Summary:
The 31721 zip code area is home to two schools - Live Oak Elementary School and Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet. While both schools are part of the Dougherty County district, which is ranked 165th out of 203 in Georgia, their academic performance varies significantly.
Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet stands out as the top-performing school in the area, consistently ranking among the best middle schools in the state with a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. In the 2023-2024 school year, it ranked 14th out of 588 Georgia middle schools, with test scores that are 30-50 percentage points higher than the state averages in core subjects. In contrast, Live Oak Elementary School struggles academically, with test scores that are significantly below state and district averages.
The stark contrast in academic performance between the two schools can likely be attributed to Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet's status as a public magnet school, which often attracts more engaged students and families, as well as additional resources and funding. Both schools face socioeconomic challenges, with 100% of their students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. However, the per-student spending at the two schools is relatively similar, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership, teacher quality, and instructional practices, may be more influential in driving student outcomes.
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