Photo: ATLJonJon · CC BY 4.0Gainesville’s public schools score below 72% of Georgia districts on tests and graduation
On the state reading tests, 24% of Gainesville’s students scored proficient, below the Georgia average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gainesville, 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 98% 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.
Gainesville’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 250 Georgia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gainesville’s, its schools beat 21%, lower than their 28% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 40% and 37% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,042 per student, against $15,800 across Georgia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lakeview Academy (private), Riverside Preparatory Academy (private), Gainsville Preparatory School (private), Academy Innovation (private) and Elachee Nature Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Gainesville’s grade
C: better than 28% of Georgia school districts, #186 of 260 Georgia towns. Graduation is above the Georgia average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gainesville, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Gainesville · depends on your address
Gainesville Middle School West
Grades 6–8 · 931 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Gainesville-
Gainesville Middle School East
Grades 6–8 · 896 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Gainesville · depends on your address
Gainesville Middle School West
Grades 6–8 · 931 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Gainesville-
Gainesville Middle School East
Grades 6–8 · 896 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Gainesville · depends on your address
Gainesville Middle School West
Grades 6–8 · 931 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Gainesville-
Gainesville Middle School East
Grades 6–8 · 896 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Gainesville · depends on your address
Gainesville High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Horizon Academy School
Grades 9–12 · 464 students · 28:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gainesville · depends on your address
Gainesville High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Horizon Academy School
Grades 9–12 · 464 students · 28:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Gainesville · depends on your address
Gainesville High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Horizon Academy School
Grades 9–12 · 464 students · 28:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Gainesville · depends on your address
Gainesville High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Horizon Academy School
Grades 9–12 · 464 students · 28:1 students per teacher
Gainesville’s public schools are run by Gainesville City School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Gainesville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Georgia towns that share Gainesville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | C | Gainesville City |
| Oakwood | B− | Hall County |
Every school in Gainesville
18 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center).
Questions about Gainesville’s schools
Are Gainesville’s schools good?
On Georgia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gainesville children attend score below 72% of Georgia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #186 of 260 Georgia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gainesville in?
Gainesville City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,480 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Gainesville kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Gainesville High School and Horizon Academy School.
What is Gainesville’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Gainesville City School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia.
How much does Gainesville spend per student?
$15,042 in Gainesville City School District (FY2024), against $15,800 across Georgia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Gainesville?
Yes: Lakeview Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 519 students), Riverside Preparatory Academy (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 6–12, 169 students), Gainsville Preparatory School (religious, grades K–12, 63 students), Academy Innovation (special education, grades 1–9, 31 students) and Elachee Nature Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–2, 31 students).
Parents talk
What Gainesville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gainesville → 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.