Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Q: Is Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School a good school?

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School ranks 273 rd of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School is a public elementary school in Athens, Georgia, serving 492 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Clarke County School District.

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School consistently outperforms the Clarke County and Georgia state averages on the Milestones Assessment, with 54.8% of 3rd graders, 55.2% of 4th graders, and 63.5% of 5th graders proficient or better in ELA, compared to 29.7%, 26.7%, and 34.8% for the district, respectively. The school's math proficiency rates are also higher than the district and state. Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary has maintained a strong statewide ranking, placing in the top 20% of Georgia elementary schools for several years and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. Despite having a high percentage of students (82.72%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, the school spends more per student ($12,976) than the state average ($11,588).

Nearby schools like Barrow Elementary and Timothy Elementary also demonstrate strong academic performance, suggesting the high-quality education in the surrounding area. The school's ability to support a high-needs student population and maintain consistent academic success over time is a testament to its effective teaching practices, curriculum, and support systems.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

757 N Chase St
Athens, GA 30601

(706) 543-1081

District: Clarke County

SchoolDigger Rank:
273^rd of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,976

Students who attend Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Clarke Middle School
High:	Clarke Central High School

Student/teacher ratio: 10.0

Number of students: 486

Racial breakdown:

White:

46.1%

African American:

35.4%

Hispanic:

10.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 64.8%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School ranks better than 78.1% of elementary schools in Georgia. It also ranks first among 14 ranked elementary schools in the Clarke County School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76.51. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (46.1%), African American (35.4%), Hispanic (10.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 64.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School is 10, which is the 7^th best among 14 elementary schools in the Clarke County School District. (See more...)

Compare Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School employs 48.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School is $12,976. 10 elementary schools in the Clarke County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Clarke County:

SchoolDigger ranks Clarke County 146^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School.

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Rank History for Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	3.00	1090^th	1101	1.0%
2007	3.21	1113^th	1125	1.1%
2008	13.44	1050^th	1134	7.4%
2009	23.24	967^th	1133	14.7%
2010	37.08	861^st	1183	27.2%
2011	48.15	742^nd	1212	38.8%
2012	78.11	218^th	1201	81.8%
2013	76.54	271^st	1225	77.9%
2014	70.85	386^th	1231	68.6%
2015	87.59	133^rd	1240	89.3%
2016	93.08	80^th	1233	93.5%
2017	88.91	118^th	1205	90.2%
2018	87.63	138^th	1209	88.6%
2019	84.74	173^rd	1234	86.0%
2021	68.31	342^nd	1214	71.8%
2022	82.61	213^th	1244	82.9%
2023	79.35	233^rd	1242	81.2%
2024	76.51	273^rd	1248	78.1%

See the entire list of Georgia Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, August 3, 2017

Great school! I always felt welcome as I walked into the doors of Chase. Teachers and other staff greet parents and the students with a smile. Great school Academically. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	353	353
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	297	297
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	278	278
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	254	254
1994	92	161	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	258
1995	92	218	4	53	2	n/a	n/a	0	369
1996	92	218	4	53	2	n/a	n/a	0	369
1997	80	201	5	59	0	n/a	n/a	0	345
1998	71	190	4	49	0	n/a	n/a	0	314
1999	58	185	1	76	0	n/a	n/a	0	320
2000	42	189	7	92	0	n/a	n/a	0	330
2001	42	185	1	108	0	n/a	n/a	0	336
2002	23	160	4	124	0	n/a	n/a	0	311
2003	23	160	4	124	0	n/a	n/a	0	311
2004	16	161	3	110	0	n/a	n/a	0	290
2005	11	146	0	127	0	n/a	n/a	13	297
2006	15	115	3	129	0	n/a	n/a	10	272
2007	14	111	0	132	0	n/a	n/a	10	267
2008	21	110	3	138	1	n/a	n/a	6	279
2009	73	130	7	143	0	n/a	n/a	14	367
2010	101	177	5	132	0	1	11	0	427
2011	119	176	1	105	0	0	21	0	422
2012	137	178	4	69	0	0	24	0	412
2013	166	207	8	61	0	0	21	0	463
2014	209	216	8	61	0	0	25	0	519
2015	250	187	7	53	0	0	20	0	517
2016	251	170	5	38	0	0	19	0	483
2017	309	194	3	37	0	0	21	0	564
2018	297	190	4	46	0	0	27	0	564
2019	329	201	6	41	1	1	24	0	603
2020	313	202	6	39	0	2	27	0	589
2021	240	175	4	36	0	2	24	0	481
2022	250	153	6	31	0	1	26	0	467
2023	240	173	6	43	1	1	28	0	492
2024	224	172	5	51	0	1	33	0	486

