only 10.1% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the state average of 38.4%, and 5th grade math proficiency was just 16.7%, compared to 41% statewide. While the school spends around $9,600 per student, slightly above the state average, its student-teacher ratio of 13.3-15.1 is higher than nearby comparison schools like Whigham Elementary and Funston Elementary, which generally outperform Pelham Elementary despite also serving high-poverty populations.

The persistent underperformance of Pelham Elementary, with no signs of meaningful improvement over the past decade, suggests the school faces unique challenges beyond just poverty that the other schools in the Grady County and Colquitt County districts have been better able to overcome. Addressing the root causes of this chronic low performance will be critical for improving outcomes for the students of Pelham Elementary.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

534 Barrow Ave SW
Pelham, GA 31779

(229) 294-8170

District: Pelham City

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

Students who attend Pelham Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Pelham City Middle School
High:	Pelham High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.3

Number of students: 620

Racial breakdown:

African American:

58.2%

White:

30.3%

Hispanic:

8.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Pelham Elementary School ranks worse than 77.6% of elementary schools in Georgia. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.63. (See more...)

Student Body

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Teachers

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Finance

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Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Pelham City:

SchoolDigger ranks Pelham City 163^rd of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Pelham Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	41.46	736^th	1101	33.2%
2007	23.53	949^th	1125	15.6%
2008	36.44	800^th	1134	29.5%
2009	44.83	720^th	1133	36.5%
2010	49.52	711^th	1183	39.9%
2011	35.68	893^rd	1212	26.3%
2012	28.43	971^st	1201	19.2%
2013	20.97	1036^th	1225	15.4%
2014	27.49	999^th	1231	18.8%
2015	21.53	990^th	1240	20.2%
2016	18.01	1025^th	1233	16.9%
2017	21.03	962^nd	1205	20.2%
2018	25.42	901^st	1209	25.5%
2019	31.42	841^st	1234	31.8%
2021	23.48	902^nd	1214	25.7%
2022	24.23	933^rd	1244	25.0%
2023	23.93	936^th	1242	24.6%
2024	22.63	968^th	1248	22.4%

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: 1)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Pelham 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	1120	1120
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	1171	1171
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1141	1141
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1131	1131
1994	439	648	0	19	2	n/a	n/a	0	1108
1995	326	499	1	24	2	n/a	n/a	0	852
1996	326	499	1	24	2	n/a	n/a	0	852
1997	349	496	0	30	2	n/a	n/a	0	877
1998	349	464	0	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	838
1999	339	459	1	23	1	n/a	n/a	0	823
2000	344	479	1	22	1	n/a	n/a	0	847
2001	354	460	2	23	0	n/a	n/a	0	839
2002	311	441	1	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	780
2003	311	441	1	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	780
2004	292	435	1	27	2	n/a	n/a	0	757
2005	288	429	9	32	0	n/a	n/a	2	760
2006	322	417	6	29	0	n/a	n/a	3	777
2007	320	422	3	37	0	n/a	n/a	3	785
2008	314	408	5	36	0	n/a	n/a	10	773
2009	306	395	7	39	0	n/a	n/a	13	760
2010	290	375	7	41	0	0	7	0	720
2011	269	391	8	39	0	0	4	0	711
2012	266	395	8	36	0	0	13	0	718
2013	262	386	6	49	0	0	21	0	724
2014	230	407	6	47	0	0	25	0	715
2015	237	437	5	51	0	0	26	0	756
2016	243	423	4	54	0	0	24	0	748
2017	236	437	6	47	0	0	26	0	752
2018	224	431	4	43	0	0	14	0	716
2019	184	445	4	49	1	0	19	0	702
2020	184	455	4	45	2	0	16	0	706
2021	175	414	5	47	3	0	12	0	656
2022	194	382	5	45	2	1	11	0	640
2023	188	361	4	51	3	1	12	0	620

