Best schools in Georgia by county

Georgia is home to some of the best colleges and universities in the country, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory University and Spelman College. While these four schools are some of the most well-known in Georgia, there are many more that are also highly regarded by students and parents alike. The state is also home to some of the best public schools in the country. The top public high schools in Georgia include Lassiter High School (Marietta), Marist School (Atlanta), Walton High School (Marietta), Lambert High School (Albany) and Chattahoochee High School (Conyers). While these are all excellent options for students in Georgia, there are additional public schools that may be right for you depending on where you live. For example, if you want your child to attend a private or charter school but can’t afford one of those listed here then try looking into one nearby before making any final decisions about where to send them next year!

You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on Best schools in Georgia by county. Read on to learn more. We at collegelearners have all the information that you need about Best schools in Georgia by county.

Best schools in Georgia by county

Like other states in the Southeast, Georgia’s public schools lag slightly behind compared to those in other regions of the country. However, public education in the state is steadily improving, with the state graduation rate regularly hitting all-time peaks, year after year. While this is good news for Georgia, the performance of the state’s best districts far puts them in an elite class of their own.

Buford City Schools is the best school district in Georgia. Comprising four schools in Gwinnett County, BCS has long been considered one of the highest performing districts in the state, both in academics and extracurriculars. Four Buford schools hold an “A” grade from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. 

Ranking 2nd is the City Schools of Decatur, a public charter school district of 10 schools in Dekalb County with a total enrollment of around 5,600 students. On standardized tests, students of the district outperform state and national averages in all grade levels, while Decatur High School was named a Georgia AP Challenge and AP Merit school. 

Georgia’s 3rd best school district is Jefferson City Schools, a small district of four schools based in Jackson County. JCS schools perform at a high level and have earned numerous awards and recognitions, including a 2018 Highest-Performing Title-I Reward School honor for Jefferson Academy. 

Harris County School District earns 4th place among Georgia public school districts. The accredited district consists of seven schools and a performance learning center based in Hamilton. HCSD’s graduation rate of 93% is over 10 points higher than the statewide rate. 

Closing out the list of Georgia’s five best school districts is Bremen City Schools, comprising three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in Haralson County. All of the district’s schools earned either an “A” or “B” grade from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. 

Top School Districts in Georgia, 2020

Rank	School District	City
1	Buford City	Buford
2	City Schools Of Decatur	Decatur
3	Jefferson City	Jefferson
4	Harris County	Hamilton
5	Bremen City	Bremen
6	Lee County	Leesburg
7	Habersham County	Clarkesville
8	Dawson County	Dawsonville
9	Calhoun City	Calhoun
10	Gordon County	Calhoun
11	White County	Cleveland
12	Union County	Blairsville
13	Pierce County	Blackshear
14	Cartersville City	Cartersville
15	Laurens County	Dublin
16	Madison County	Danielsville
17	Murray County	Chatsworth
18	Ware County	Waycross
19	Heard County	Franklin
20	Rome City	Rome
21	Carrollton City	Carrollton
22	Monroe County	Forsyth
23	Pickens County	Jasper
24	Gilmer County	Ellijay
25	Chickamauga City	Chickamauga
26	Fannin County	Blue Ridge
27	Hart County	Hartwell
28	Rabun County	Clayton
29	Morgan County	Madison
30	Lumpkin County	Dahlonega
31	Trion City	Trion
32	Bleckley County	Cochran
33	Wayne County	Jesup
34	Jones County	Gray
35	Decatur County	Bainbridge
36	Thomas County	Thomasville
37	Social Circle City	Social Circle
38	Banks County	Homer
39	Burke County	Waynesboro
40	Stephens County	Toccoa
41	Thomaston-Upson County	Thomaston
42	Haralson County	Buchanan
43	Franklin County	Carnesville
44	Dodge County	Eastman
45	Seminole County	Donalsonville
46	Berrien County	Nashville
47	Baldwin County	Milledgeville
48	Brantley County	Nahunta
49	Jeff Davis County	Hazlehurst
50	Putnam County	Eatonton

Methodology

The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts.

Best K-12 School Districts for Teachers in Georgia

You may know the State of Georgia is home to legendary schools such as Emory University and Georgia Tech, not to mention delicious peanuts and pecans, but the Peach State is home to some great public schools as well. At Study.com, we have produced for you a special list of the ”Top 50 K-12 School Districts for Teachers in Georgia”, taking into account ten crucial factors such as the percentage of full-time teachers and annual student graduation rates. Please read further to discover this distinguished list of top-ranked Georgia school districts.

