DeKalb Class Size Analysis – Elementary Schools – 2017

Posted on May 1, 2017 by | 13 Comments

Last year the State Board of Education approved DeKalb County School District as a Strategic-Saiver School System. As such, DeKalb Schools gets flexibility in the form of indefinite waivers for certain state laws, rules and guidelines including class size waivers.
I have been a tireless advocate for pushing money into the classroom and class sizes on average across the county have been drifting down. This is a follow up to the Class Size Average (Nov 2015) report. This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by elementary school. The average class size for the school (grades K-5) were ranked and ordered from smallest to largest.

Legal Max Class Size – Before DeKalb Schools was granted SWSS status, GaDOE rule 160-5-1-.08 set the maximum number of students in a class.
Waiver Max Class Size – The school district was never compliant with the law and received  annual class size waivers. All maximums are subject to an additional +2 waiver for emergency use

Average Class Size For Every Elementary School By Grade

Legal Max Class Size 18 21 21 21 28 28
Waiver Max Class Size 24 27 27 27 34 34
District Class Size Avg 19 21 21 21 25 25
Grade Level
K 1 2 3 4 5 AVG
1 BRIAR VISTA ELEMENTARY 18 17 17 17 22 18 18.17
2 DUNAIRE ELEMENTARY 18 17 16 17 22 21 18.50
3 KELLEY LAKE ELEMENTARY 16 22 19 16 18 20 18.50
4 WADSWORTH MAGNET 19 18 18.50
5 FLAT SHOALS ELEMENTARY 20 17 19 16 21 19 18.67
6 BROCKETT ELEMENTARY 14 20 19 20 20 23 19.33
7 JOHN LEWIS ELEMENTARY 17 20 20 18 21 21 19.50
8 LIVSEY ELEMENTARY 21 22 17 18 22 18 19.67
9 BRIARLAKE ELEMENTARY 16 23 17 21 22 20 19.83
10 KITTRIDGE MAGNET 20 20 20.00
11 MIDVALE ELEMENTARY 15 19 21 19 21 25 20.00
12 TONEY ELEMENTARY 20 21 20 17 20 23 20.17
13 HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY 19 21 18 20 22 22 20.33
14 ROCKBRIDGE ELEMENTARY 18 19 19 18 27 21 20.33
15 MONTCLAIR ELEMENTARY 20 22 19 21 21 20 20.50
16 VANDERLYN ELEMENTARY 21 21 19 21 20 21 20.50
17 ROBERT SHAW ELEMENTARY 15 18 17 24 25 25 20.67
18 KINGSLEY ELEMENTARY 15 20 20 20 24 27 21.00
19 MONTGOMERY ELEMENTARY 18 20 22 20 23 24 21.17
20 BROWNS MILL ELEMENTARY 17 21 17 23 26 24 21.33
21 CARY REYNOLDS ELEM 18 23 22 19 22 24 21.33
22 HENDERSON MILL ELEM 20 19 22 19 24 24 21.33
23 LAUREL RIDGE ELEMENTARY 23 19 22 20 23 21 21.33
24 MCNAIR DISCOVERY ELEMENTARY 20 18 18 18 27 27 21.33
25 OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY 20 21 22 22 20 23 21.33
26 AVONDALE ELEMENTARY 20 25 19 20 21 24 21.50
27 EVANSDALE ELEMENTARY 18 22 20 21 26 22 21.50
28 ASHFORD PARK ELEMENTARY 21 23 20 21 22 23 21.67
29 FERNBANK ELEMENTARY 18 22 24 19 24 23 21.67
30 HIGHTOWER ELEMENTARY 17 20 20 22 26 25 21.67
31 MCLENDON ELEMENTARY 22 21 20 20 20 27 21.67
32 MURPHEY CANDLER ELEM 21 20 18 22 24 25 21.67
33 RAINBOW ELEMENTARY 18 20 18 22 24 28 21.67
34 CANBY LANE ELEMENTARY 20 19 20 23 24 26 22.00
35 BOB MATHIS ELEMENTARY 18 19 24 22 23 27 22.17
36 CHESNUT ELEMENTARY 20 22 20 23 23 25 22.17
37 HUNTLEY HILLS ELEM 14 21 19 26 28 25 22.17
38 SMOKE RISE ELEMENTARY 22 19 22 20 29 21 22.17
39 DRESDEN ELEMENTARY 21 21 22 19 26 25 22.33
40 JOLLY ELEMENTARY 21 20 22 20 24 28 22.50
41 AUSTIN ELEMENTARY 21 25 22 22 21 25 22.67
42 COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY 19 22 22 20 29 24 22.67
43 ALLGOOD ELEMENTARY 21 22 20 21 28 25 22.83
44 BAROCK OBAMA ELEMENTARY 18 19 23 22 26 29 22.83
45 HAMBRICK ELEMENTARY 20 23 21 23 25 25 22.83
46 REDAN ELEMENTARY 19 22 21 21 29 25 22.83
47 ROWLAND ELEMENTARY 17 20 22 22 28 28 22.83
48 DUNWOODY ELEMENTARY 20 21 21 23 26 27 23.00
49 E.L. MILLER ELEMENTARY 16 22 23 21 29 27 23.00
50 FAIRINGTON ELEMENTARY 21 19 24 20 27 27 23.00
51 PLEASANTDALE ELEMENTARY 19 21 20 21 29 28 23.00
52 ROCK CHAPEL ELEMENTARY 23 23 23 23 24 22 23.00
53 SHADOW ROCK ELEM 17 21 21 22 28 29 23.00
54 PANOLA WAY ELEMENTARY 22 21 20 25 25 26 23.17
55 STONE MILL ELEMENTARY 21 22 19 23 29 25 23.17
56 CHAPEL HILL ELEMENTARY 17 20 24 25 25 29 23.33
57 E.L. BOUIE ELEMENTARY 22 20 22 22 27 27 23.33
58 OAKVIEW ELEMENTARY 21 22 24 24 25 24 23.33
59 SAGAMORE HILLS ELEM 19 20 23 25 29 24 23.33
60 STONE MOUNTAIN ELEM 19 20 24 20 29 28 23.33
61 STONEVIEW ELEMENTARY 21 22 22 24 27 24 23.33
62 WOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY 21 21 19 21 30 29 23.50
63 WOODWARD ELEMENTARY 17 22 25 22 27 28 23.50
64 WYNBROOKE 22 21 21 23 28 26 23.50
65 FLATROCK ELEMENTARY 20 20 23 23 27 29 23.67
66 PEACHCREST ES 21 22 22 26 25 26 23.67
67 PRINCETON ELEMENTARY 20 19 22 25 26 30 23.67
68 DEKALB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF ARTS 20 23 23 22 27 28 23.83
69 N. HARRIS ELEMENTARY 23 21 22 23 28 26 23.83
70 PINE RIDGE ELEM 19 22 24 22 28 30 24.17
71 OAKCLIFF ELEMENTARY 23 24 23 25 26 25 24.33
72 SNAPFINGER ELEM 23 24 22 21 29 27 24.33
73 IDLEWOOD ELEMENTARY 22 23 22 24 28 28 24.50
74 MARBUT ELEMENTARY 21 22 22 24 30 30 24.83
75 CEDAR GROVE ELEMENTARY 23 25 25 23 24 32 25.33
76 INDIAN CREEK ELEM 23 24 25 23 29 30 25.67

