Best Elementary Schools in Fulton County, Georgia
Introduction
Fulton County is home to some of the most academically accomplished elementary schools in Georgia — and honestly, in the entire country. Stretching from the bustling suburbs of Alpharetta and Johns Creek down into Atlanta proper, the county covers an enormous range of communities, each with its own personality. What they share, at least at the top of the rankings, is a serious commitment to student achievement.
If you're a parent researching where to plant roots in the Atlanta metro area, the schools on this list are worth knowing about. These aren't just "good for the area" schools — many of them rank in the 98th, 99th, and even 100th percentile nationally, meaning they're competing with the best elementary schools in the country. Whether you're drawn to the master-planned neighborhoods of North Fulton or the more established communities closer to the city, there's a lot to like here.
1. Creek View Elementary School — Fulton County, Alpharetta
Creek View Elementary sits at the very top of Fulton County's rankings — and it's not close. Scoring in the 100th percentile nationally in both English and Science, and the 99th in Math, this school is about as elite as public elementary education gets. It serves a corner of Alpharetta that has grown rapidly over the past decade, drawing families who relocated for the tech corridor and stayed for exactly this kind of school. If you're a family that prioritizes academics above everything else and you're able to get into the Creek View attendance zone, this is a destination school.
2. Lake Windward Elementary School — Fulton County, Alpharetta
Tucked into the Lake Windward neighborhood — a large, amenity-rich community built around a private lake — this school reflects the high expectations of the families it serves. With 99th percentile scores across English and Math and a 98th in Science, it consistently performs at a level that would make it the top school in most other counties in Georgia. The neighborhood itself has a strong sense of community, with active HOA events and a parent base that tends to be deeply involved in school life. Families who want top academics alongside a neighborhood where kids can actually grow up knowing their neighbors tend to love this area.
3. Wilson Creek Elementary School — Fulton County, Duluth
Wilson Creek is a bit of a hidden gem — technically in the Duluth mailing address area but squarely within Fulton County, which sometimes causes confusion for families new to the region. Don't let the geography trip you up: this school scores in the 99th percentile in both English and Math and the 98th in Science, putting it firmly among the county's elite. The surrounding neighborhoods are well-established and family-friendly, popular with families who want a quieter, more suburban feel while still being close to the amenities of Alpharetta and Johns Creek. It tends to attract families who did their homework and specifically sought out this attendance zone.
4. Heards Ferry Elementary School — Fulton County, Atlanta
Heards Ferry is one of the standout stories in Atlanta public education — a school that proves strong academics aren't exclusive to the northern suburbs. Scoring in the 100th percentile in English and the 98th in both Math and Science, it outperforms schools in far more affluent zip codes across the state. Located in the Sandy Springs area of Atlanta, the school draws from established, tree-lined neighborhoods that have long attracted professional families who want the energy of the city without leaving the Atlanta city limits. It's a school with a loyal, tight-knit community of families who tend to be very engaged and very proud of what this school represents.
5. Barnwell Elementary School — Fulton County, Alpharetta
Barnwell sits in the heart of Alpharetta, one of the Atlanta metro's most consistently family-friendly cities, and it shows in the academics — 99th percentile in English and Science, 98th in Math. The school serves a mix of newer subdivisions and more established neighborhoods, giving it a diverse cross-section of the Alpharetta community. Parents here tend to appreciate that the school delivers elite results without the pressure-cooker reputation that can follow some high-performing schools. If Alpharetta is already on your list as a place to live, Barnwell's attendance zone is well worth mapping out before you start your home search.
Score Trends — Top 5
Among the first five schools, the picture is decidedly mixed. Creek View Elementary saw slight declines in both subjects, with English dropping from 85 to 84 and Math falling from 91 to 89, suggesting some challenges across the board. Lake Windward showed resilience in English (improving from 80 to 81) but experienced a Math dip from 90 to 88, making Math the weaker performer. Wilson Creek maintained relative stability with modest gains in English (79 to 80) and just a one-point Math decline (88 to 87). The real concern emerges at Heards Ferry Elementary, which experienced the steepest declines in this group—English dropped three points to 82 and Math fell four points to 85—indicating this school may need additional support. Overall, Math appears to be the more troubled subject across these five schools, with only Lake Windward's English gains offering a bright spot.