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 Pelham Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1120	63.0	17.7	59.6
1991	1171	67.0	17.4	59.9
1992	1141	69.0	16.5	62.2
1993	1131	32.0	35.3	65.9
1994	1108	70.2	15.8	68.9
1995	852	58.0	14.7	70.7
1996	852	58.0	14.7	70.7
1997	877	51.8	16.9	75.6
1998	838	53.6	15.6	75.2
1999	823	53.3	15.4	80.2
2000	847	51.6	16.4	77
2001	839	47.7	17.6	78.8
2002	780	44.6	17.5	75.5
2003	780	44.6	17.5	75.5
2004	757	44.9	16.9	77
2005	760	52.0	14.6	75.6
2006	777	54.9	14.2	72.9
2007	785	56.1	14.0	72.3
2008	773	55.5	13.9	76.8
2009	760	54.3	14.0	82.1
2010	720	48.3	14.9	83.3
2011	711	44.0	16.1	83.3
2012	718	47.0	15.2	85.7
2013	724	46.0	15.7	86.3
2014	715	43.8	16.3	92
2015	756	46.0	16.4	93.4
2016	748	50.0	14.9	99.6
2017	752	49.0	15.3	99.5
2018	716	45.7	15.6	100
2019	702	44.0	15.9	100
2020	706	45.5	15.5	100
2021	656	43.4	15.1	100
2022	640	46.7	13.7	n/a
2023	620	46.3	13.3	100

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 Pelham Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1120	63.0	17.7	59.6
1991	1171	67.0	17.4	59.9
1992	1141	69.0	16.5	62.2
1993	1131	32.0	35.3	65.9
1994	1108	70.2	15.8	68.9
1995	852	58.0	14.7	70.7
1996	852	58.0	14.7	70.7
1997	877	51.8	16.9	75.6
1998	838	53.6	15.6	75.2
1999	823	53.3	15.4	80.2
2000	847	51.6	16.4	77
2001	839	47.7	17.6	78.8
2002	780	44.6	17.5	75.5
2003	780	44.6	17.5	75.5
2004	757	44.9	16.9	77
2005	760	52.0	14.6	75.6
2006	777	54.9	14.2	72.9
2007	785	56.1	14.0	72.3
2008	773	55.5	13.9	76.8
2009	760	54.3	14.0	82.1
2010	720	48.3	14.9	83.3
2011	711	44.0	16.1	83.3
2012	718	47.0	15.2	85.7
2013	724	46.0	15.7	86.3
2014	715	43.8	16.3	92
2015	756	46.0	16.4	93.4
2016	748	50.0	14.9	99.6
2017	752	49.0	15.3	99.5
2018	716	45.7	15.6	100
2019	702	44.0	15.9	100
2020	706	45.5	15.5	100
2021	656	43.4	15.1	100
2022	640	46.7	13.7	n/a
2023	620	46.3	13.3	100

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 Pelham Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$1,080 (11.5%)	$8,352 (88.5%)	$9,432
2018	$670 (7.0%)	$8,936 (93.0%)	$9,606
2019	$832 (8.6%)	$8,867 (91.4%)	$9,700

