Thomas E. Watson House · Photo: Michelle Zupan · CC BY-SA 4.0Thomson’s public schools score below 78% of Georgia districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Thomson’s districts is 19%, below the Georgia average (37%). The grade covers the public school district serving Thomson, 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.
Thomson’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% in math, against 40% and 37% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,256 per student, against $15,800 across Georgia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Thomson Elementary School, then Thomson-McDuffie Middle School, then Thomson High School. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Thomson’s grade
C−: better than 22% of Georgia school districts, #209 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 Thomson, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Thomson
Maxwell Elementary School
Grades PK–1 · 436 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Thomson
Maxwell Elementary School
Grades PK–1 · 436 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Thomson
Maxwell Elementary School
Grades PK–1 · 436 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Thomson
Thomson Elementary School
Grades 2–3 · 322 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Thomson
Thomson Elementary School
Grades 2–3 · 322 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Thomson
Norris Elementary School
Grades 4–5 · 287 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Thomson
Norris Elementary School
Grades 4–5 · 287 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Thomson
Thomson-McDuffie Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 667 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Thomson
Thomson-McDuffie Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 667 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Thomson
Thomson-McDuffie Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 667 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Thomson
Thomson High School
Grades 9–12 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Thomson
Thomson High School
Grades 9–12 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Thomson
Thomson High School
Grades 9–12 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Thomson
Thomson High School
Grades 9–12 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Thomson’s public schools are run by McDuffie County School District, which also serves Dearing. 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
Thomson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Georgia towns that share Thomson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Thomson | C− | McDuffie County |
Every school in Thomson
5 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 Thomson’s schools
Are Thomson’s schools good?
On Georgia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Thomson children attend score below 78% of Georgia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #209 of 260 Georgia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 24%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Thomson in?
McDuffie County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,088 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Thomson kids go to high school?
Thomson High School, with 962 students; its own test results earn a D.
What is Thomson’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in McDuffie County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia.
How much does Thomson spend per student?
$16,256 in McDuffie County School District (FY2024), against $15,800 across Georgia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Thomson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Thomson → 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.