The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Social studies. The lowest is 26% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Westside Elementary School
Westside Elementary serves the city of Cedartown, the county seat of Polk County, sitting roughly seventy miles northwest of Atlanta in a region actively rebuilding after decades of post-industrial decline. The school sits on Frank Lott Drive and enrolls a diverse student body in prekindergarten through fifth grade, with a student population that is roughly evenly split between white and Hispanic students, and meaningful shares of Black, Asian, and multiracial families. Close to all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a low-income community context.
The school's recent state assessment results show proficiency levels that warrant close attention. In grade three, both math and English language arts proficiency stand at less than one in four students meeting state standards. Grade four shows stronger results in math, with about half proficient, but English language arts remains limited in the low twenties. Grade five proficiency across math and ELA hovers in the low thirties, while science performance is notably higher at about four in ten students meeting the mark. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school on what supports are in place for grades three and four, particularly in early literacy and math foundations, where proficiency gaps appear steepest. The school's most recent data point for social studies, from several years ago, showed a substantially higher proficiency rate, though that assessment has since been discontinued in the state. Because Westside serves only grades pre-K through five, there is no high school graduation data and no long-term enrollment trend data available.
The school operates within Polk County Schools, a district navigating a significant structural funding challenge. In November 2025, county voters approved a senior homestead property tax exemption that will reduce school district tax revenue substantially each year. The exemption allows residents sixty-five and older to shield a portion of their home value from school district property taxes, with residents seventy-seven and older fully exempt. The district anticipates losing a meaningful amount of recurring annual revenue, a shift that will likely affect the funding available for schools and classrooms going forward.
Cedartown itself is in active revitalization. Downtown has seen recent investment in streetscapes, restaurants, and shops anchored by the restored Main Street commercial district and the Silver Comet Trail, a multiuse paved path that draws walkers and cyclists through town. The city was designated a rural zone in 2023, spurring facade upgrades and new civic gathering spaces like the Lankford Corner event venue. Housing development is underway to accommodate incoming employment; a solar panel recycling company plans to open two facilities expected to bring a significant number of jobs by 2027. Manufacturing remains the economic backbone, with major employers including an office furniture maker, composites manufacturer, and corporate support facilities. The immediate housing market reflects that revitalization: home values in the area are below the state benchmark, and monthly housing costs consume a modest share of income, making the area relatively affordable for families relocating to the region.
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