Chatham County Schools & Education
Chatham County, Georgia
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
52/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
90.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,563
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,405
School Score
52/100
Higher = better
State avg 50/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#71
of 159 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Chatham County
School Verdict
Chatham County performs at an average level with a school score of 52/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.0%.
Funding Context
At $7,563 per pupil, Chatham County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Chatham County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 5% above the Georgia average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Chatham County, Georgia
A Large Coastal Educational Infrastructure
Chatham County supports a robust network of 59 public schools serving 36,342 students. The infrastructure includes 34 elementary, 9 middle, and 13 high schools organized primarily under a single unified district. This extensive system provides diverse educational pathways for the growing coastal population.
Strong Graduation Rates and Targeted Spending
The county achieves a 90.0% graduation rate, surpassing both the Georgia state average of 88.1% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil expenditure of $7,563 is slightly above the state average, it remains well below the national median of $13,000. These investments yield a school score of 54.7, which outpaces the statewide average of 53.4.
Savannah-Chatham Leads the Region
The Savannah-Chatham County district dominates the landscape, managing 58 schools and nearly all 36,326 local students. Charter schools play a significant role here, with 6 institutions representing over 10% of the total school count. This mix offers families a variety of specialized learning environments within the public system.
Historic City Classrooms and Suburban Campuses
Education here has a distinctly urban feel, with 37 schools located in city settings and another 16 in suburbs. The average school size is 616 students, ranging from smaller neighborhood sites to New Hampstead High School with 1,436 students. Only five schools are located in rural areas, reflecting the county's concentrated population.
Settling Near Top-Performing Coastal Schools
Families looking for high graduation rates find Chatham County to be a compelling choice for relocation. Proximity to well-regarded institutions like Rice Creek School or Jenkins High often drives local real estate demand. Explore homes in Savannah or its suburbs to balance historic living with proven academic performance.
School Overview
Total Schools
59
in Chatham County
Total Enrollment
36,342
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
6
10% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Chatham County
Savannah-Chatham County
59 Public Schools in Chatham County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampstead High School | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 1,436 |
| Rice Creek School | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–8 | Primary | 1,167 |
| Godley Station School | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–8 | Primary | 1,135 |
| Jenkins High School | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 1,118 |
| Hesse School | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–8 | Primary | 1,022 |
| Windsor Forest High School | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 1,012 |
| Groves High School | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 992 |
| West Chatham Middle School | Savannah-Chatham County | 6–8 | Middle | 953 |
| Beach High School | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 914 |
| Savannah Arts Academy | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 905 |
| Islands High School | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 862 |
| West Chatham Elementary School | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–5 | Primary | 841 |
| New Hampstead K-8 School | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–8 | Primary | 827 |
| Gould Elementary School | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–5 | Primary | 818 |
| Johnson High School | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 790 |
| Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–8 | Primary | 766 |
| Southwest Elementary School | Savannah-Chatham County | PK–5 | Primary | 766 |
| Savannah-Chatham E-Learning Academy | Savannah-Chatham County | 1–12 | Other | 760 |
| Southwest Middle School | Savannah-Chatham County | 6–8 | Middle | 743 |
| The School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High | Savannah-Chatham County | 9–12 | High | 701 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,563
State avg $7,405
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Chatham County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Chatham County?
How much does Chatham County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Chatham County, Georgia — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Chatham County, Georgia?
Chatham County supports a robust network of 59 public schools serving 36,342 students. The infrastructure includes 34 elementary, 9 middle, and 13 high schools organized primarily under a single unified district. This extensive system provides diverse educational pathways for the growing coastal population.
How do schools in Chatham County perform academically?
The county achieves a 90.0% graduation rate, surpassing both the Georgia state average of 88.1% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil expenditure of $7,563 is slightly above the state average, it remains well below the national median of $13,000. These investments yield a school score of 54.7, which outpaces the statewide average of 53.4.
What are the major school districts in Chatham County, Georgia?
The Savannah-Chatham County district dominates the landscape, managing 58 schools and nearly all 36,326 local students. Charter schools play a significant role here, with 6 institutions representing over 10% of the total school count. This mix offers families a variety of specialized learning environments within the public system.
What is the school experience like in Chatham County?
Education here has a distinctly urban feel, with 37 schools located in city settings and another 16 in suburbs. The average school size is 616 students, ranging from smaller neighborhood sites to New Hampstead High School with 1,436 students. Only five schools are located in rural areas, reflecting the county's concentrated population.
How can I find homes near good schools in Chatham County, Georgia?
Families looking for high graduation rates find Chatham County to be a compelling choice for relocation. Proximity to well-regarded institutions like Rice Creek School or Jenkins High often drives local real estate demand. Explore homes in Savannah or its suburbs to balance historic living with proven academic performance.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.