Best Clarke County Public Preschools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 14 public preschools serving 6,756 students in Clarke County, GA.
The top ranked public preschools in Clarke County, 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.
Clarke County, 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 Clarke County 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 65% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Clarke County (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
757 N Chase St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-1081
Gr: PK-5 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #22.
Timothy Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1900 Timothy Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0107
Gr: PK-5 | 595 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #33.
Barrow Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
100 Pinecrest Dr
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 543-2676
Gr: PK-5 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #44.
South Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1630 New Kings Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Gr: PK-5 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #55.
Barnett Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3220 Barnett Shoals Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5334
Gr: PK-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #66.
Whitehead Road Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
555 Quailwood Dr
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-7296
Gr: PK-5 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2300 Danielsville Rd
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5203
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Winterville Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
305 Cherokee Rd
Winterville, GA 30683
(706) 357-5222
Gr: PK-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #99.
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1150 Oglethorpe Ave
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-0762
Gr: PK-5 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1010.
Fowler Drive Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Fowler Dr
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 357-5330
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1111.
Whit Davis Road Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1450 Whit Davis Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 369-1036
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1212.
Howard B. Stroud Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
715 Fourth St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 369-1893
Gr: PK-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1313.
Gaines Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Gaines School Rd
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 357-5333
Gr: PK-5 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1414.
Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
205 Alps Rd
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 548-2261
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Clarke County, GA

Clarke County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
440 Dearing Extension
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 546-7721
55 Beaverdam Road Extension
Athens, GA 30608
(706) 369-5605
440 Dearing Extension
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5292
440-2 Dearing Ext
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 357-5239
1630 New Kings Bridge Rd
Athens, GA 30607
(706) 208-3552
Gr: 6-8 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Oglethorpe Ave
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 649-3030
440 Dearing Ext
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 546-7721
Gr: 7-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public preschools in Clarke County, GA?
The top ranked public preschools in Clarke County, GA include Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, Timothy Elementary School and Barrow Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Clarke County?
14 public preschools are located in Clarke County.
What is the racial composition of students in Clarke County?
Clarke County public preschools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public preschools average of 65% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Clarke County are often viewed compared to one another?

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