The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in Social studies. The lowest is 17% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on State Specialty Schools Ii- Georgia Fugees Academy Charter
Georgia Fugees Academy Charter School serves middle and high school students across grades six through twelve in DeKalb County. The school operates as a charter serving a student population that is primarily Black and Asian, with about one-third of students identifying as Asian. The enrollment is small, with the school adding students unevenly across grade levels; the middle grades house most of the enrollment, while the upper grades are much smaller.
The school's stated mission centers on serving refugee and immigrant families. According to publicly reported information, the school draws students from over thirty countries. The district brief indicates that Fugees Family, the organization operating the school, has secured a major capital grant toward construction of a permanent campus at a dedicated facility, moving the school from temporary or leased spaces to a purpose-built home. This shift promises greater stability and capacity for the model going forward.
Academic proficiency across the school is well below the county median. State testing data from the most recent year shows overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades runs in the lower range. Performance varies by grade and subject. In sixth-grade English language arts, proficiency is in the low teens. Seventh-grade math proficiency stands in the single digits, though eighth-grade math improves to the low-to-mid forties. Eighth-grade science and social studies proficiency both fall in the low-to-mid twenties. Sixth-grade math shows no students at proficiency, though the scale score suggests students are engaging with content; the state's proficiency bar may reflect the grade-level standard.
Chronic absenteeism is elevated. The rate places the school in the bottom quartile among DeKalb County's districts, a signal that attendance barriers are significant. Data on English learner status and special education services was not available, which may reflect how the school reports these categories or gaps in the source system rather than absence of these supports.
Per-pupil current spending at the school runs substantially higher than the county median, suggesting either smaller-scale operations that drive higher unit costs or intentional resource deployment. Free-and-reduced-price lunch rates were not available in the data.
A parent or resident considering this school is choosing a small, mission-driven charter that prioritizes refugee and immigrant students and families. The academic performance is well below district and state benchmarks, and attendance is a challenge. The path forward includes a move to permanent facilities, which may shape the school's stability and reach. A family considering enrollment may want to speak directly with the school about how it addresses academic gaps, the causes and supports around absenteeism, and the transition timeline and impacts of the capital project.
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