August 6, 2026 — Results from the 2025-2026 Georgia Milestones Assessments show Cobb students continued the district's tradition of academic excellence, outperforming the statewide average in every subject and posting the highest combined scores in the Atlanta metro.
Every year, the Georgia Department of Education administers the end-of-year testing to measure student learning and proficiency in mathematics, science, social studies, and English language arts (ELA) through End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments in grades 3-8 and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments in specific high school courses.
While the ELA results will be released in the coming months, initial results show that once again, the Cobb County School District prepares students for success better than others across the state.
"When parents send their children off to school, they want to know their children are receiving the best possible education. Rankings don’t tell the whole story, but they do confirm what parents know: our Team is delivering that high-quality education, while protecting the taxpayer’s dollar," said Cobb Schools Board Chair Randy Scamihorn.
One measure of student success is the percentage of students scoring at Developing Learner or above—Levels 2, 3, and 4. According to the Georgia Department of Education, achievement levels 2-4 indicate students are proficient in the subject or are well on their way to becoming proficient. For a full explanation of each achievement level, visit the Georgia Department of Education website.
When comparing the percentage of Cobb students scoring in levels 2-4 to the statewide average, Cobb comes out ahead in every single subject tested.
Top Performing Schools
When looking at schools where 90% or more of students scored in levels 2-4, Cobb posted an impressive showing across all grade levels. A total of 75 Cobb schools earned this distinction.
When results from all grade levels are combined, 82.1% of Cobb students scored at achievement levels 2-4, the highest percentage of any metro Atlanta school district. Cobb students outperformed their peers in Fulton, Marietta City, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and other districts, showcasing that Cobb is better preparing students for their next steps in education than anywhere else.
From Elementary to High School, Cobb Students Excel in Math
In math, 33 Cobb schools had 90% or more of their students score in achievement levels 2-4.
For elementary schools, the distinction goes to Addison, Davis, Due West, East Side, Ford, Frey, Garrison Mill, Kemp, King Springs, Mount Bethel, Mountain View, Murdock, Rocky Mount, Shallowford Falls, Sope Creek, Timber Ridge, Tritt, and Vaughan.
At the middle school level, Dickerson, Dodgen, Durham, Hightower Trail, Lost Mountain, Lovinggood, Mabry, McClure, and Simpson each scored in those levels. Cobb high schools with top honors include Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain, Lassiter, Pope, and Walton.
20 Cobb Schools Stand Out for Science Achievement
Twenty Cobb schools achieved at least a 90% rate of tested students scoring at Levels 2–4 on the applicable science assessment.4.
Elementary schools earning this distinction include Addison, Due West, East Side, Garrison Mill, Mount Bethel, Shallowford Falls, Sope Creek, Timber Ridge, and Tritt.
For middle schools, Dickerson, Dodgen, Hightower Trail, Lost Mountain, and Mabry each scored in those levels.
High schools testing above 90% in levels 2-4 include Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain, Lassiter, Pope, and Walton.
16 Cobb Schools Reach 90% or Higher in Social Studies
Social studies results highlighted strong performance among Cobb middle and high schools, with 16 schools reaching 90% or higher at the 2-4 levels.
Awtrey, Cooper, Dickerson, Dodgen, Hightower Trail, Lost Mountain, Lovinggood, Mabry, McClure, McCleskey, Palmer, and Simpson middle schools all earned this distinction.
For high schools, Kell, Lassiter, Pope, and Walton all tested above 90% in levels 2-4.
The schools with the highest percentages of students in levels 2-4 across all subjects include:
- Simpson Middle School: 98.7% in social studies.
- Mount Bethel Elementary School and Sope Creek Elementary School: 98.3% in math
- Dodgen Middle School: 97.9% in social studies.
- Hightower Trail Middle School: 97.5% in social studies.
Schools With the Greatest Gains
While celebrating schools with the highest achievement, it is equally important to recognize the schools making significant gains. These improvements reflect the dedication of students, teachers, and staff who continue to work hard to help every student succeed.
Twenty-two Cobb schools recorded gains of more than 10 percentage points in at least one subject, resulting in 24 school-level improvements across mathematics, science, and social studies.
Math — Percentage-Point Increase
- Brumby Elementary School: +11.2
- Cobb Horizon High School: +29.8
- Lindley Middle School: +10.3
- Russell Elementary School: +10.9
Science — Percentage-Point Increase
- Addison Elementary School: +14.3
- Baker Elementary School: +19.5
- Birney Elementary School: +10.7
- City View Elementary School: +11.9
- Davis Elementary School: +12.5
- Eastvalley Elementary School: +18.9
- Garrett Middle School: +10.0
- Hendricks Elementary School: +13.4
- Keheley Elementary School: +10.6
- Nickajack Elementary School: +12.6
- Norton Park Elementary School: +29.7
- Palmer Middle School: +10.3
- Powder Springs Elementary School: +13.2
- Still Elementary School: +15.1
Social Studies — Percentage-Point Increase
- Awtrey Middle School: +10.3
- Barber Middle School: +15.0
- Garrett Middle School: +20.3
- Palmer Middle School: +16.1
- Pearson Middle School: +26.6
- Smitha Middle School: +16.0
These individual school gains highlight a bigger picture across all Cobb schools: growth is happening across the board.
Not only does Cobb Schools continue to outpace the Georgia statewide averages, but it's also continuing to improve each year.
Achievement Across the Board
Using the district’s Achievement Score, Cobb improved from the previous year on nearly every reported assessment.
At Lassiter High School, in social studies, science, and math, more than 94% of students were in levels 2-4 in all categories tested.
Pope and Walton High School also scored over 90% in every subject tested. For these high school results, the students are all heading into their freshman year, meaning students in Cobb have a firm grasp of what they're learning and are prepared to excel in the classroom.
At Pope and Walton, students who stay at those high schools for all four years graduate 100% of the time, while Lassiter shows a strong 99.7% graduation rate for four-year students as well.
This comes from the most recent data for the class of 2025 as a whole, setting a new Cobb Schools record with an overall graduation rate of 89.2% across all schools. Across the district, an average of 99.2% of seniors graduate when they spend all four years in a Cobb school.
This data shows that Cobb students not only outperform students in other districts across the state, but they're improving each year. This also proves that when students succeed in their early years of learning, it translates to success at the high school level and beyond. Here in the Cobb County School District, students are getting an education that makes this growth and achievement possible.
These results reflect the work of students, families, educators, and staff across the district, as well as the leadership of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and the Board in putting resources in place.