1) Buford City

At our top spot and located about 38 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, Buford City schools are proud their hardworking teachers earn a splendid $68,812.84 per year salary on average and $106,560.13 per year combined salary and benefits, which are both number one on our survey. An impressive 95.5 percent of these educators are full-time, and they average 15.88 years of teaching experience. A stellar 77.6 percent of the talented teachers have graduate degrees, which is third-best on our list.

2) Fayette County

Situated about 27 miles southwest of Atlanta, Fayette County’s student absenteeism rate of 0.04 percent is one of the lowest in our rankings, and their average SAT score of 1111 is near the top of our list. Teachers earn $64,471.05 per annum, which is the second-highest on our Top 50 list, and a robust 97.7 percent of the loyal instructors are considered full-time employees. The yearly average teacher salary plus benefits offering of $88.765.33 is generous as well.

3) Towns County

Standing about 105 miles northeast of Atlanta and almost at the Tennessee border, scenic Towns County is home to a section of the famed Appalachian Trail. Many educators love the low 12:1 student-teacher ratio, which is beneath the average 15:1 student-teacher ratio for the entire state. These factors may be why an astounding 100 percent of the loyal teachers in this district are considered full-time instructors, and the average $94,557.75 salary with benefits is one of the highest enticements on our survey.

4) Webster County

Located roughly 150 miles due south of Atlanta and 44 miles southeast of Columbus, Webster County offers a low 11:1 student-teacher ratio for optimal learning conditions. The school district boasts a 41.4 percent teacher diversity rate and educators average 17.41 years of teaching experience, which are both near the top of our survey. Impressively, a full 79.3 percent of the teachers in this district have graduate degrees, which is number one on our entire Top 50 list.

5) Bremen City

Situated about 47 miles west of Atlanta and fairly close to the Alabama border, Bremen City students’ average test scores are in the top five percent for public schools in the State of Georgia, and a lofty 97.8 percent of teachers are full-time employees. The appealingly low ”cost of living index” of 81.9 is well below the 100 average for the entire United States. The educators in this district earn an average of $90,449.61 per year with benefits and average 17.06 years of experience.

6) Decatur City

Sitting just about six miles northeast of the downtown Atlanta metro region and home to five colleges and universities, Decatur City has an impressive public school district as well. This district’s students claim the second-highest SAT performance on our list, with average scores of 1139. A laudable 78.4 percent of the teachers have graduate degrees, which is second in our rankings, and 97.7 percent call themselves full-time employees. Instructors earn an average of $58,545.68 per annum and $88.176.80 per annum if benefits are included.

7) Dawson County

Located about 58 miles northeast of Atlanta, Dawson County is home to scenic Amicalola Falls, which is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. The district spends a yearly average of $11,248.29 per student and an impressive 95.75 percent of them graduate yearly. The accomplished instructors in this district average over 16 years of experience. Teachers earn an average compensation of $61,678.04 yearly, which translates to $87.970.04 if benefits are included in the salary package, and 97.2 percent are full-time employees.

8) Burke County

Situated about 30 miles due south of Augusta and the majestic Masters golf tournament, Burke County sits in the fertile Central Savannah River Area of the state near the South Carolina border. The school district can boast of a 40.1 percent minority teacher hiring rate, and an amazing 99.3 percent of its educators are full-time employees. As a compensatory offering, teachers are paid an average of $59,861.02 per year and $96,238.11 if benefits are included in the deal.

9) Cartersville City

Standing about 43 miles northwest of Atlanta and about 26 miles southeast of Rome, the Cartersville Public School District spends a modest $9,001.07 per student each year, but 90.35 percent of them still graduate and chronic absenteeism is at a low 0.15 percent. An impressive 97.7 percent of the teachers are full-time with an average 16.62 years of educating experience, and almost three-quarters of the educators possess graduate credentials. The hard-working instructors are paid an average of $64,013.47 yearly, which translates to $88,148.83 with benefits.

10) Oconee County

Situated about 67 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and about 11 miles southwest of the college town of Athens, the Oconee County School District is home to the picturesque Oconee National Forest. The local high school appears in the top ten percent for overall state testing scores, and over three-quarters of the teachers in this district have graduate degrees. A robust 98.6 percent of the talented teachers are full-time, and they average over 14 years of teaching experience.