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	353	25.0	14.1	61.2
1991	297	25.0	11.8	61.3
1992	278	25.0	11.1	57.6
1993	254	20.0	12.7	65
1994	258	24.8	10.4	65.9
1995	369	28.5	12.9	75.6
1996	369	28.5	12.9	75.6
1997	345	28.0	12.3	69
1998	314	30.3	10.4	79.3
1999	320	29.3	10.9	85.9
2000	330	27.0	12.2	90
2001	336	23.6	14.2	92.3
2002	311	25.3	12.3	93.2
2003	311	25.3	12.3	93.2
2004	290	27.5	10.5	90.7
2005	297	29.6	10.0	95.8
2006	272	32.8	8.3	91.2
2007	267	28.8	9.3	97.7
2008	279	31.8	8.8	93.4
2009	367	34.8	10.5	81.3
2010	427	37.0	11.5	79.2
2011	422	37.2	11.3	70.4
2012	412	36.5	11.2	67.2
2013	463	37.5	12.3	64.4
2014	519	36.5	14.2	62.6
2015	517	42.0	12.3	55.7
2016	483	44.0	10.9	92.1
2017	564	44.5	12.6	92.2
2018	564	48.5	11.6	92
2019	603	50.6	11.9	92
2020	589	48.2	12.2	53.1
2021	481	48.7	9.8	81.9
2022	467	48.6	9.6	n/a
2023	492	43.7	11.2	82.7
2024	486	48.5	10.0	64.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	353	25.0	14.1	61.2
1991	297	25.0	11.8	61.3
1992	278	25.0	11.1	57.6
1993	254	20.0	12.7	65
1994	258	24.8	10.4	65.9
1995	369	28.5	12.9	75.6
1996	369	28.5	12.9	75.6
1997	345	28.0	12.3	69
1998	314	30.3	10.4	79.3
1999	320	29.3	10.9	85.9
2000	330	27.0	12.2	90
2001	336	23.6	14.2	92.3
2002	311	25.3	12.3	93.2
2003	311	25.3	12.3	93.2
2004	290	27.5	10.5	90.7
2005	297	29.6	10.0	95.8
2006	272	32.8	8.3	91.2
2007	267	28.8	9.3	97.7
2008	279	31.8	8.8	93.4
2009	367	34.8	10.5	81.3
2010	427	37.0	11.5	79.2
2011	422	37.2	11.3	70.4
2012	412	36.5	11.2	67.2
2013	463	37.5	12.3	64.4
2014	519	36.5	14.2	62.6
2015	517	42.0	12.3	55.7
2016	483	44.0	10.9	92.1
2017	564	44.5	12.6	92.2
2018	564	48.5	11.6	92
2019	603	50.6	11.9	92
2020	589	48.2	12.2	53.1
2021	481	48.7	9.8	81.9
2022	467	48.6	9.6	n/a
2023	492	43.7	11.2	82.7
2024	486	48.5	10.0	64.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$711 (5.9%)	$11,320 (94.1%)	$12,032
2018	$630 (5.1%)	$11,716 (94.9%)	$12,345
2019	$917 (7.1%)	$12,059 (92.9%)	$12,976

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 173^rd of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 233^rd of 1242 Elementary schools	4.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School)	52.1	51.5	0.6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Clarke County)	31	29.2	1.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School)	65.8	45.6	20.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Clarke County)	40.4	36.6	3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School)	62.9	54.2	8.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Clarke County)	35.1	24.6	10.5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School)	62.9	56.9	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Clarke County)	38.9	34.7	4.2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School)	65.1	59.7	5.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Clarke County)	34.7	29.2	5.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School)	59.3	55.6	3.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Clarke County)	30.3	26.5	3.8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School)	65.9	59.7	6.2%
5th Grade Science (Clarke County)	31.2	26.9	4.3%
5th Grade Science (Georgia)	43	40	3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	603	492	18.4%
African American	201	173	13.9%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	6	6
Hispanic	41	43	4.9%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	329	240	27.1%
Two or More Races	24	28	16.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	92%	82.7%	9.3%

