For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public preschools serving 6,306 students in Athens, GA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Athens, GA are Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School and Barrow Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Athens, GA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Georgia public pre school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 39% statewide average). Pre schools in Athens have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Georgia public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public preschool average of 66% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Athens, GA (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
757 N Chase St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-1081
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-1081
Gr: PK-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
Timothy Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1900 Timothy Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0107
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0107
Gr: PK-5 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #33.
Barrow Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Pinecrest Dr
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 543-2676
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 543-2676
Gr: PK-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #44.
South Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1630 New Kings Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Gr: PK-5 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #55.
Barnett Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3220 Barnett Shoals Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5334
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5334
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #66.
Whitehead Road Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
555 Quailwood Dr
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7296
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7296
Gr: PK-5 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #77.
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2300 Danielsville Rd
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5203
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5203
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #88.
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1150 Oglethorpe Ave
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0762
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0762
Gr: PK-5 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #99.
Fowler Drive Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
400 Fowler Dr
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5330
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5330
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1010.
Whit Davis Road Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1450 Whit Davis Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 369-1036
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 369-1036
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1111.
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
715 Fourth St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 369-1893
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 369-1893
Gr: PK-5 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1212.
Gaines Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
900 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5333
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5333
Gr: PK-5 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1313.
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
205 Alps Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-2261
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-2261
Gr: PK-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Athens, Georgia Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Alternative Placement Program (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
440 Dearing Extension
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 546-7721
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 546-7721
Athens Regional Youth Detention Center (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
55 Beaverdam Road Extension
Athens, GA 30608
(706) 369-5605
Athens, GA 30608
(706) 369-5605
Clarke County Evening School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
440 Dearing Extension
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5292
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5292
1630 New Kings Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Gr: 6-8 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rutland Psychoeducational Program (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
Oglethorpe Ave
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 649-3030
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 649-3030
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Athens, GA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Athens, GA include Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School and Barrow Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Athens?
13 public preschools are located in Athens.
What is the racial composition of students in Athens?
Athens public preschools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public preschools average of 66% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Athens are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Athens include: Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School vs. Howard B. Stroud Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School vs. Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School vs. Timothy Elementary School
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