Related Posts

DeKalb Class Size Analysis
Middle Schools – 2017
May 2, 2017 – Over the last 4 years DeKalb Schools has added over 1,000 school house employees. Middle school class sizes have gone down and are generally below the state max. This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by DeKalb middle school.

DeKalb Class Size Analysis
Elementary Schools – 2017
May 1, 2017 – This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by elementary school. The average class size for the school (grades K-5) were ranked and ordered from smallest to largest.

Class Size Analysis – Elementary Schools
September 8, 2015 – This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by elementary school. The average class size for the school (grades K-5) were ranked and ordered from smallest to largest. Comment on this post and let me know if these class sizes are not accurate in your school.

This entry was posted in Class Size and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

13 responses to “DeKalb Class Size Analysis – Elementary Schools – 2017”

  1. Anonymous | May 1, 2017 at 4:15 PM |

    So discouraging that the school with the biggest class sizes, Indian Creek Elementary in Region 3, also has:
    – over 1000 students!
    – 85% ESOL population!
    – 100% Free and Reduced Lunch population!
    – is over-capacity by nearly 600 students!
    Why would the District not use its SWSS waivers to lower class sizes for this school, which has so many challenges?
    Instead, it looks like the SWSS waivers just pave the way for No One to hold the District accountable for providing Indian Creek ES students with an appropriate instructional environment.
    Class size matters! The difference between having a class of 18 5th graders (Briar Vista ES) and 30 5th graders (Indian Creek ES) is huge. I hope that Dr. Morley and Mr. Orson, who represent Indian Creek ES, can persuade the District to support smaller class sizes.
    The District has committed to a tear-down and re-build of Indian Creek ES, which is admirable. But for the children and staff who will live through the construction with these huge class sizes, more is needed. Now.

  2. Cathy D | May 1, 2017 at 6:25 PM |

    Mr. Jester,
    Are these averages calculated by number of students per grade divided by number of regular ed homerooms? Or are they calculated by dividing by the number of teachers assigned to students in the grade level which would include special education co-teachers?
    Some schools with a higher number of special ed students appear to have lower class sizes when they do not have fewer students in the classroom at one time. A smaller class size implies there are fewer bodies in one room. A co-taught special education student is still the responsibility of the regular ed teacher while he or she is in their room and fewer students in the room makes the most difference in their educational
    outcomes.

