Scottdale’s public schools score below 83% of Georgia districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 24% of Scottdale’s students scored proficient, below the Georgia average (37%). The grade covers the public school district serving Scottdale, 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 97% 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.
Scottdale’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 197 Georgia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Scottdale’s, its schools beat 5%, lower than their 17% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 40% and 37% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,739 per student, against $15,800 across Georgia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then 23 middle and 24 high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Montessori School at Emory (private) is 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 Scottdale’s grade
C−: better than 17% of Georgia school districts, #218 of 260 Georgia towns. Both inputs trail the Georgia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Scottdale, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Scottdale · depends on your address
McLendon Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 342 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Robert Shaw Theme School
Grades PK–5 · 307 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Scottdale · depends on your address
McLendon Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 342 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Robert Shaw Theme School
Grades PK–5 · 307 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Scottdale · depends on your address
McLendon Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 342 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Robert Shaw Theme School
Grades PK–5 · 307 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Scottdale · depends on your address
McLendon Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 342 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Robert Shaw Theme School
Grades PK–5 · 307 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Scottdale · depends on your address
McLendon Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 342 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Robert Shaw Theme School
Grades PK–5 · 307 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Scottdale · depends on your address
McLendon Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 342 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Robert Shaw Theme School
Grades PK–5 · 307 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Scottdale · depends on your address
McLendon Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 342 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Robert Shaw Theme School
Grades PK–5 · 307 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Scottdale’s public schools are run by DeKalb County School District, which also serves Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee and Clarkston and others. 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
Scottdale vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Georgia towns that share Scottdale’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Scottdale | C− | DeKalb County |
| Clarkston | C− | DeKalb County |
| Decatur | A+ | Decatur City |
| Avondale Estates | C− | DeKalb County |
2 of the 3 neighbors share DeKalb County with Scottdale, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Scottdale
48 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 Scottdale’s schools
Are Scottdale’s schools good?
On Georgia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Scottdale children attend score below 83% of Georgia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #218 of 260 Georgia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Scottdale in?
DeKalb County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 91,752 students in 129 schools (2024–25).
Where do Scottdale kids go to high school?
One of 24 high schools, depending on your address: Lakeside High School, Dunwoody High School, Chamblee High School, Cross Keys High School, Tucker High School, Lithonia High School, Druid Hills High School, Clarkston High School, Martin Luther King- Jr. High School, Stephenson High School, Stone Mountain High School, Southwest DeKalb High School, Arabia Mountain High School - Academy of Engineering- Medic, Cedar Grove High School, Miller Grove High School, Redan High School, Columbia High School, Towers High School, McNair High School, Dekalb Early College Academy, DeKalb School of the Arts, Elizabeth Andrews High School, Margaret Harris Comprehensive School and UHS of Laurel Heights.
What is Scottdale’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in DeKalb County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia.
How much does Scottdale spend per student?
$17,739 in DeKalb County School District (FY2024), against $15,800 across Georgia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Scottdale?
Yes: Montessori School at Emory (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 157 students).
Parents talk
What Scottdale families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Scottdale → 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.