6. Birmingham Falls Elementary School — Fulton County, Milton
Milton is one of the most desirable cities in all of Georgia — known for its equestrian estates, quiet rural character, and fierce resistance to overdevelopment — and Birmingham Falls fits that profile perfectly. Scoring in the 99th percentile in English, 98th in Math, and 97th in Science, the school serves a community that values quality of life as much as academic rigor. The families here tend to have chosen Milton very deliberately; this isn't a place people stumble into. If you're drawn to large lots, good schools, and a community that genuinely feels like it's off the beaten path despite being 30 minutes from Buckhead, Birmingham Falls is a compelling part of the package.
7. Shakerag Elementary School — Fulton County, Johns Creek
Johns Creek consistently ranks among the best cities to raise a family in Georgia, and Shakerag Elementary is a big part of why. With 99th percentile scores in English and 98th in both Math and Science, it's a school that Johns Creek families point to with real pride. The surrounding area is polished and well-planned, with newer homes, good parks, and a strong sense of civic investment. There's also a notably diverse parent community here, reflecting the multicultural character of Johns Creek as a whole — a city that has attracted a significant number of families with roots in South and East Asia who bring high academic expectations along with them.
8. Sweet Apple Elementary School — Fulton County, Roswell
Roswell has long had a reputation as one of the more charming cities in the Atlanta suburbs — with a genuine historic downtown, strong arts community, and neighborhoods that feel lived-in rather than freshly stamped out of a development plan. Sweet Apple Elementary matches that character, offering 98th percentile scores in both English and Math alongside a community feel that parents consistently rave about. It draws from some of Roswell's more desirable residential pockets and attracts families who want excellent schools without necessarily sacrificing proximity to the restaurants, trails, and culture that make Roswell one of the more interesting places to actually live in North Fulton.
9. Mountain Park Elementary School — Fulton County, Roswell
Mountain Park Elementary serves the Mountain Park area of Roswell — a neighborhood that has a devoted following among families who discover it. Scoring in the 98th percentile overall, with strong marks in English and Math, it punches well above what most people would expect from a school in this quieter corner of the county. The community around Mountain Park Elementary tends to be close-knit and unpretentious, attracting families who are less interested in prestige-address living and more focused on finding a genuinely good school in a neighborhood where people actually know each other. It's the kind of school that shows up on "hidden gem" lists for good reason.
10. Dolvin Elementary School — Fulton County, Alpharetta
Dolvin rounds out the top ten and holds its own with 97th percentile scores in both English and Math and a 98th percentile overall ranking. Located in Alpharetta, it serves a community that expects a lot from its schools — and delivers. The school has a reputation for a supportive, involved parent community and tends to attract families who have specifically chosen Alpharetta for its combination of job access, walkable town center, and school quality. As Alpharetta continues to grow and attract younger families, schools like Dolvin are a core part of the pitch for why this city keeps showing up on "best places to live" rankings year after year.
Score Trends — #6-10
Schools 6 through 10 tell a more encouraging story, with several bright spots offsetting some struggles. Barnwell Elementary stands out as the clear winner, with English improving from 79 to 82 and Math jumping from 82 to 86, suggesting effective teaching strategies taking hold. Shakerag Elementary showed a notable Math surge from 81 to 86 while English dipped slightly from 80 to 79, demonstrating strong progress in one subject. Mountain Park Elementary also impressed with English climbing from 79 to 80 and Math climbing significantly from 79 to 85, a six-point gain that's among the district's best performances. However, Birmingham Falls (English down from 84 to 81, though Math up to 87) and especially Sweet Apple and Dolvin Elementary (English down three to four points in each case) show troubling declines in English that bear watching. The diversity of outcomes in this group suggests that some schools have found winning formulas while others need to reassess their approach, particularly in English instruction.
How We Rank Schools
The School Advocate ranks schools using state assessment data across three subjects: English, Math, and Science. English and Math are each weighted at 40%, while Science accounts for the remaining 20%. Scores reflect how a school's students performed relative to all other schools nationally — so a school in the 99th percentile is outperforming 99% of schools across the country, not just within Georgia. When multiple years of data are available, more recent years are weighted more heavily to reflect where a school is today, not just where it has been.
Compare Schools Yourself
Numbers tell part of the story, but every family's priorities are different. If you want to go deeper — compare schools side by side, look at individual subject scores, or explore how schools in different cities stack up against each other — head over to our school comparison tool at /compare. You can build your own comparison in a few clicks and filter by the factors that matter most to you.