Schools Near Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)			Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)			Milestones Assessment Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	757 N Chase St	Athens	30601	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 543-1081	486	49	10.0	64.8%	224 (46.1%)	172 (35.4%)	51 (10.5%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (6.8%)	76.5	273^rd of 1248 public elementary schools	78.1%		79.3	233^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	81.2%	40	54.8	55.2	63.5	54.8	50.7	51.4	52.7	$12,976	$917	$12,059
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 Alps Rd	Athens	30606	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 548-2261	324	38	8.6	100.0%	17 (5.2%)	254 (78.4%)	29 (9.0%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.9%)	6.6	1233^rd of 1248 public elementary schools	1.2%		6.4	1227^th of 1242 public elementary schools	1.2%	6	10.8	5.1	10.4	13.2	10.3	12.5	8.3	$14,420	$1,368	$13,053
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1150 Oglethorpe Ave	Athens	30606	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 549-0762	569	52	10.9	84.5%	128 (22.5%)	202 (35.5%)	200 (35.1%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (5.8%)	30.3	849^th of 1248 public elementary schools	32.0%		25.1	914^th of 1242 public elementary schools	26.4%	65	17.9	24.1	34.2	29.9	41.4	34.2	26.0	$14,969	$1,405	$13,564
Barrow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	100 Pinecrest Dr	Athens	30605	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 543-2676	458	43	10.7	78.6%	185 (40.4%)	181 (39.5%)	38 (8.3%)	33 (7.2%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.9%)	61.8	437^th of 1248 public elementary schools	65.0%		62	424^th of 1242 public elementary schools	65.9%	13	40.3	48.6	50.7	45.2	52.9	40.3	44.8	$12,813	$961	$11,853
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	715 Fourth St	Athens	30601	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 369-1893	378	43	8.8	100.0%	25 (6.6%)	268 (70.9%)	68 (18.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.0%)	8.1	1220^th of 1248 public elementary schools	2.2%		18.3	1043^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	16.0%	177	7.3	6.4	21.2	12.7	8.5	17.3	9.8	$17,234	$1,696	$15,538
Fowler Drive Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	400 Fowler Dr	Athens	30601	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 357-5330	392	44	8.8	98.2%	30 (7.7%)	167 (42.6%)	181 (46.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.3%)	23.4	955^th of 1248 public elementary schools	23.5%		23	963^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	22.5%	8	16.1	16.0	32.2	37.1	30.0	25.4	22.0	$13,747	$1,101	$12,646
Whitehead Road Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	555 Quailwood Dr	Athens	30606	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 548-7296	667	71	9.4	81.0%	110 (16.5%)	228 (34.2%)	290 (43.5%)	8 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	29 (4.3%)	35.3	767^th of 1248 public elementary schools	38.5%		36.6	747^th of 1242 public elementary schools	39.9%	20	25.3	25.9	31.0	43.7	42.0	38.0	23.0	$12,048	$1,070	$10,977
Timothy Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1900 Timothy Rd	Athens	30606	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 549-0107	595	53	11.2	45.7%	223 (37.5%)	236 (39.7%)	62 (10.4%)	16 (2.7%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (9.2%)	71.5	326^th of 1248 public elementary schools	73.9%		71.2	325^th of 1242 public elementary schools	73.8%	1	53.7	45.0	54.4	49.3	51.7	54.4	51.9	$12,938	$857	$12,081
Gaines Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	900 Gaines School Rd	Athens	30605	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 357-5333	545	50	10.9	100.0%	36 (6.6%)	386 (70.8%)	91 (16.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.0%)	9	1205^th of 1248 public elementary schools	3.4%		8.2	1210^th of 1242 public elementary schools	2.6%	5	17.6	7.3	10.9	20.6	19.5	4.7	7.8	$14,017	$1,348	$12,670
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2300 Danielsville Rd	Athens	30601	Clarke County	Clarke County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 357-5203	395	45	8.7	80.5%	17 (4.3%)	82 (20.8%)	288 (72.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.3%)	32.7	801^st of 1248 public elementary schools	35.8%		28.9	853^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	31.3%	52	25.0	13.0	25.9	41.2	38.9	39.7	31.0	$13,665	$1,154	$12,511

Frequently Asked Questions about Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School?

Students at Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School are 46% White, 35% African American, 10% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School a good school?

Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School ranks 273^rd of 1248 Georgia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 486 students attended Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Clarke Middle School
High : Clarke Central High School

What district is Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School in?

Clarke County

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.