Mary Lin Elementary School, Atlanta GA

Original Research by School Decision on Mary Lin Elementary School

Mary Lin Elementary School serves about half a thousand students in early elementary through fifth grade across its location in Atlanta. The school draws from a highly affluent residential area: a substantial majority of students are white, and only a small share qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This student composition reflects the neighborhoods it serves.

Academically, Mary Lin's performance is well above average on state assessments. In math, fourth and fifth graders each achieved proficiency rates in the mid-to-high range, with fifth grade particularly strong. Third-grade math proficiency sits notably lower, suggesting an uptick in mastery as students progress through the school. In English language arts, fifth graders stand out with very high proficiency; fourth graders post solid mid-range results, while third graders show lower proficiency, again indicating growth through the grades. Fifth-grade science proficiency is strong. Across tested subjects and grades, Mary Lin ranks in the top tier among schools in DeKalb County districts, reflecting consistent strength in the academic pipeline.

The district context matters. Atlanta Public Schools has made the science of reading a system priority, investing substantially to roll out a research-based literacy program across all elementary schools. This aligns with fourth graders across the district posting meaningful NAEP reading gains, a signal of where instructional focus is landing. At the same time, families should know that APS approved a major restructuring plan in December 2025 that will close, merge, or repurpose schools beginning in 2027-2028, reshaping attendance boundaries and programs across the city. Mary Lin's status within that plan is unclear from the data available, so a parent may want to confirm directly with the school that their child's assignment will not be affected.

The school's immediate neighborhood is part of Atlanta's intown historic residential character—areas like Inman Park and Virginia-Highland with walkable blocks and established housing stock. Housing values are substantially above both state and national benchmarks, and rents are correspondingly high. This is not a growth neighborhood in the sense of new development; rather it is an established, sought-after intown area where most families are homeowners or long-term renters. A parent choosing Mary Lin should expect a peer group of affluent families, stable neighborhood tenure, and proximity to midtown Atlanta's cultural and employment anchors.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 378%

School 78% · District 41% · ▲ 37 pts above district

▲ 38 pts above state median · ▲ 50 pts above county median

Grade 488%

School 88% · District 41% · ▲ 47 pts above district

▲ 43 pts above state median · ▲ 55 pts above county median

Grade 588%

School 88% · District 35% · ▲ 53 pts above district

▲ 50 pts above state median · ▲ 62 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 370%

School 70% · District 35% · ▲ 35 pts above district

▲ 39 pts above state median · ▲ 44 pts above county median

Grade 474%

School 74% · District 38% · ▲ 36 pts above district

▲ 40 pts above state median · ▲ 48 pts above county median

Grade 590%

School 90% · District 39% · ▲ 51 pts above district

▲ 52 pts above state median · ▲ 60 pts above county median

Science

Grade 584%

School 84% · District 38% · ▲ 46 pts above district

▲ 45 pts above state median · ▲ 58 pts above county median

Social studies

Grades 3-895%

School 95% · district not reported

▲ 12 pts above state median · ▲ 26 pts above county median

This schoolAtlanta Public Schools, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grades 3-8Lower-income58%Higher-income88%29 pp gap

Mathematics

Grades 3-8Lower-income42%Higher-income93%51 pp gap