Top 50 Rankings
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creek View Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| 2 | Lake Windward Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 3 | Wilson Creek Elementary School | Fulton County | Duluth | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| 4 | Heards Ferry Elementary School | Fulton County | Atlanta | 100 | 98 | 99 |
| 5 | Barnwell Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 6 | Birmingham Falls Elementary School | Fulton County | Milton | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 7 | Shakerag Elementary School | Fulton County | Johns Creek | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 8 | Sweet Apple Elementary School | Fulton County | Roswell | 98 | 98 | 98 |
| 9 | Mountain Park Elementary School | Fulton County | Roswell | 98 | 97 | 98 |
| 10 | Dolvin Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 97 | 97 | 98 |
| 11 | State Bridge Crossing Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 97 | 96 | 98 |
| 12 | Crabapple Crossing Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 98 | 97 | 97 |
| 13 | Morningside Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 97 | 95 | 97 |
| 14 | Summit Hill Elementary | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 98 | 94 | 97 |
| 15 | Alpharetta Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 98 | 93 | 97 |
| 16 | Amana Academy School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 90 | 99 | 96 |
| 17 | Cogburn Woods Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 96 | 94 | 96 |
| 18 | Resurgence Hall Charter School | State Charter Schools II- Resurgence Hall Charter School | East Point | 94 | 95 | 96 |
| 19 | Medlock Bridge Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 95 | 94 | 95 |
| 20 | Findley Oaks Elementary School | Fulton County | Duluth | 95 | 93 | 95 |
| 21 | New Prospect Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 95 | 94 | 95 |
| 22 | Abbotts Hill Elementary School | Fulton County | Duluth | 94 | 96 | 95 |
| 23 | Roswell North Elementary School | Fulton County | Roswell | 95 | 94 | 95 |
| 24 | Jackson Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 97 | 93 | 94 |
| 25 | Ocee Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 95 | 90 | 94 |
| 26 | River Eves Elementary School | Fulton County | Roswell | 93 | 92 | 93 |
| 27 | Northwood Elementary School | Fulton County | Roswell | 96 | 88 | 92 |
| 28 | Morris Brandon Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 97 | 90 | 92 |
| 29 | Fulton Academy of Science and Technology | Fulton County | Roswell | 96 | 98 | 92 |
| 30 | Atlanta Neighborhood Charter - Elementary | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 96 | 87 | 90 |
| 31 | Spalding Drive Elementary | Fulton County | Atlanta | 90 | 85 | 89 |
| 32 | Resurgence Hall Middle Academy | State Charter Schools II- Resurgence Hall Middle Academy | Atlanta | 93 | 75 | 83 |
| 33 | Manning Oaks Elementary School | Fulton County | Alpharetta | 82 | 78 | 81 |
| 34 | Hembree Springs Elementary School | Fulton County | Roswell | 86 | 73 | 80 |
| 35 | Hillside Elementary School | Fulton County | Roswell | 86 | 75 | 80 |
| 36 | Woodland Elementary School | Fulton County | Atlanta | 82 | 71 | 79 |
| 37 | KIPP South Fulton Academy School | Fulton County | Atlanta | 68 | 92 | 79 |
| 38 | Bolton Academy Elementary | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 86 | 65 | 76 |
| 39 | Parkside Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 78 | 67 | 74 |
| 40 | Sara Rawson Smith Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 82 | 64 | 73 |
| 41 | High Point Elementary School | Fulton County | Atlanta | 75 | 67 | 71 |
| 42 | E. Rivers Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 81 | 65 | 70 |
| 43 | Wolf Creek Elementary | Fulton County | College Park | 75 | 61 | 67 |
| 44 | Beecher Hills Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 71 | 58 | 64 |
| 45 | E. C. West Elementary School | Fulton County | Fairburn | 68 | 57 | 62 |
| 46 | Wesley International Academy Charter | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 43 | 96 | 61 |
| 47 | Liberty Point Elementary School | Fulton County | Union City | 62 | 64 | 60 |
| 48 | Westside Atlanta Charter School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 65 | 59 | 59 |
| 49 | Garden Hills Elementary School | Atlanta Public Schools | Atlanta | 63 | 49 | 56 |
| 50 | Cliftondale Elementary School | Fulton County | College Park | 63 | 53 | 54 |