Best Elementary Schools in DeKalb County, Georgia
Introduction
DeKalb County sits at the heart of metro Atlanta's educational landscape, and when it comes to elementary schools, the area punches well above its weight. From selective magnet programs drawing students from across the county to neighborhood schools with deeply invested communities, the best elementary schools here consistently rank among the strongest in the entire state of Georgia. Whether you're relocating to Dunwoody, settling into Decatur, or exploring your options inside Atlanta's perimeter, there's a lot to get excited about.
What makes this list particularly interesting is the variety. You'll find nationally recognized magnet schools sitting alongside beloved neighborhood institutions, each with its own culture and community identity. The schools below were ranked using student performance data in English, Math, and Science — and the results speak for themselves.
1. Kittredge Magnet School — DeKalb County, Atlanta
Kittredge Magnet School scores at the 100th percentile in English, Math, and Science, earning a perfect overall score that puts it in rare company nationwide. As a gifted-focused magnet school, Kittredge draws high-achieving students from across DeKalb County into a rigorous, enriched academic environment that goes well beyond the standard curriculum. Families who choose Kittredge are typically looking for a school that will genuinely challenge their child — and by every academic measure, it delivers.
2. Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers — DeKalb County, Decatur
Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers matches Kittredge at the 100th percentile across English, Math, and Science, making it one of the top-performing elementary schools in the state. Located in Decatur, Wadsworth's name says exactly what it means — this is a school built specifically for students who are ready to accelerate. Families who want a structured, academically intensive experience in a magnet setting consistently point to Wadsworth as one of DeKalb County's most coveted placements.
3. Mary Lin Elementary School — Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta
Mary Lin Elementary sits in the Candler Park and Lake Claire neighborhoods of Atlanta and scores at the 99th percentile in English and Science, and 98th in Math — putting its overall performance at the 99th percentile. It's one of Atlanta Public Schools' true gems, beloved not just for its academic outcomes but for the tight-knit, walkable neighborhood community that surrounds it. Families in this part of intown Atlanta tend to be deeply engaged in the school, and that energy shows up in everything from the classroom to the school garden.
4. Austin Elementary School — DeKalb County, Dunwoody
Austin Elementary in Dunwoody is one of the strongest neighborhood schools in all of DeKalb County, ranking at the 99th percentile in Math and Science, and 98th in English, for an overall score at the 99th percentile. Dunwoody families have long taken pride in Austin, and the school's performance data backs up that reputation year after year. If you're moving to the Dunwoody area and want a high-performing public option without the magnet application process, Austin is a name you'll hear over and over again.
5. Springdale Park Elementary School — Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta
Springdale Park sits in the Virginia-Highland and Druid Hills neighborhoods and earns a 99th percentile overall score, with rankings of 98th in English, 98th in Math, and 99th in Science. It's consistently one of Atlanta Public Schools' highest performers and draws families who want intown Atlanta living without sacrificing academic quality. The school has a strong sense of community identity, and its location in one of Atlanta's most desirable neighborhoods makes it a major draw for families planting roots inside the perimeter.
6. Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School — City Schools of Decatur, Decatur
Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary is part of the highly regarded City Schools of Decatur system, which has built a reputation for thoughtful, progressive education that still delivers strong academic results. Fifth Avenue scores at the 97th percentile in English, 95th in Math, and 90th in Science, landing at the 95th percentile overall. Families drawn to Decatur's walkable, community-oriented character often find that Fifth Avenue fits right into the ethos they were already looking for — a school that balances academic rigor with a genuine focus on the whole child.
7. Vanderlyn Elementary School — DeKalb County, Dunwoody
Vanderlyn is another Dunwoody standout, ranking at the 95th percentile in English, 93rd in Math, and 91st in Science, for a strong 95th percentile overall. Like its Dunwoody neighbor Austin Elementary, Vanderlyn benefits from an active and supportive parent community that helps fuel both academic performance and a rich set of extracurricular programming. Families in north DeKalb who want a neighborhood school with consistently strong outcomes will find Vanderlyn well worth a close look.
8. Ashford Park Elementary School — DeKalb County, Atlanta
Ashford Park Elementary, located in the Brookhaven area of Atlanta, ranks at the 96th percentile in English, 92nd in Math, and 89th in Science, earning an overall score at the 94th percentile. It's a school with a loyal, engaged neighborhood following and academic results that reflect years of investment from both families and staff. For families looking to settle in the Brookhaven or Chamblee corridor, Ashford Park is one of the most talked-about public school options in the area.
9. Robert Shaw Theme School — DeKalb County, Scottdale
Robert Shaw Theme School is one of DeKalb County's more distinctive offerings — a theme-based magnet-style school that manages to blend a unique educational identity with genuinely strong academic performance. It ranks at the 95th percentile in English, 91st in Math, and 92nd in Science, for an overall score at the 93rd percentile. Families who want something a little different from a traditional elementary school model, without sacrificing academic quality, often find Robert Shaw to be a compelling and underappreciated option.
10. Oak Grove Elementary School — DeKalb County, Atlanta
Oak Grove Elementary rounds out the top ten with a 95th percentile in English, 95th in Math, and 84th in Science, landing at an overall score at the 93rd percentile. Located in the North Atlanta area of DeKalb County, Oak Grove has cultivated a strong academic culture and draws families who value both community connection and classroom results. Its particularly strong English and Math scores make it a standout choice for parents who prioritize literacy and numeracy in the early elementary years.
How We Rank Schools
Every school on The School Advocate is ranked using state assessment data across three subjects: English (weighted at 40%), Math (weighted at 40%), and Science (weighted at 20%). Schools are then compared against all other schools in the state and assigned a percentile score in each subject, as well as an overall composite percentile. A school at the 95th percentile is outperforming 95% of schools in Georgia — so even the schools at the bottom of this top-ten list are doing something right. We weight English and Math equally and more heavily because they are tested every year and reflect core foundational skills, while Science rounds out the picture with less frequency but still meaningful insight into a school's academic breadth.
Compare Schools Yourself
Numbers tell part of the story, but every family's priorities are different. If you want to dig into the data yourself — compare two schools side by side, filter by district, or explore how a school has changed over time — head over to theschooladvocate.com/compare. It's free, and it puts the same data we use right in your hands so you can make the call that's right for your kid.
Top Elementary Schools
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kittredge Magnet School | DeKalb County | Atlanta | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers | DeKalb County | Decatur | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 3 | Mary Lin Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 4 | Austin Elementary School | DeKalb County | Dunwoody | 98 | 99 | 99 |
| 5 | Springdale Park Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 98 | 98 | 99 |
| 6 | Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School | City Schools of Decatur | Decatur | 97 | 95 | 95 |
| 7 | Vanderlyn Elementary School | DeKalb County | Dunwoody | 95 | 93 | 95 |
| 8 | Ashford Park Elementary School | DeKalb County | Atlanta | 96 | 92 | 94 |
| 9 | Robert Shaw Theme School | DeKalb County | Scottdale | 95 | 91 | 93 |
| 10 | Oak Grove Elementary School | DeKalb County | Atlanta | 95 | 95 | 93 |