FCS Reports Systemwide Gains in Student Performance on 2025 Milestones
FCS Reports Systemwide Gains in Student Performance on 2025 Milestones
Fulton County, GA – Fulton County Schools (FCS) students demonstrated notable academic progress on the 2025 Georgia Milestones assessments, with gains recorded across all core subject areas and most grade levels.
The district’s overall results show significant improvements in reading, math, science, and social studies. These outcomes reflect the impact of focused instructional strategies and the continued efforts of teachers, school leaders, and district staff to support academic recovery and growth.
“These results confirm what we already knew. Our students are capable of extraordinary growth when given the right support,” said Dr. Mike Looney, superintendent of Fulton County Schools. “I am proud of the hard work happening in every school and encouraged by the momentum we are building. We will continue to invest in strategies that help every child reach their full potential.”
Board President Kristin McCabe added, “This progress is a direct reflection of the dedication of our teachers, principals, and staff, and the trust our families place in our schools. As a Board, we are committed to supporting continued academic growth and ensuring that every student has access to high-quality learning opportunities across all subjects.”
Reading Growth Surpasses ELA Trends
One of the most encouraging trends is the growth in reading achievement. Students in grades 3 through 7 showed strong increases in the percentage reading at or above grade level. While eighth grade reading declined slightly, a deeper look at cohort data reveals year-over-year growth for the same group of students, with reading proficiency rising from 77.2% to 77.7%.
This outpaces the growth seen in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency, signaling that literacy instruction is gaining traction and laying the groundwork for future academic success.
Encouraging Signs in ELA Growth
Although overall ELA proficiency remained flat in 2025, fourth and seventh grade students showed clear gains. More importantly, growth data tells a stronger story. Over 71% of students in grades 4 through 8 achieved typical or high growth in ELA, exceeding the state norm of 65%.
Sixty-six of 76 FCS schools surpassed the state’s benchmark for ELA growth. These trends suggest that students are building skills that will lead to higher levels of proficiency in the years ahead.
The Georgia Department of Education highlighted the literacy gains at College Park Elementary, noting their increased reading proficiency rates. This success was supported by the impact of the literacy coach position funded by the Georgia Department of Education.
LINK: In Between the Pages: Reading Success Stories in Literacy Coaching Schools
Math, Science, and Social Studies Show Strong Gains
Student proficiency increased in every grade level for math, science, and social studies. The most notable jumps were seen in eighth grade science and social studies, with gains of nearly six and five percentage points, respectively.
High school students also made progress in key end-of-course subjects such as biology, U.S. history, and algebra. These results underscore a systemwide improvement in student mastery of essential content across grade levels.
These outcomes reflect the strength of FCS instructional strategies and the commitment of staff across all schools. The district will continue building on these gains through targeted support, classroom innovation, and a shared focus on helping every student grow.