FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2025
Contact Information:
Mikkal Hart Murunga
Chief Communications Officer 
404-371-3601 ext. 1098 office
mikkal.hartmurunga@csdecatur.net
 

GaDOE Releases Assessment Results For 2024-25 School Year
CSD Ranks Among Top Two for Grades 3-8 in ELA Statewide, Top Four for Math 
Results Evidence of the District's Literacy Focus

DECATUR, GA — Across all grade levels, City Schools of Decatur (CSD) has shown significant achievement, exceeding state and MetroRESA averages in every content area. This is according to the recently released statewide results from the Georgia Department of Education's 2024-25 Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS). The GMAS includes assessments conducted each spring for Social Studies, Science, Math, and English Language Arts (ELA).

CSD has excelled in ELA, ranking #1 in the Metro RESA region for grades 3-8 and placing among the top five statewide in American Literature for the same grades. Notably, performance in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with Black students improving across all grades, each exceeding pre-pandemic outcomes. The gains in ELA and advancements in Math showcase the district's success in delivering a comprehensive, high-quality academic experience and future readiness. 

Efforts to enhance performance for current 3rd and 4th graders continue, where ELA performance has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. These cohorts faced early reading instruction while masked during critical learning periods, likely contributing to these disparities.

In Math, CSD proudly ranks among the top four districts in the state, with every grade level from 3 to 8 performing at or above pre-pandemic levels. The district also achieved top performance in MetroRESA for grades 3-7 and secured a spot in the top three for 8th-grade Math and Algebra. This strong foundation paves the way for even more remarkable progress in our targeted subgroup. Specifically, Black students in 8th grade scored an impressive 30 percentage points higher in Spring 2025 compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic). Proficiency for Black students has surpassed pre-pandemic outcomes in grades 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, contributing to a broader story in Math. These results highlight significant year-to-year gains and demonstrate sustained progress over time, affirming that our efforts lead to lasting student success.

"We are proud that this progress reflects our ongoing commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students, especially those from historically underserved groups," said Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker. "As we recognize the dedication of our teachers and the support of families towards our students' success, we must continue improving US History and Algebra at the high school level, strengthening literacy for students who were in kindergarten and first grade during the pandemic, and ensuring steady growth for student groups that have been traditionally underserved. Together, we can build on this momentum and help every learner reach their full potential."

Based on the analysis of test scores, CSD students outperformed the State and Metro RESA in all areas.

Additional highlights of the results:

Highlights of our 2024-25 results include:

• #1 ranking in the state for 3rd, 6th, and 8th-grade ELA and HS Biology. 
• #1 Ranking in the Metro RESA for ELA in grades 3-8 and Math in grades 3-7.
• Black students' performance exceeds prepandemic outcomes in Math and ELA in grades 3-8.

Third Grade

• #1 Ranking in both ELA and Math in Metro RESA.
• #1 Ranking in the state for ELA and #3 ranking in the state for Math.
• Achievement levels return to pre-pandemic levels in Math.

Fourth Grade

• Top 10 in the state for both ELA and Math.
•  #1 Ranking in ELA and Math in Metro RESA.
• Achievement levels have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in Math.

Fifth Grade

• Top 5 in the state for both ELA and Math.
• #1 Ranking in ELA and Math in Metro RESA.
• Achievement levels have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in ELA and Math.

Sixth Grade

• #1 Ranking in the State and Metro RESA for ELA.
• #2 Ranking in the State and #1 Ranking in Metro RESA for Math.
• Achievement levels have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in ELA and Math.

Seventh Grade

• #1 Ranking in ELA performance and #2 ranking in Math in the State.
• #1 Ranking in ELA and Math in Metro RESA.
• Achievement levels have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in ELA and Math.

Eighth Grade

• #1 Ranking in ELA in the State; Top 5 in the state for Math.
• #1 Ranking in ELA and #2 in Math in Metro RESA.
• Achievement levels have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in ELA and Math.

High School

• #1 Ranking in the State and Metro RESA in Biology.
• Top ten in American Literature and Algebra in the State; Top five in all EOC tested areas in Metro RESA.

Achievement levels return to pre-pandemic levels in American Literature.
To view the statewide and district-level results, visit: GaDoe GMAS 2025-26 Statewide Scores. To view CSD’s data dashboards, including historical GMAS data, visit the district website.

About City Schools of Decatur
Founded in 1901, City Schools of Decatur is a public charter school district in DeKalb County that consistently ranks among the top ten districts in Georgia. The school district supports approximately 5,500 students living within the city's four-square-mile area, offering public education from 0-3 to pre-K and Kindergarten through 12th grade. CSD employs over 900 full-and part-time staff, including more than 443 teachers and comprises four neighborhood elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, an Early Childhood Learning Center and one virtual academy. With an impressive graduation rate of 95.25%, CSD students consistently outperform state and national averages on standardized tests across all grade levels, resulting in a long history of recognition and awards. The district's reputation for inspiring student growth through meaningful and engaging learning experiences is supported by highly qualified educators and strong community engagement.

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