The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in Social studies. The lowest is 23% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Van Wert Elementary School
Van Wert Elementary School is a public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Rockmart, a small historic town in Polk County. The school draws from a student body that is economically challenged across the board: all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is relatively small, with roughly balanced class sizes across the grade bands.
The racial and ethnic makeup is predominantly white, with a substantial Black student population, a smaller Hispanic enrollment, and a handful of students identifying as multiracial or Asian. Enrollment data on students with individualized education plans and English learners was not available.
Academic performance across math, English language arts, and science is consistently low. In the most recent state testing results, fewer than one in four students demonstrated proficiency in any tested subject at any grade level. English language arts proficiency ranged from roughly one in five students in third and fifth grades to roughly one in three in fourth grade. Math proficiency was similar, with the lowest performance in fifth grade. Science proficiency, tested only in fifth grade, hovered just above one in four students. These results represent the school's current attainment; no multi-year trend data is available to show whether performance has been rising, falling, or stable.
The school's data sits within a single-school comparison universe, so positioning against peer schools in Polk County was not possible. Statewide context would suggest these proficiency rates are substantially below typical performance benchmarks. A parent considering Van Wert may want to discuss with the school what academic supports are in place, what challenges the school is working to address, and what progress markers the school is tracking.
Rockmart itself is a town in transition. It has a compact historic downtown anchored by slate-era architecture and the Silver Comet Trail, which draws cyclists through the town's restaurants and parks. Most residents commute by car along U.S. Route 27 or rely on state highways; there is no fixed-route public transit. The town is experiencing growth, with major new residential subdivisions approved and under construction on the north side, driven by remote workers and commuters seeking more affordable housing closer to Atlanta. Housing costs in the area have risen modestly in recent years, and rent and mortgage affordability remain relatively balanced. Manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and retail are the dominant local employment sectors.
The school district itself is facing a significant structural change. In November 2025, voters approved a senior homestead exemption from school property taxes, a decision that will permanently reduce the district's annual revenue. The exemption is graduated by age, with residents 77 and older receiving full exemption up to a certain fair market value, and younger seniors receiving partial relief. District leadership has publicly stated this will eliminate a substantial portion of annual tax revenue going forward, a lasting shift that could affect future funding available for school operations and may eventually place greater property tax burden on younger families with school-age children.
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