Photo: Thomson M · CC BY 3.0Alto’s public schools outscore 75% of Georgia districts
98% of Alto’s students graduate on time, above the Georgia average (84%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Alto, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Georgia, not nationally.
From Georgia state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Alto’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 217 Georgia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Alto’s, its schools beat 63%, lower than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 40% and math 43% across both districts in spring 2022, against 40% and 37% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Banks County spends $14,846 per student and Habersham County $15,768, against $15,800 across Georgia (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Alto’s grade
A−: better than 75% of Georgia school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Georgia average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alto, with each school’s own grade.
10th grade in Alto · depends on your address
Habersham Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,611 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Mt Airy
Banks County High School
Grades 9–12 · 831 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Homer
Habersham Success Academy
Grades 6–12 · 75 students · 29:1 students per teacher · in Mount Airy
11th grade in Alto · depends on your address
Habersham Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,611 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Mt Airy
Banks County High School
Grades 9–12 · 831 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Homer
Habersham Success Academy
Grades 6–12 · 75 students · 29:1 students per teacher · in Mount Airy
12th grade in Alto · depends on your address
Habersham Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,611 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Mt Airy
Banks County High School
Grades 9–12 · 831 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Homer
Habersham Success Academy
Grades 6–12 · 75 students · 29:1 students per teacher · in Mount Airy
Alto runs its own schools through grade 12 (Banks County School District). From grade PK, students attend the Habersham County School District, shared with Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Mount Airy and Tallulah Falls. Its elementary school is in Homer. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Alto
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Alto vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Georgia towns that share Alto’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Alto | A− | Banks County PK–12 · Habersham County PK–12 |
Every school in Alto
16 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Georgia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Alto’s schools
Are Alto’s schools good?
By Georgia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Alto children attend outscore 75% of Georgia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Alto in?
Two districts: Banks County School District runs grades PK–12, and Habersham County School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Mount Airy and Tallulah Falls.
Where do Alto kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Habersham Central High School, Banks County High School and Habersham Success Academy.
What is Alto’s graduation rate?
98% of the class of 2023 in Habersham County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia.
How much does Alto spend per student?
$14,846 in Banks County School District and $15,768 in Habersham County School District (FY2024), against $15,800 across Georgia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Alto families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alto → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Georgia. Stars are from neighbors.