The Augusta area is a very family-friendly location. Part of the reason for this is our schools! Choosing where your child goes to elementary school is such an important decision because it serves as the foundation for their education!
Whether you prefer public or private education; religious or nonsectarian; Richmond or Columbia County – there are lots of elementary school options to choose from!
Here are some of the top elementary schools in the Augusta, GA area!
Richmond County School System
| School | Location | Approx. Number of Students | School Climate Rating |
| Lake Forest Hills Elementary | 3140 Lake Forest Dr, Augusta, GA 30909 | 530 |  |
| C.T. Walker Magnet School | 1301 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, GA 30901 | 750 K-8th |  |
| Freedom Park Elementary | 345 42nd St, Augusta, GA 30905 | 720 K-8th | |
Lake Forest Hills Elementary
Lake Forest Hills is one of the best schools in the Richmond County School System! This is a great option to consider if you are zoned for it!
Its mission is to “develop life-long learners who are knowledgeable, compassionate, active, and globally responsible in an ever-changing world through partnerships with home, school and community.”
Their website also states that they received a 4 out of 5 star school climate rating and their students showed academic growth higher than 73% of schools in the state.
Click here for a video tour!
C.T. Walker Magnet School
C.T. Walker Magnet School is another great option in Richmond County!
It was named a National Magnet School of Excellence in 2014, 2016, and 2017, as well as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2019.
To attend C.T. Walker, students must meet certain academic requirements, and parents or guardians must fill out an application. Students who meet the criteria are selected through a lottery.
For more details click here.
There is good news if your elementary student loves C.T. Walker! The school goes up to 8th grade!
Freedom Park Elementary School
Freedom Park Elementary School is another K-8th grade school in Richmond County.
It is located on Fort Gordon’s military base and was given the Military Flagship School Award by the Georgia Department of Education.
In 3rd-8th grades, students have one-to-one technology. This means that every student has a laptop that they can take to and from school, free of charge.
Students from military families living on Fort Gordon can attend Freedom Park. Families who live off base may apply for any vacant spots and are selected through a lottery.
For more frequently asked questions about Freedom Park, click here.
Private Elementary Schools in the Augusta Area
| School | Location | Religious Affiliation | Rating |
| Episcopal Day School | 2248 Walton WayAugusta, GA 30904 | Christian – Episcopal | Greatschools.org: Niche.com: |
| Augusta Prep | 285 Flowing Wells Road, Augusta, GA 30907 | None | Greatschools.org: Niche.com: |
| Saint Mary’s | 1220 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904 | Christian – Catholic | Niche.com: |
| Westminster Schools of Augusta | 3067 Wheeler Road, Augusta, GA 30909 | Christian – Presbyterian | Greatschools.org: Niche.com: |
Episcopal Day School
Episcopal Day School (EDS) was founded as one of the Church of the Good Shepherd’s most important ministries: to provide children with a Christian foundation for life. They serve students as young as two all the way through 8th grade.
EDS students attend chapel and religion classes weekly, but EDS still welcomes families and students from all faith backgrounds! The school also offers several scholarships and assistance for students whose families may not be able to afford tuition otherwise.
Amy Tomblinson, the Head of the Lower School, writes, “Personal responsibility for learning is fostered through classrooms that are safe for students to explore, ask questions, and experiment with individual and collective ideas.”
Fun fact: 53 EDS graduates have gone on to become valedictorians or salutatorians of their high school in the past 20 years!
View parent testimonials below:
Augusta Prep
Augusta Prep was the CSRA’s first non-sectarian private school. It is, however, guided by a strong set of values, epitomized by its motto: “To be, rather than to seem.”
Augusta Prep is ranked as the number one K-12 private school in the Augusta area. It has a teacher ratio of 7:1, as well as a 100% college acceptance rate. This is a great place to get your students started on the right track!
In her welcome on Augusta Prep’s website, Julianne Ingram, Head of the Lower School, writes that it is characterized by:
- Small class sizes and individualized instruction
- An appreciation of the talents, strengths, and contributions of each student
- A commitment to community service at all grade levels
- A warm and welcoming community
- Much more!
Click here to schedule a tour!
Saint Marys on the Hill Catholic School
St. Mary’s on the Hill Catholic School is a K-8th private school located in the Summerville area of Augusta.
Its mission is to “provide an outstanding Catholic education where we strive to embrace our calling as Christian disciples and reach our full potential in a rigorous spiritual and academic environment.”
