For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 14,569 students in Athens, GA (there are , serving 1,230 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Athens, GA are educated in public schools (compared to the GA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Athens, GA are Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School and Classic City High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Athens, GA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Georgia public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Athens have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Georgia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public school average of 65% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Athens, GA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
757 N Chase St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-1081
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-1081
Grades: PK-5
| 486 students
Rank: #22.
Timothy Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1900 Timothy Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0107
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0107
Grades: PK-5
| 595 students
Rank: #33.
Classic City High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
440 Dearing Ext
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 353-2323
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 353-2323
Grades: 9-12
| 62 students
Rank: #44.
Barrow Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Pinecrest Dr
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 543-2676
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 543-2676
Grades: PK-5
| 458 students
Rank: #55.
South Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1630 New Kings Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Grades: PK-5
| 701 students
Rank: #66.
Clarke Central High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
350 S Milledge Ave
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5200
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,842 students
Rank: #77.
Clarke Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1235 Baxter St
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 543-6547
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 543-6547
Grades: 6-8
| 652 students
Rank: #88.
Foothills Regional High School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2415 Jefferson Rd Ste B
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 795-2191
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 795-2191
Grades: 9-12
| 2,157 students
Rank: #99.
Barnett Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3220 Barnett Shoals Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5334
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5334
Grades: PK-5
| 488 students
Rank: #1010.
Whitehead Road Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
555 Quailwood Dr
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7296
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7296
Grades: PK-5
| 667 students
Rank: #1111.
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2300 Danielsville Rd
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5203
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5203
Grades: PK-5
| 395 students
Rank: #1212.
Burney-harris-lyons Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Tallassee Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7208
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7208
Grades: 6-8
| 718 students
Rank: #1313.
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1150 Oglethorpe Ave
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0762
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0762
Grades: PK-5
| 569 students
Rank: #1414.
Cedar Shoals High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Cedar Shoals Dr
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 546-5375
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 546-5375
Grades: 9-12
| 1,537 students
Rank: #1515.
Fowler Drive Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 Fowler Dr
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5330
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5330
Grades: PK-5
| 392 students
Rank: #1616.
Hilsman Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
870 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 548-7281
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 548-7281
Grades: 6-8
| 606 students
Rank: #1717.
Whit Davis Road Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1450 Whit Davis Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 369-1036
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 369-1036
Grades: PK-5
| 402 students
Rank: #1818.
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
715 Fourth St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 369-1893
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 369-1893
Grades: PK-5
| 378 students
Rank: #1919.
Gaines Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
900 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5333
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5333
Grades: PK-5
| 545 students
Rank: #2020.
Coile Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
110 Old Elberton Rd
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5318
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5318
Grades: 6-8
| 595 students
Rank: #2121.
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
205 Alps Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-2261
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-2261
Grades: PK-5
| 324 students
Athens, Georgia Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Alternative Placement Program (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
440 Dearing Extension
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 546-7721
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 546-7721
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Athens Regional Youth Detention Center (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
55 Beaverdam Road Extension
Athens, GA 30608
(706) 369-5605
Athens, GA 30608
(706) 369-5605
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Clarke County Evening School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
440 Dearing Extension
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5292
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5292
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
440-2 Dearing Ext
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5239
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5239
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1630 New Kings Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Grades: 6-8
| 358 students
Rutland Psychoeducational Program (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
Oglethorpe Ave
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 649-3030
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 649-3030
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Athens, GA?
The top ranked public schools in Athens, GA include Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School and Classic City High School.
How many public schools are located in Athens?
21 public schools are located in Athens.
What percentage of students in Athens go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Athens are educated in public schools (compared to the GA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Athens?
Athens public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public schools average of 65% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Athens are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Athens include: Cedar Shoals High School vs. Clarke Central High School, Classic City High School vs. Clarke Central High School, Clarke Central High School vs. Cedar Shoals High School
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