11) Fannin County

Located roughly 100 miles northeast of Atlanta proximate to the Tennessee border, Fannin County is located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and includes the lovely Chattahoochee National Forest. This public school district appears in the top fifth of all Georgia schools, chronic absenteeism is only 0.54 percent, and a stellar 72.2 percent of teachers have graduate degrees. Teacher salary including benefits averages an ample $90,131 yearly, and 96.6 percent are classified as full-time educators.

12) Trion City

Situated about 90 miles northwest of Atlanta near both the Alabama and Tennessee state lines, Trion County is known as the ”Denim Capital of the World”. It features a megastar school district, as overall test scores are in the top five percent in the State of Georgia. Teachers average 17.82 years of experience, which is third-highest on our list. A full 71 percent of teachers in this district have graduate degrees, and 91.9 percent are considered full-time employees.

13) Union County

The Union County Public School District sits about 116 miles northeast of Atlanta just south of the Tennessee border, and is home to Brasstown Bald, the highest mountain peak in Georgia. The district graduates an astonishing 99.53 percent of its students each school year, and chronic absenteeism is a mere 0.60 percent. Teachers earn an average of $85,621.32 with benefits or $57,755.83 without benefits while averaging over fifteen years of experience, and 96.7 percent remain as full-time staff members.

14) Walton County

A superlative 99.9 percent of the Walton County School District teachers choose to remain as full-time educators and 76.5 percent have graduate degrees, which are second and third in our rankings, respectively. The Walton County School District stands about 47 miles east of Atlanta and about 28 miles southwest of the college town of Athens, and the town’s namesake signed the Declaration of Independence. Teachers are compensated on average $64,148.42 or $90,769.49 with benefits for their honorable services.

15) Forsyth County

The Forsyth County School District resides roughly 41 miles northeast of Atlanta and borders lovely Lake Lanier. Forsyth is a preeminent county in which students’ average test scoring is in the top one percent of the entire state. The generous compensation package of $97,031.06 salary with accompanying benefits is second in our rankings. Additionally, its educators average over 14 years of teaching experience, and 98.9 percent of the contented teachers remain full-time with the school district.

16) Talbot County

The Talbot County School District is situated approximately 90 miles southwest of Atlanta, Georgia and approximately 36 miles northeast of Columbus, Georgia. Talbot schools spend a hearty $14,275.67 per student yearly, which clocks in at number three in our survey, and in return 97.6 percent of the teachers remain as full-time employees. Seated amongst the scenic Pine Mountain Range, the district offers a low 11:1 student-teacher ratio and boasts a 61.9 percent minority teacher hiring rate.

17) Chickamauga City

The Chickamauga schools reside about 110 miles northwest of the downtown Atlanta metro area and near the Alabama and Tennessee borders, with several tourist attractions in the region. Despite spending a modest $8,331.49 per student yearly, the district manages to graduate a most-impressive 98.11 percent of its attendees. Furthermore, teachers average 18.01 years of experience, which is the number one spot in our rankings. 64.6 percent of teachers in this district have graduate degrees, and they earn an $77,091.80 average yearly salary with benefits.

18) Glynn County

The Glynn County Public School District stands about 74 miles southwest of Savannah not far from both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Florida state line, and the local high school is the second oldest educational facility in the entire State of Georgia. The full-time teacher percentage is a stout 96.5 percent, with a 16.6 percent minority hire rate and an average of 17.27 years of experience. In addition, chronic student absenteeism is only a low 0.09 percent.

19) Whitfield County

Nestled about 90 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta adjacent to the Tennessee and Alabama state lines, Whitfield County offers a 98.5 percent minority teacher hiring rate, which is the top in our Top 50 survey, and 97.3 percent are considered full-time teachers. Furthermore, 68.6 percent of the teachers have advanced degrees, and chronic student absenteeism is a low 0.08 percent. The teachers earn an average of $56,798.35 in salary, or $85,187.41 in salary with benefits, per school annum.

20) Floyd County

Located about 77 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta and just about five miles northwest of downtown Rome, an impressive 99.1 percent of the Floyd County teachers are full-time staff members. Home to lots of beautiful biking and hiking trails, teachers average over 15 years of experience and over 68 percent have graduate degrees. The average salary plus benefits compensatory package is generous at $91.399.80 yearly, and student chronic absenteeism is a low 0.09 percent yearly.