Many students who attend St. Mary’s go on to attend Aquinas High School, which is also affiliated with the Catholic Church.
They are accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED).
They have a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio and provide 1:1 technology for grades K-8th.
Learn more about their admissions here.
Westminster Schools of Augusta
Westminster Schools of Augusta is a Christ-centered school that serves students from ages 3 through 12th grade.
As their Head of School, Dr. Shawn Brower, writes in his welcome, “The heartbeat of the school community is Gospel-driven, relationally focused, and grace-filled in attitude and action.â€
70% of Westminster’s teachers have an advanced degree and the average years of experience is 15 years. 48% of their teachers have taught at Westminster for over 5 years, which is a testament to the school’s mission and vision.
John Petry, the Lower School Principal, writes, “The Lower School faculty and administration work in close partnership with parents, communicate early and often . . . This teamwork approach fosters a strong mutual commitment to each child’s learning experience.â€
Visit their admissions home page here.
Columbia County School System – Public Elementary Schools
| School | Location | Approx. Number of Students | School Climate Rating |
| Stevens Creek Elementary | 3780 Evans to Locks Rd, Augusta, GA 30907 | 860 | |
| River Ridge Elementary | 4109 Mullikin Rd, Evans, GA 30809 | 590 | |
| Blue Ridge Elementary | 550 Blue Ridge Dr, Evans, GA 30809 | 596 | |
| Greenbrier Elementary | 5116 Riverwood Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809 | 633 | |
Stevens Creek Elementary
When thinking of outstanding elementary schools in Columbia County, Stevens Creek is usually at the top of most people’s list!
With an impressive five-star climate rating, the 2021 Blue Ribbon School Award, Westinghouse Excellence in Teaching Grants, and Golden Apple Teacher recipients, it is not hard to see why!
Its mission is “to challenge and empower students to learn and excel for a lifetime.” Offerings including Spanish classes, the Horizons Gifted Program, and their Perennial Math Competition help students do just that!
They also offer chorus, garden club, nutrition advisory council, student council, run hard club, and safety patrol to students.
View their school report card here.
River Ridge Elementary
River Ridge Elementary is another great elementary school in Columbia County! They have attained the highest CCRPI score district-wide among elementary schools for 7 years!
River Ridge’s purpose is “to cultivate responsible, respectful, and eager-to-learn citizens.”
To work towards that goal, the school offers activities for students that include Green Patrol, Safety Patrol, Student Council, Beta Club and more!
Special events include a fine arts night, the Boosterthon fun run, the annual father-daughter dance, mother-son maynia, a book fair twice a year, and a career fair.
Take a virtual tour of River Ridge here.
View their school report card here.
Blue Ridge Elementary
Blue Ridge Elementary is one of the smaller elementary schools in Columbia County, which helps make it such a tight-knit community beloved by families and staff alike!
Blue Ridge strives to instill “The Bobcat Way into students: Be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Succeed.”
These values shape the school climate and culture of the school.
The school is proud to have:
- 96% daily student attendance
- 17 teachers with Gifted Endorsements
- 36 teachers with Masters degrees or higher
- 11 clubs offered
- 2020 – 2021 Columbia County School District Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Ashley Fryer (1st grade)
View Blue Ridge’s school report card here.
Greenbrier Elementary
Greenbrier Elementary is a very popular school in the area! Young families are flocking to some of Columbia County’s newest neighborhoods so their children can attend.
Its mission is to “Go Beyond Excellence by growing minds to reach potential, building futures for tomorrow, and empowering success in every child, every day.”
Notable programs include gifted education, National Junior Beta Club, Math Olympiad, Future Problem Solving Program, Art Club, Chorus, Run Club, Cheer Club, and Accelerated Reading.
They also have:
- 42 highly qualified staff members
- 14 gifted endorsed teachers
- 1:1 technology in upper-grade levels
- 100 iPads for educational instruction
Send your kids back to school with confidence! Check out these Amazon links to our favorite:
- Backpack (multiple colors)
- Lunch Box (multiple patterns)
- Water Bottle (multiple colors)
- School Supply Kit
- Headphones
Everyone is sure to be hungry after a long day at school! Take a look at the following articles for some dinner suggestions!
Augusta Planet’s Quick Guide to the Best Pizza in Augusta, GA.
Best Food in Augusta, GA: A Local’s Simple Guide
6 Solid Chinese Takeout Spots in Augusta, GA
11 Exciting Restaurants in Evans, GA
And don’t forget dessert!