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Pelham 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 841^st of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 936^th of 1242 Elementary schools	7.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pelham Elementary School)	22.8	15.6	7.2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pelham City)	22.8	15.6	7.2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pelham Elementary School)	53.7	35.6	18.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pelham City)	53.7	35.6	18.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pelham Elementary School)	24.7	19.8	4.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pelham City)	24.7	19.8	4.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pelham Elementary School)	40.2	39.6	0.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pelham City)	40.2	39.6	0.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pelham Elementary School)	21.2	15.3	5.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pelham City)	21.2	15.3	5.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pelham Elementary School)	29.4	20	9.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pelham City)	29.4	20	9.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (Pelham Elementary School)	29.4	15.3	14.1%
5th Grade Science (Pelham City)	29.4	15.3	14.1%
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	702	620	11.7%
African American	445	361	18.9%
American Indian	1	3	200%
Asian	4	4
Hispanic	49	51	4.1%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	184	188	2.2%
Two or More Races	19	12	36.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Pelham 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)		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 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
Pelham Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	534 Barrow Ave SW	Pelham	31779	Mitchell County	Pelham City	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 294-8170	620	46	13.3	100.0%	188 (30.3%)	361 (58.2%)	51 (8.2%)	4 (0.6%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	12 (1.9%)	22.6	968^th of 1248 public elementary schools	22.4%		23.9	936^th of 1242 public elementary schools	24.6%	32	10.1	19.8	27.4				30.4	36.0	16.7				32.1			$9,700	$832	$8,867
Shiver Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	1847 Ga Highway 93 N	Pelham	31779	Mitchell County	Grady County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 377-2325	478	40	11.8	100.0%	335 (70.1%)	45 (9.4%)	79 (16.5%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.1%)	56.9	480^th of 1248 public elementary schools	61.5%		57	488^th of 1242 public elementary schools	60.7%	8	50.0	34.0	34.6	31.4	30.6	57.8	54.2	60.0	42.3	41.2	54.2	75.0	40.4	62.2	37.8	$9,800	$348	$9,453
Mitchell County Primary School	Public	PK, KG-2	50 Griffin Rd	Camilla	31730	Mitchell County	Mitchell County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 321-7003	366	28	13.0	100.0%	29 (7.9%)	296 (80.9%)	41 (11.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																$14,809	$2,308	$12,501
Hamilton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5110 Ga Highway 111	Hartsfield	31756	Colquitt County	Colquitt County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 941-5594	231	22	10.7	97.0%	187 (81.0%)	6 (2.6%)	21 (9.1%)	13 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.7%)	75.5	281^st of 1248 public elementary schools	77.5%		65.5	389^th of 1242 public elementary schools	68.7%	108	46.9	34.2	78.8				56.3	57.9	66.7				54.5			$11,478	$576	$10,902
Eastside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1201 20th St NE	Cairo	39828	Grady County	Grady County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 377-8441	620	44	13.9	100.0%	161 (26.0%)	258 (41.6%)	170 (27.4%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.0%)	31.5	820^th of 1248 public elementary schools	34.3%		25.9	898^th of 1242 public elementary schools	27.7%	78	27.7	20.0	22.7				38.6	58.8	27.8				18.6			$9,080	$1,172	$7,908
Northside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	985 1st St NW	Cairo	39828	Grady County	Grady County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 377-2422	344	32	10.9	100.0%	21 (6.1%)	87 (25.3%)	227 (66.0%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.7%)	37.7	728^th of 1248 public elementary schools	41.7%		38.8	708^th of 1242 public elementary schools	43.0%	20	28.1	29.2	38.1				51.6	47.7	23.8				15.9			$9,687	$1,359	$8,328
Southside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	322 4th Avenue SE	Cairo	39828	Grady County	Grady County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 377-3723	564	43	13.2	100.0%	133 (23.6%)	232 (41.1%)	180 (31.9%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (2.7%)	33.6	793^rd of 1248 public elementary schools	36.5%		35.3	764^th of 1242 public elementary schools	38.5%	29	13.7	29.2	36.0				34.2	55.6	22.7				29.3			$8,810	$1,134	$7,676
Funston Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	137 North Academy Street	Funston	31753	Colquitt County	Colquitt County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 941-2626	386	28	13.6	97.2%	111 (28.8%)	56 (14.5%)	204 (52.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.4%)	32.8	799^th of 1248 public elementary schools	36.0%		33.6	787^th of 1242 public elementary schools	36.6%	12	26.2	22.4	26.2				41.0	44.8	38.5				18.5			$10,042	$985	$9,056
Mitchell County Elementary School	Public	3-5	15815 Ga Highway 93	Baconton	31716	Mitchell County	Mitchell County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 321-7004	268	26	10.1	100.0%	16 (6.0%)	232 (86.6%)	19 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	26.7	901^st of 1248 public elementary schools	27.8%		18.4	1035^th of 1242 public elementary schools	16.7%	134	19.3	17.6	38.8				34.9	25.3	28.4				32.8			$12,873	$2,092	$10,782
Whigham Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	211 W Broad Ave	Whigham	39897	Grady County	Grady County	No	No	No	Yes	(229) 307-1714	439	36	12.3	100.0%	350 (79.7%)	41 (9.3%)	29 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.6%)	62.3	430^th of 1248 public elementary schools	65.5%		67.2	370^th of 1242 public elementary schools	70.2%	60	44.7	29.8	44.4	44.9	51.1	45.5	66.0	59.6	30.6	57.1	72.3	50.0	33.3	36.4	50.0	$9,457	$610	$8,847

Frequently Asked Questions about Pelham Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Pelham Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Pelham City Middle School
High : Pelham High School

What is the racial makeup of Pelham Elementary School?

Students at Pelham Elementary School are 58% African American, 30% White, 8% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

How many students attend Pelham Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 620 students attended Pelham Elementary School.

What district is Pelham Elementary School in?

Pelham City

Is Pelham Elementary School a good school?

Pelham Elementary School ranks in the bottom 22.4% of Georgia elementary schools.

Rate Pelham 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.