21) Lumpkin County

Standing about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta and about 66 miles northwest of Athens, this former gold rush region is now a popular wine tasting region. An impressive 98.8 percent of the teachers in this district are full-time, which is near the top of our list. Also, 68.8 percent of teachers have graduate degrees and average 14.19 years of teaching experience. Teacher salary plus benefits combined averages a healthy $88,733.61, and student graduation rate is high at 95.54 percent.

22) Harris County

Seated about 91 miles southwest of Atlanta and just about 19 miles northeast of Columbus, it’s no surprise 98.8 percent of teachers choose to remain full-time in this lush, hilly resort region. Bordering Alabama, the district’s testing scores are in the top fifth of the entire state, and 93.29 percent of the students graduate yearly. Teachers earn $58,895.12 annually, they average an impressive 15.78 years of experience, and 68.1 percent of them possess graduate credentials.

23) Jefferson City

Located about 61 miles northeast of Atlanta and about 20 miles northwest of Athens, Jefferson City spends the least on our entire survey at a modest $7,646.47 per student yearly, but still graduates 95.88 percent of the learning scholars. Amazingly, this superstar district also ranks in the top five percent in all of Georgia in average testing scores! A lofty 74.4 percent of teachers have graduate degrees, they average 15.34 years of experience, and 97.5 percent are full-time instructors.

24) Atlanta Public Schools

Situated right in the downtown Atlanta metro region, the huge Atlanta Public School System features over 50,000 students, but astoundingly the chronic absenteeism rate is a mere 0.03 percent. The district is proud that 78.3 percent of its teachers are classified as minority status, and furthermore 97.8 percent of them remain as full-time employees. The salary plus benefits averages a healthy $96,518.72 per annum, and the low 13:1 student-teacher ratio is appealing.

25) Cobb County

Located just roughly 19 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, Cobb County is considered the most-educated in the entire state, and the 0.01 percent chronic student absenteeism rate ties for first on our survey. The county boasts of a 27.1 percent minority teacher hire rate, and their average test scores land in the top ten percent in all of Georgia. Teacher salary with benefits averages a strong $94,299.13, educators average 13.43 years of experience, and 96.9 percent of them are full-time instructors.

26) Putnam County

Situated about 78 miles southeast of the greater Atlanta downtown region and about 40 miles northeast of Macon, Putnam County features the oft-visited Lake Oconee recreation site. Full-time teacher status is high at 98.0 percent and the county is proud of a 25.2 percent minority hiring rate. Putnam County offers its educators an average of $56,193.09 salary or $88,747.57 combining salary with benefits. The educators in this district average 13.53 years of teaching experience, and 68.3 percent of them possess graduate degrees.

27) Madison County

Standing roughly 17 miles northeast of Athens and featuring plenty of hiking trails, Madison County schools rank in the top 20th percent in the State of Georgia in average testing scores. Teachers offer 15.09 years average experience, a high 72.1 percent of them have graduate degrees, and they are compensated at $57,376.25 salary or $84,465.83 per year salary plus benefits. The student graduation rate is an impressive 94.64 percent and 1065 represents the average student SAT scores.

28) Houston County

Located roughly 35 miles due south of Macon and home to Robins Air Force Base, Houston County claims 99.9 percent of its teachers as full-time, which ties for second on our Top 50 survey. The county boasts a 22.6 percent minority teacher hiring rate and a full 70.5 percent of the educators can claim graduate credentials. If that’s not enough, teachers average 14.21 years of experience while a low 0.03 percent of students display chronic absenteeism.

29) Columbia County

Sitting only about 16 miles northwest of Augusta, scenic Columbia County is home to numerous creeks and geological formations. Despite spending a modest $8,130.09 per student yearly, the school district’s chronic absentee rate of 0.03 percent is one of the lowest on our list. What’s more, the superstar district tests in the top five percent of the state. Teachers average 14.00 years of experience, 71.9 percent have graduate degrees, and 96.4 percent are full-time employees.

30) Rabun County

Situated about 110 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta in the mountains, rainy but picturesque Rabun County claims both North Carolina and South Carolina as borders. The student allocation of $12,156.56 per year is near the top of our survey, and students respond by performing in the top fifth in all of Georgia. The teacher salary with benefits combined averages $86,168.84, a full 98.8 percent of teachers remain as full-time educators, and they average 14.76 years teaching experience.

