South Fulton's middle and high schools have finished in the lower third of a foundation's rankings for the best schools.

Each year, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation analyzes each of the state's schools using test scores and poverty rates to present an overview of how schools rank across the state.

This year, out of 416 middle schools in the state, Bear Creek Middle School in Fairburn ranked 336th.

The foundation averages the math and reading scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. The report card also figures in the percentage of fifth grade students with scores above the 50th percentile in reading and math.

The study also looks at the poverty rate for each school. The poverty rate is determined by the number of students eligible for free or reduced lunches.

In the high school rankings, Creekside In Fairburn ranked 212th out of 319 schools across the state.

Leaders throughout South Fulton have been looking for a way to improve the area's schools and newly elected County Commissioner Bill Edwards has pledged to work with the school board to try and improve the schools.