  3. Stan Jester | May 1, 2017 at 9:08 PM |

    Indian Creek
    Capacity: 900
    Enrollment: 1160
    I’m guessing the large class sizes at Indian Creek are a function of space more than anything. Indian Creek is scheduled to get a new 1,200 seat elementary school by 2019.
    Calculation – I’m not sure how the administration accounts for classes with para-pros.

  4. Cathy D | May 1, 2017 at 9:19 PM |

    Some classes served by a para pro, and some have a certified teacher in addition to the regular ed teacher. Working as a sub, I believe these teachers are being counted. I have not seen classes as small as those listed for buildings in which I have worked. It makes it look like the district is favoring students at schools in Regions I and II which is not the case. Those schools have the same large classes in grades 4 and 5 as others in the county.

  5. Stan Jester | May 1, 2017 at 9:52 PM |

    The exposure I have tells me these numbers are accurate. A number of things go into class size. Different types of students can affect class size. Refer to How The District Funds The School House for an in depth look at that. The ability of a principal to maximize funding makes a huge difference. I talked to an elementary school principal a few years ago that said they were able to add 5 teachers by scheduling the students in such a way it maximizes funding.
    If your class size isn’t what you want it to be, ask your school council, board member and principal why.

  6. DeKalb Taxpayer Parent | May 3, 2017 at 3:45 AM |

    Most concerns brought to the attention of Superintendent Green is talk and little action. He is too busy with building his falsehood credentials in Leadership Atlanta at the Dekalb taxpayers’ expense. Investigate the use of funds to pay for his expenses in a leadership program that takes a year to complete. Is this opportunity made to others besides Manomay Malathip in Leadership DeKalb? Investigate the use of time and funds to complete these programs. When paid at an executive level of $115,000, the person should have already acquired such competencies.

  7. RunAmok | May 3, 2017 at 10:42 AM |

    Kittredge Magnet average class size – 20 in 4th and 20 in 5th.
    A few other comparable class sizes in 5th grade in a set of schools who make up a significant portion of the KMS student population and who annually have a number of qualifying candidates that don’t get their names drawn to attend KMS:
    Dunwoody 27
    Montgomery 24
    Oak Grove 23
    Austin 25
    APES 23
    Chestnut 25
    Henderson Mill 23
    How is it that these tax paying citizens who have students that qualify for magnet have to resort to being in classrooms that are anywhere from 15- 35% larger than that of the classes in the magnet program simply because their names weren’t “drawn” in the lottery? How fair is that? Do they not all pay the same taxes? Why some benefits for one group of children and not the same group of benefits for the others? I would love an aggressive lawyer to get on this and sue the hell out of the school board for an unfair system.

  8. Cathy D | May 3, 2017 at 10:46 AM |

    All of the numbers especially for 4th and 5th grades at the schools in Regions I and II need to be checked. The actual number of students in the room is higher than reported. The data is misleading.

  9. Russell Carleton | May 3, 2017 at 1:06 PM |

    Stan, Cathy has a really good point. The methodology here is critical. At the very least, we can agree that the experience of having a co-taught classroom with 40 students in it is a very different one than having two single-teacher classrooms each with 20 students. Depending on the methodology, both could be claimed as “20 kids per class.”
    Also, unrelated, but the first name of “Barock” Obama is spelled incorrectly in the chart.

  10. Stan Jester | May 3, 2017 at 2:03 PM |

    RunAmok, There is obviously an enormous demand for high achievers magnets, so I don’t know why we don’t expand the program.
    Cathy, I believe the numbers at Vanderlyn ES are accurate. Can you give me an example of an elementary school that you believe is inaccurate and what you believe the numbers should be?
    “Barock” (sic)

  11. RunAmok | May 3, 2017 at 4:02 PM |

    Haven’t we been talking about “expanding” the program for what 25 years? Or here’s a thought. Maybe we don’t need the program anymore? Maybe its outdated? Maybe its original intention (integration) is 40 years too late? Maybe its a drain on the system and creates divisiveness between the haves and have nots among the high performers (Kid A gets in, family and kid think kid A is smarter than Kid B who may have higher grades and test scores than Kid A, but didn’t win the magic lottery. Parents get teed off at each other. Bad divisive culture, etc.). Maybe every school should have their own “magnet” program and we treat all high achievers the same.
    Stupid me though, we live in Dekalb County….that’s too rationale of a thought…

  12. chamblee getting screwed | May 3, 2017 at 8:44 PM |

    RunAmok, you clearly don’t have your priorities straight. It’s only about the southsiders and the BuHi folks. Those schools you list have way too much privilege. You need to be happy with what you’ve got.

  13. chamblee getting screwed | May 4, 2017 at 9:44 AM |

    BTW, thank you to those folks that were so wanting the mega school thing. You ran off our principal at Chamblee. Great job!