The top reported proficiency rate is 71% in Social studies. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Merry Elementary School
Merry Elementary School serves grades pre-K through fifth grade in Augusta and sits well below the academic performance baseline for elementary schools in Richmond County. The school serves a student body that is overwhelmingly economically disadvantaged, with an exceptionally high share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is small to moderate for its grade band, with students distributed across seven grade levels.
On the most recent state assessments in math, English language arts, and science, proficiency rates were low. In math, a small share of students in grades three through five scored at proficient levels. English language arts performance was slightly higher but still well below what state assessments typically show in stronger elementary buildings. Science results were similarly modest. The only recent comparison data available is social studies from an earlier state assessment, which showed much stronger proficiency, though that test is no longer administered statewide, so direct comparison to current results is not possible. Across the tested subjects reported on the current Georgia Milestones, the school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among Richmond County's districts, though this reflects the county's own low overall achievement; in statewide terms, Merry's results are substantially below grade-level benchmarks.
The student body is predominantly Black, with smaller shares of White, Hispanic, and multiracial students. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status were not available. The school operates as a regular public elementary school with no charter, magnet, or specialized designation.
A significant change is coming. The Richmond County School System's recently approved Long-Range Facilities Master Plan will close Merry Elementary at the end of the 2025-26 school year, effective at the beginning of 2026-27. This closure means families currently zoned to Merry will be reassigned to another elementary school under redrawn attendance zones. The district is using voter-approved education sales tax funds to build new Barton Chapel Elementary and a districtwide College and Career Academy at the Josey/Murphey campus, so the closure is paired with new facility construction. A parent or resident considering Merry should reach out directly to Richmond County Schools to understand where their child would be reassigned and what the transition timeline looks like.
Augusta itself is Georgia's third-largest city, with a downtown core along the Savannah River anchored by Broad Street, home to restaurants, breweries, museums, and a revitalized civic landscape. Downtown is experiencing significant residential growth through new apartment construction, and the area is pursuing workforce housing initiatives as well. The broader region is anchored by healthcare, military, and government employment, including Augusta University's medical campus and Fort Eisenhower. Housing costs in the area remain affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. The school district has maintained a traditional academic calendar for the 2025-26 year, which may matter for families planning summer schedules.
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