31) Pickens County

Standing about one hour due north of Atlanta in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Pickens County School District features teachers with an average of 15.04 years of experience, 96.9 percent of whom are full-time, and of which 66.9 percent have graduate degrees. The teacher salary is $58,117.10, or $84,804.39 including salary with benefits. The average student SAT score is 1054, only 0.33 percent of them are chronically absent, and they graduate at a solid 92.98 percent pace.

32) Terrell County

Located about 66 miles southeast of Columbus and the home of legendary Otis Redding, the Terrell County Public School District is extremely proud of its 77.4 percent minority teacher hiring rate, which is third-highest on our Top 50 survey. Over 73 percent of the educators have advanced degrees while averaging 16.4 years of experience, and over 92 percent are full-time employees. An average salary plus benefits package of $80,017.80 per year is appealing as well.

33) Calhoun City

Teachers in the Calhoun City Public School District earn an average of $58,171.65 salary per year or $81,659.49 salary with benefits. Situated about 22 miles northeast of Rome, the modest per pupil outlay of $7,919.16 is second-lowest on our Top 50 survey, but impressively the 98.06 graduation rate is fifth-highest on our survey. A commendable 74.2 percent of the teaching staff have graduate degrees while offering over 15 years average experience, and over 95 percent remain as full-time employees.

34) White County

Located about 89 miles northeast of Atlanta in the panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, the White County School District average testing scores place in the top ten in the entire State of Georgia, and 91.39 percent of students graduate. Teachers earn $57,126.23 salary or $89.661.70 salary plus benefits in return for their hard work, and almost seventy percent of the educators possess graduate degrees. They average 14.55 years of experience and 98.4 percent are full-time instructors.

35) Franklin County

Sitting about 35 miles northeast of Athens and bordering lovely Lake Hartwell with plenty of recreational diversions, the Franklin County Public School District features a 97.6 percentage of full-time teachers with 15.89 years average experience, and 64.1 percent of them have completed their advanced degrees. The generous salary plus benefits of $91,859.66 is seventh-highest in our Top 50 survey. Over ninety percent of the students graduate each year, and chronic absenteeism is only 0.38 percent.

36) Stewart County

Situated roughly 33 miles southeast of Columbus and bordering Alabama, the Stewart County School District allots $14,655.74 per student each year, which is third-highest in our Top 50 rankings, and the graduation rate is a stellar 96.8 percent. The county boasts a 68.3 percent minority teacher hiring rate, which is fourth-highest in our rankings, and over 92 percent of the teachers are full-time employees. They average 13.05 years of experience and 68.3 percent of them have graduate degrees.

37) Camden County

Located near the Atlantic Ocean about 108 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia and 51 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, an impressive 98.4 percent of Camden County teachers are full-time employees. They average over 15 years of experience and over 71 percent of them have graduate degrees. The megastar seaside district places student testing scores in the top five percent of all Georgia schools, chronic absenteeism is only 0.13 percent, and 95.5 percent of them graduate.

38) Gilmer County

Situated approximately 78 miles due north of Atlanta and home to an apple festival, Gilmer County Public Schools employ 98.9 percent of its teachers as full-time instructors, who average over 14 years of experience. Almost 70 percent of teachers in this district have advanced degrees, and they earn a generous $87,774.59 salary with benefits on average. The student graduation rate is a solid 92.36 percent and student test scoring is in the top thirtieth percentile in the entire state.

39) Cherokee County

Standing about 42 miles north of Atlanta and home to nine mountains, the superstar Cherokee District’s teachers average 13.83 years of experience, with average test scores in the top five percent of Georgia. An impressive 99.6 percent of its teachers are full-time, which nears the top of our list, and only 0.02 percent of its students are chronically absent, which also nears the top of our list. Over 63 percent of the loyal teachers in this district have graduate degrees.

40) Coweta County

Sitting roughly 37 miles southwest of the downtown Atlanta metro region, Coweta County Public Schools rank in the top 20th percentile in Georgia, and students maintain a low 0.06 chronic absenteeism rate. The school district has a 13.7 percent minority hiring rate, and 99.8 percent of all teachers are full-time employees. The average teaching salary is $59,369.31 or $88,382.75 including benefits, over 14 percent of educators are full-time, and over 67 percent have graduate degrees.

41) Habersham County

Located roughly 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta and roughly 60 minutes north of Athens, Habersham County students score in the top 30th percentage in average testing scores, chronic absenteeism is a low 0.13 percent, and over 90 percent of students graduate. Teachers are compensated at an average of $56,346.31 per annum or $84,870.63 with benefits, and 96.0 percent remain as full-time staff members. They average 15.04 years of experience, and a full 70.6 percent of the educators in this district have graduate credentials.

42) Jackson County

Sitting about 62 miles northeast of Atlanta and about 20 miles northwest of Athens, Jackson County test scores fall in the top tenth percentile in the entire state, chronic absenteeism is a low 0.11 percent, and 95.78 percent of students graduate annually. Over 95 percent of the contented instructors choose to remain full-time, they average 14.16 years of experience, and 70.5 percent of them can claim graduate credentials. The average teacher salary in this district is $56,746.17 or $83,778.92 with benefits.

43) Social Circle City

Situated about 45 minutes southeast of downtown Atlanta and about 35 minutes southwest of downtown Athens, the Social Circle City Public School District graduates 92.31 percent of its students with 1036 average SAT scores. The minority teacher hiring rate is 13.8 percent, 92.6 percent of its steadfast teachers are classified as full-time while averaging 14.56 years of experience, and 73.3 percent of educators have graduate degrees. The average teaching salary is $59,415.64 or $82,276.27 salary with benefits.

44) Wilcox County

Standing about 155 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta and about 163 miles southwest of Savannah, Wilcox County Public School District teachers average 17.8 years of experience, which is second-highest in our entire Top 50 list, and 71.6 percent of them have earned graduate certifications. Furthermore, the teacher salary is a generous $56,635.90 or $73,019.13 salary plus benefits. Over 90 percent of the hard-working students graduate with average SAT scores of 1079, and each student is allocated an average of $10,116.98 per year.

45) Oglethorpe County

Located about 24 miles southeast of Athens and home to white water rafting along with other outdoor recreational activities, Oglethorpe Public County School System students perform in the top twentieth percentile in all of Georgia, and 94.81 percent graduate. The full-time teacher rate is one of the highest on our survey at 99.4 percent while averaging 15.22 years of experience, and 68.5 percent of teachers possess graduate degrees. Teachers are compensated an average of $54,660.19 salary or $81,026.51 salary with benefits.

46) Effingham County

Sitting slightly inland approximately 31 miles northwest of the downtown Savannah metro region, Effingham County Public Schools can claim 98.9 percent of its teachers as full-time instructors. One of Georgia’s original counties created in 1777, the students of Effingham score in the top ten percent on average testing scores, 90.48 percent graduate, and a mere 0.08 percent of them are chronically absent from classes. Teachers average 13.85 years of experience and 64.7 percent have graduate degrees.

47) Catoosa County

Located about 102 miles northwest of Atlanta and bordering the Tennessee state line, Catoosa County Public School students claim 1129 average SAT scores, which is fifth-highest on our rankings. Their average test scoring is in the state’s top 20th percentile, and they display a low 0.12 percent chronic absenteeism rate. Teachers are compensated an average of $55,059.75 salary or $81,838.28 salary with benefits, 91.4 percent are full-time while averaging 16.01 years of experience, and 65.9 percent of teachers in this district have graduate degrees.

48) Pike County

Despite spending a modest $8,076.37 per student, which is the third-lowest amount on our entire Top 50 survey, Pike County Public School System students graduate at an impressive 93.92 rate. Sitting roughly 53 miles south of Atlanta, Pike County can claim 97.0 percent of its teachers as full-time, with an average of 16.27 years of experience and 64.7 percent rate of graduate degrees. The loyal teachers are compensated with a $55,344.70 salary or a $81,917.75 salary plus benefits package per year.

49) Dodge County

Situated about 140 minutes southeast of the downtown Atlanta metro region and about 140 minutes west of downtown Savannah, an impressive 99.1 percent of Dodge County School System teachers are full-time. They average 15.86 years of experience, and a full 72.1 percent possess graduate degrees. The educators are paid an average salary of $54,754.27 or $83,963.62 salary with benefits. The chronic absenteeism rate is only 0.40 percent and 90.45 percent of the students graduate from school.

50) Morgan County

Lastly, settled about 60 miles southeast of Atlanta and about 31 miles southwest of Athens proximate to both a ghost town and a recreation site, is Morgan County school district. Students in Morgan County perform in the top 20th percentile on Georgia’s average testing scores, and 91.24 percent of the students graduate. Teachers average 14.05 years of experience, with 96.1 percent of the teachers possessing full-time status and 72.6 percent having graduate degrees. The average teacher salary for this district is $55,889.89 per year or $81,160.03 salary with benefits yearly.